AppleInsider Staff
The next version of popular virtualization software Parallels Desktop, which allows users to run Microsoft Windows applications natively on their Mac without the need to reboot, is scheduled to ship the first week of September and boast a number of new features, including optimization for Apple's forthcoming OS X 10.9 Mavericks.
Parallels Desktop 9, which is currently available to select testers in beta form, is also said to feature copy and paste support for Mac OS X virtual machines. The new software also has an improved "Coherence View," which makes Windows applications appear as if they are running natively on the Mac.
The new version of Parallels also reportedly includes improvements to creating and customizing key commands, as well as an improved interface that makes it easier to install Windows on a Mac without a DVD SuperDrive. Apple has been working to eliminate integrated legacy disc drives from its Mac lineup.
Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac is slated to become available in the first week of September — specifically, a release date of Thursday, Sept. 5 has been leaked through some online resellers. Parallels has said that customers who buy the latest version, Parallels Desktop 8, from an authorized reseller between now and Oct. 31 will receive a free upgrade to Parallels Desktop 9 with a dated proof of purchase.
The last major version, Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac, debuted last September, featuring 30 percent faster 3D graphics and 25 percent faster startup of Windows. It was also updated in June to work with developer pre-release builds of OS X Mavericks.
Parallels Desktop 8 also features support for Microsoft's latest Windows 8 platform, and gives users the ability to utilize the dictation feature in OS X in Windows applications. It also supports the high-resolution Retina displays on Apple's latest high-end MacBook Pros.
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
Charles Martin
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Wesley Hilliard
28 Comments
VMWare 5.0.3 has been working for me with Mavericks without any issues and without 'yet another' paid update.
VMWare 5.0.3 has been working for me with Mavericks without any issues and without 'yet another' paid update.
Article states that v8 was updated to work with Mavericks. No paid update required if the additional features do not interest you.
I wish that the developers would add one single item to Preferences - *DISABLE COHERENCE BY DEFAULT* Damn, I hate that shit.
I find that running Windows using either Fusion or Parallels slows down my system to a crawl. It doesn't matter how I try and configure it, Windows runs slow and OSX runs slow. Windows also takes as much CPU as it can and I have 8GB. The best way to run Windows on a Mac is using Boot Camp but that defeats the purpose most people have. They just want to run a couple Windows applications when needed. Even so, every time I launch Windows under Fusion, I have to go through the normal patching process (OS and anti-virus) before doing anything. I might as well just reboot and let everything run faster.
Rob53, you're doing something wrong then or have a problem. I've been running it for years without and speed issues. I would probably recommend at you bring your ram up to 16gb. But even still, it should not be that bad with 8.