Parallels 4.0 sees 50% Speed Increase

[AppleChic]

Today, Parallels has announced its newest version, Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac, that lets users run Windows, Linux and other operating systems side-by-side with Mac OS X. This version of the virtualization software is more feature rich and promises a 50% boost in speed.

Just some of the core advances made available in this version 4.0 are; DirectX 9, DirectX Pixel Shader 2.0 and OpenGL 2.0 support, which makes video performance faster, and Adaptive Hypervisor, which allows users to allocate resources to a specific operating system dynamically and with only a moment’s notice. These new features work together to optimize the software so it not only sees the speed increase but also consumes 15-30% less resources than earlier versions.

Mac users are expected in particular to benefit from the new version as another new feature called Parallels PowerSaver, will show a 20% improvement in a Mac’s battery life. Also, FastLane Architecture streamlines a Mac’s speed and performance by fully integrating the latest Mac hardware, making the most of the up to 8-way true multi-core CPUs and 8 GB RAM.

Michael Rose, Industry Analyst at the research firm, IDC comments:

“The growth, in both performance and ease of use, of desktop virtualization software is making it easier for Windows users to adopt Macintosh computers. The availability of this technology is one of many factors driving growth in the adoption of Mac desktops and notebooks, for which shipments have grown 46.6% between the first half of 2007 and the first half of 2008, according to our data."

Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is available for immediate download for $79.99 from Parallels' website. Current Parallels owners can upgrade for only $39.99 – a 50% off promotional price available until November 30, 2008, and users that purchased version 3.0 on or after September 1, 2008, are qualified for a free upgrade to version 4.0. New users can try out a free, fully-functional copy for 15 days.


Source:
AppleInsider | Parallels Desktop 4.0 gets better graphics, 50% speed boost

[mrsidewayzz]

sounds good for those mac lovers with needs of windows. ill look into it.

[jose3290]

Does this now make it faster than Vmware fusion?

[ozzy212]

note , this has been posted twice.

admin edit: yah caught that

[cricketlang]

ive been a fan of parallels on windows for a while so that i can test applications and stuff in a safe environment and i have never had any problems with speed whatsover. ive actually been able to run an entire virtual machine off of a flash drive. Glad to see they are still making improvements