About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Parallels Desktop 4.0 for the Mac is a vast improvement over the previous version. Version 4 significantly improves performance and stability, two areas that were less than impressive in the previous version.

Upgrading from version 3 to version 4 is a no-brainer. For new users, Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is as good a virtualization product as its main competitor, VMWare’s Fusion 2.0.

In many ways, it’s actually a better product than Fusion.

Publisher's Site

Pros

• Can run Windows, Linux, and OS X Server as virtual machines on a Mac
• Supports up to eight CPUs
• Supports 32-bit or 64-bit guest OSes
• Supports accelerated 3D graphics (DirectX 9, DirectX Pixel Shader 2, and OpenGL 2)
• Can create automatic snapshots (backups) of guest OSes

Cons

• Guest OSes must be updated to new format
• Update process is long and can produce errors
• Graphics performance is still no match for native Windows graphics capabilities

Description

• Intel-based Macs running OS X 10.4.11 or later
• Up to 8 GB of RAM can be assigned for use by the guest OS
• Includes Kaspersky Internet Security application
• Works with most USB devices
• Can use your iPhone to remotely manage your Windows environment
• Shares files, folders, and application data between your Mac and a guest OS

Guide Review - Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac

Parallels Desktop allows Intel Mac users to run both OS X and Windows (or Linux) at the same time. The advantages of using virtualization software to simultaneously run multiple OSes can’t be emphasized enough.

Virtualization software lets you easily share information between two operating systems, and easily run applications that may not be available for the Mac.

Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is quite an improvement over version 3, which was known for occasionally freezing or even crashing the Mac. Version 4 not only brings excellent stability to the product; it has also managed to improve performance, in support for up to eight CPUs, in much better memory management, and in significant improvements in graphics support. Parallels Desktop 4.0 now supports accelerated 3D graphics (DirectX 9, DirectX Shader 2, and OpenGL 2). All of these improvements mean that many graphics-intensive Windows applications that didn’t work before under Parallels are much more likely to run without a hitch under Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac.

One major weakness exists in the upgrade process. If you have a previous version of Parallels installed, version 4 will completely replace it, so make sure you have a backup before installing. Also, when upgrading existing guest OSes, Parallels can run into problems if a guest OS isn’t configured as expected. If you have Windows set up for multiple user accounts, or to require log-in, there’s a good chance the update process will fail. Once again, be sure you have a backup of your guest OSes before you start the update process.

Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is a highly recommended update for existing users. New users will find the latest version a good choice for running Windows or Linux OSes.

Parallels Desktop 4.0 is available for $79.99; the update price for existing users is $39.99.

Publisher's Site