Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac [Old Version]

by Parallels Software

Product Features

• Software for seamlessly running Windows applications on a Mac--without rebooting
• Easily move old PC to a Mac; install a fresh copy of Windows on your Mac with just 3 clicks
• Run Windows and Mac OS X with its applications side-by-side; make Windows look and feel like a Mac
• Instantly access data on Mac or Windows or connect external USB device and choose connection
• Remotely access Windows on Mac with the Parallels Mobile iPhone/iPad app

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.5 x 7.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0041DVQ8M
• Item model number: PDFM6XL-BX1-EN
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 23, 2010
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (107 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #5 in Software > Utilities > Cross Platform

Product Description

Amazon.com

The award-winning Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac is the # 1 choice of millions of customers worldwide to seamlessly run Windows applications on a Mac -- without rebooting

Just because you need to work with PC programs doesn't mean you have to do it on a PC. Parallels, the company that originally gave users the flexibility to work any way they want, introduces Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac, the most talked-about, award-winning way to seamlessly run Windows applications on a Mac.

Seamlessly run Windows applications on a Mac -- without rebooting.

Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac

Features:

• Just 3 clicks and a fresh copy of Windows is installed on your Mac. Moving your old PC to a Mac is a breeze
• Seamlessly run Windows and Mac OS X with its applications side-by-side and benefit from the best-in-class integration and make Windows look and feel more Mac-like.
• Instantly access your data either on Mac or Windows or just connect your external USB device and choose if you want it connected to Windows or Mac.
• Remotely access your Windows on Mac with the Parallels Mobile iPhone/iPad app
• Give your Mac a Windows 3D experience that's unlike anything else with support for Open GL 2.1, DirectX 9c/9Ex Shader Model 3 together with 5.1 surround sound for gaming, music, movies or 3D applications

Windows on Mac, Smarter

The possibilities are endless when you can drag-and-drop files or copy-and-paste content between Windows and Mac. And it's simple to view and control Windows programs in Expose and Spaces or launch the Windows Start menu or Windows applications right from the Dock

The new Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac delivers an unprecedented 80+ new features and enhancements designed with the Mac user in mind.

Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac

• New: Enjoy full control and access of your Windows applications on your Mac on-the-go with the Parallels Mobile App for your iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad.
• New: Immerse yourself in your favorite game or watch videos and movies with 5.1 surround sound
• New: Don't worry about learning Windows keyboard shortcuts. Use OS X shortcuts to make Windows applications work the way you want.
• New: the full 64-bit engine lets you take advantage of all the capabilities of your 64-bit Mac for the fastest performance yet
• New: protect your data from being stolen by using encryption for your Windows applications and data and receive complimentary anti-virus protections from Kaspersky for both, Mac and Windows
• Faster than ever: Boot Windows 41% faster and enjoy 3D graphics nearly 40% faster than the previous version

Easy to set up, easy to use
Get your Windows up and running on your Mac in no time at all. Move your existing Windows PC to a Mac or install a fresh copy of Windows XP, Windows Vista or Windows 7 in just 3-clicks

The fastest just got faster
Enjoy 3D graphics nearly 40% better and booting Windows is 41% faster than the previous version. From your productivity programs, 3D graphics applications to playing the latest PC games - no compromise in the speed at which your programs perform

More Mac-Like Appearance
Work the way that’s best for you with a custom blend how much Windows and Mac you want. Use Apple gestures in Windows apps, map your keyboard shortcuts or use Apple Remote to control Windows apps. Even use OS X keyboard shortcuts in Windows applications

Brilliant graphics, perfect sound
Give your Mac a Windows 3D graphics experience that’s unlike anything else! Support for DirectX 9.0c/9Ex Shader Model 3.0 along with 5.1 surround sound create a powerful graphics experience and immersive environment for gaming, music and movies

Unmatched Compatibility

Run literally thousands of Windows applications like Microsoft Office, Outlook, Access, Project or programs like Quicken, Quick Books, AutoCAD, Revit, Corel Draw and many, many more -- all at near native speed on your Mac, and of course without rebooting.
Never compromise! From PC-only productivity software to graphic intense applications and games, the new Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac has you covered.

Why is Parallels Desktop for Mac the #1 choice if customers worldwide?

Parallels defined the category to run Windows on Mac without rebooting. Parallels Desktop for Mac has always been designed and developed with the Mac user in mind. Parallels invented unique technologies that defined the way you work using two operating systems and its applications side-by-side, without compromising performance, like:

• Coherence -- integrating the operating system instead of isolating it
• Fast-Lane Architecture -- enhancing user speed and performance to improve user experience
• Multi-touch trackpad gestures that allow you to navigate through Windows applications like Mac applications
• With Crystal Mode Windows applications look like Mac applications
• Support for Aero and Flip 3D for a full Windows 7 experience on Mac
• Access to Windows applications on the Mac with the Parallels Mobil iPhone/iPad App, available in the iTunes store

Who is Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac for?

Whether you are a home user, a business professional, a student, a passionate gamer or your company plans to work with Mac or already has Mac. With Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac you simply get the fastest, smartest and most powerful way to run Windows on your Mac without rebooting.

Includes complimentary essential Windows Software

• Kaspersky Internet Security 2011 for Windows
• Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Mac
• Acronis True Image Home 2010 for backup and recovery for Windows
• Acronis Disc Direktor 2011 Home disk partitioning software for Windows

We got Developers and Administrators covered!

Virtualize today's leading server OSs (Leopard Server, Snow Leopard Server and Windows Server 2008/2003) in a guest environment and take advantage of enhanced business-class functionality (PXE boot, clone VM tools & CLI and scripting support) to address a wider-range of development and testing needs -- without adding new hardware.
Benefit from:

• A full 64-bit engine
• Suspend of Boot Camp partition
• Windows filter paravirtualization
• SATA support for non-Windows guests
• Paravirtualized e1000 driver for Linux and Windows guests
• Virtual machine encryption
• NX/XD bit support in virtual machines

With Millions of customers worldwide, the award-winning Parallels Desktop for Mac is the Nr. 1 choice of customers to run Windows on Mac -- without rebooting

*3D and graphics performance tests conducted with 3DMark 2006 Professional. Select tests by Crimson Consulting Group, July 2010.

Product Description

Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac is simply the fastest, smartest and most powerful way to run Windows applications on a Mac, even the most demanding graphical ones, side by side without rebooting. You can even access your Windows programs from your iPad/iPhone with our Parallels Mobile app. No wonder customers have made Parallels number one.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

127 of 132 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Parallels Desktop 6 - A Solid and Mature Release September 14, 2010

By William K. Harris

Length: 9:41 Mins

Parallels Desktop 6 continues to improve on an already stellar product through a full 64bit implementation bringing enhanced performance, expanding PC Hardware support and simple ease of use. Parallels sets the standards for virtualization software and pushes the gap even further apart from other virtualization solutions. In this video I discuss the user interface, new features to version 6, and overall performance and perspectives on their latest version.

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best for Running VM's November 27, 2010

By iMe

One of the benefits of running a Mac is the ability to run our favorite OS, Snow Leopard, and have the ability to run others, such as most versions of Linux (which I've tried and don't like - sorry) and really all versions of Windows. Sure, we can use Boot Camp, which has been shipping as part of the Mac OS for some time, and simply boot Windows separately; however, most of the time it may make more sense to run Windows and OS X hand in hand. Such a time can be when we have the Mac version of Adobe's CS suite, and perhaps some Mac exclusive software, but still need to work with Windows only software, such as Visio, VIsual Studio, or SQL - just to name a few.

There are a few options, with VMware and Parallels perhaps being the most popular, and I have used both. VMware was my favorite since the first version, and I have had versions 2 and 3 as well. VMware does get the job done; however one day I ran into an issue. At work we use Microsoft's Virtual PC (for Windows), and having a Mac I had to move all the virtual images into my machine so I could work and explore at home or on the go. I was unable to move the images and use them with VMware, so I figured I would give Parallels a try and downloaded the trial version. Parallels was able to recognize and accept the images that had been used with VirtualPC without any issues. There were images that ranged from 15-80GB, the contained Windows XP, VIsta and 7, as well as Windows Server 2003 and 2008 R2 - each image containing different beta pre-release software, SharePoint 2007 Enterprise (MOSS), SharePoint 2003 (WSS), SSIS ad SSRS (SQL stuff) configurations (although some images were basic, just running Office or VIsual Studio). I was super excited to see Parallels accept every singe OS and configuration without issues, the only thing was that many of these virtual images asked to be reactivated or at times even for the product key; which was not a problem since I had all in hand.

Not only was Parallels able to recognize these images, but it also takes more advantage of the Mac's hardware, such as the GPU (graphics); therefore, resulting in better CPU performance - not really slowing down the virtual machine nor the native OS. There are times, such as conferences and training sessions, where I run Microsoft software natively in OS X, and although VMware was able to do this, it was rather slow.

VMwre and Parellels boh get the job done; however, if you're in the technology industry and need to move virtual images from computer to computer often, than Parallels would be the best choice. I have a Quad Core i7 iMac with 16GB of RAM, which is amazing (I can run multiple images at once); however I do use my 11" MacBook Air a lot since it's the best to carry around. As many know, the Air's hardware is limited due to it's portability, I can allocate 2-3GB to many of the virtual machines I put on it and still runs them better than my MacBook Pro (got replaced with a more powerful iMac and more portable Air) used to run with VMware. I know the solid state drive helps, but Parallels just takes so much more advantage of the hardware.

The only thing I dislike about Parallels is how it thinks for me when setting up a virtual environment. If not careful setting it up, it seems to assume that you want to share between the native and virtual OS - so it creates a local folder on the Mac. This can also result in using the wrong software at the time; for example, I was running WIndows 7 with Excel 2010 the other day. I saved and closed the file in WIndows, and when I double clicked it to reopen, it kept opening in Office 2011 on the Mac OS as opposed to WIndows; I just had to manually open Excel 2010 in Windows and locate the file which was in the WIndows OS - not bad, but annoying, and also embarrassing if you're presenting at the time and don't need to confuse the audience with Mac vs WIndows stuff.

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent! September 16, 2010

By LeonD

I am a recent Parallels 5.0 user. I am amazed at how much better Parallels is than Vmware and have been very happy with it so far, including the speed. I used to carry around a small Dell laptop to give demos to clients but now all I need is my Mac. Very happy. But for all you Amazon shoppers, my advice is to buy 5.0 since it's so much cheaper and you get an automatic free upgrade to 6.0. It's crazy to pay full price when you can get it for less. It's even cheaper than the $49 Parallels wanted to charge my friend for an upgrade. All in all, very happy so far with 6.0 and definitely recommend it.