Parallels, Inc. has released Parallels Desktop for Mac Beta 3 (Build 3106). As with all previous updates, all registered Parallels customers will receive the final version of this update free!
Features and enhancements introduced in this Beta include:
• USB 2.0 support – “Plug and play” popular USB devices like external hard drives, printers, and scanners, and use them at full native speed. Note: Current Build 3106 doesn’t support isochronous devices such as web cameras, microphones, etc.
• Full-feature virtual CD/DVD drive – Burn CDs and DVDs directly in virtual machines, and play any copy-protected CD or DVD just like you would on a real PC
• Improved Coherence mode – The groundbreaking feature that lets you run Windows applications without seeing Windows just got better! Learn more about Coherence >>
• Better Boot Camp support – Using your Boot Camp partition in Parallels Desktop is now easier than ever. Beta3’s Boot Camp support includes:
– Full support for FAT32 and NTFS partitions
– Easy offline configuration. Simply tell Parallels Desktop that you want to create a virtual machine from a Boot Camp Partition and click start. No complicated set up required!
– No need to re-activate Windows each time you switch between Boot Camp and Parallels. Activate Windows only once inside Parallels and work in both environments
• Transporter Beta3 bundled – migrate your real Windows PC, or existing VMware or Virtual PC VMs to Parallels virtual machines! Learn more about Transporter Beta3 >>
• Added keyboard remapping configuration
• Lots of various fixes
More info and download link here.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
VMware updates Fusion Beta, releases public beta – December 22, 2006
Parallels releases Parallels Desktop for Mac Beta 2 – December 21, 2006
If they could just give us a mac look and feel for windoze apps I might even consider it…nahhh—not as long as purchasing windoze is a part of the deal. Never. Absolutely never.
I have $200 to burn on Windows XP and an Intel-based Mac, but can’t think of a single reason to load Windows.
Justified:
Here are three good reasons:
1) When you have to use a Windows-only program for school or work
2) Web programmers can use it to test sites on PC browsers
3) It gives switchers an insecurity-blanket while they get used to OSX
The fact that Windows is evil and that the world would be better without it doesn’t mean that there aren’t practical reasons why Mac users might need to run it from time to time.
Ashami,
I don’t use Windows-only programs for school or work, I’m not a web programmer, and I’m not a switcher.
I was speaking only for myself.
Transfer your real Windows PC to a Parallels virtual machine.
That is the last impediment to a Windows user’s adoption of a malware free Mac. Connect your old PC to your new Mac and transfer your files, programs, contacts and OS over to your new iMac, MacBook or MacBook Pro.
What could be easier? Who wouldn’t switch?
“Excellent, Smithers!”
I am now waiting for Jan. 9th so I can what the fate of the Mac Pro is.
I can think of a reason to load Windows: games.
I just picked up Quake 4 for $19.99 for PC. Runs great with Boot Camp.
Parallels lets you boot Windows from your Boot Camp partition now, so I’m even more happy with my purchase. When I need to use Windows for anything but games, I use Parallels.
Who has time to play games???? What a loser!
I still don’t get all the fuss about this – Macs have always been able to run Windows. Remember Virtual PC? It was only 18 months ago!
Always Right is always wrong.
Nope. Still can’t print to our multifunction HP USB printer, even with this latest beta release.
Gog,
Virtual PC sucked serious nad.
Parallels runs at near-native speed.
Parallels have stated that allowing accelerated graphics (currently not possible) is on their ToDo list. Once done, I’ll delete my BootCamp partition and use only Parallels with a self-expanding HD and a minimal drive image as a backup.
My kids need a maths app for school that needs Windows, for now, until market-share forces cause them to rewite for Mac.
::
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::mudflapper wrote: I can think of a reason to load Windows: games.
::
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Some others:
After Effects on Intel Macs (currently not UB)
Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator/ etc @ full speed
Various CAD apps
Website Testing across various platforms
Legacy Business app support
Not to say that Windows is my platform of choice… but there sure are some pretty useful apps that run in that environment.
loganson wrote:
“If they could just give us a mac look and feel for windoze apps I might even consider it…nahhh—not as long as purchasing windoze is a part of the deal. Never. Absolutely never.”
Why purchase Windoze? Just get a copy of the OEM installer (no activation required) from the Peer to Peer networks. I’m hoping we’re breaking new legal ground here. Technically, with the “coherence” feature you’re not actually “using” windows for anything. I’m all for buying the Apps, but buying Windoze just to enable those Apps to run. I think the DOJ should step up and force this issue. As long as you’re not using Windoze, the API’s should be fair use.
If you have a copy of Windoze, make sure to share it with ALL of your intel based Mac using friends ;^)
Hey, WindozeKiller:
Are you joking? You’re obviously still using Windows when you use Parallels, even if in Coherence mode it isn’t noticeable. So, admit that you are encouraging out-and-out theft. Even if M$ is the evil empire, it’s still theft. And no, you’re not Robin Hood.
Did anyone ever BUY a legitimate copy of Windows???
Speak to your friends. Ask the IT guy at work. Go to the local market. XP CDs are a dime a dozen these days…
MDN Magic Word: “reported” as in “your IP address has just been reported to Bill Gates” LOL
Hmmm, tried this beta out at lunch today. Gotta say it’s not ready for primetime (d’uh, it’s a BETA!) Anyway, seems like there is potential here. The “coherence” capability needs work. It’s not nearly as smooth as it needs to be yet. I was getting all kinds of weird behaviour bewteen various windows on my MBP.
Wound up switching back to the previous version….at least for now.
This is awesome! The USB 2.0 support makes using devices like printers and scanners super easy. Plus, the virtual CD/DVD drive feature lets you burn discs in virtual machines! If you’re caught up with a research proposal, this tool is a lifesaver for hassle-free work—research proposal writing help at its best!