Parallels ups Windows experience in Desktop 6 for Mac

Parallels has announced Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac, the latest version of its software that lets Mac users run Windows apps seamlessly alongside native Mac apps using virtualisation.

Available from 14 September, Desktop 6 for Mac delivers advances in the areas that matter most for users, which the firm listed as productivity, performance and graphics, as well as making Windows apps fit even more seamlessly into the Mac host.

Also announced today is Parallels Desktop 6 Switch to Mac Edition, which bundles a high-speed USB cable plus tools to convert an existing Windows PC into a virtual machine running on a Mac.

The new version is now based on a full 64-bit engine to take advantage of the capabilities of 64-bit Macs, Parallels said, with 3D graphics performance boosted by 40 per cent and Windows boot-up time by 41 per cent.

"Performance, performance, performance is what customers told us they want," said Jack Zubarev, president of marketing and alliances at Parallels.

The firm has also enhanced usability in the new release, adding the ability for Mac customers to use OS X keyboard shortcuts with Windows applications and the Spotlight tool to find them.

Windows games now have 5.1 surround sound support when running on the Mac, while virtual machines can be protected using encryption.

The parental controls of the Mac host are now extended to cover the Windows environment, and users can lock the Windows settings so that only the admin account can make changes.

Windows apps can also now print directly to any printer attached to the host Mac via a driver added automatically by Parallels.

New in the Switch to Mac Edition is the ability to choose what gets migrated from an existing Windows PC, including documents, pictures and even browser favourites.

The full retail price of Desktop 6 for Mac is $79.99 (£52), while the Switch to Mac Edition is $99.99 (£65). Upgrades for existing users cost $49.99 (£33) and can be downloaded immediately, Parallels said.