Looking to use both Windows and Mac OS software on a single machine? Well Parallels Inc., has announced the Version 3.0 of their popular Parallels Desktop software for the Mac platform. Version 3.0 of the Parallels Desktop software is a completely new version and is the first major update to the Desktop application since the June of 2006. This version comes with 50 new features, enhancements, and improvements that make running Windows and Mac software simultaneously on a single Intel based Mac easier than ever before. As always, Parallels utilizes Intel Virtualization Technology to deliver a fast platform for running multiple OS’s at the same time.

Features of Parallels Desktop for the Mac version 3.0 include:

  • SmartSelect – the ability to open any file using any application from either OS X or Windows platform – no matter which OS the file is from.
  • SnapShots – A new security and backup tool that makes Parallels virtual machines “bulletproof.” Snapshots instantly save the state of a virtual machine’s memory, settings and hard disk. Users can easily revert back to a VM state that did work if something should go wrong
  • Security Manager – Built in management tool that helps users customize the level of interaction between Windows and OS X
  • Hardware accelerated 3D graphics – Strong support for OpenGL and DirectX – play popular Windows only 3D games on the Mac platform
  • Parallels Explorer – Users can view and modify the contents of their Windows virtual hard drive using Parallels Explorer without having to launch Windows.
  • Vista Boo Camp Support – Existing Windows Vista Boot Camp partitions as well as Windows XP Boot Camp partitions can be run in a Parallels Virtual Machine

You can find more information about Parallels Desktop 3.0 features and improvements here:

Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac costs $79.99. New users can test a free fully functional copy of the software for 15 days. Upgrades to version 3 cost $49.99.

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