∞ Parallels Desktop 7 adds Lion support, performance improvement

Parallels has announced the release of Parallels Desktop 7 for Mac, a new version of their virtualization software that enables OS X users to run Windows and other non-Apple operating systems side-by-side along with OS X. It goes into general circulation on September 6 for $79.99, but existing customers can upgrade now for $49.99.

Among the new features is support for and integration with OS X Lion. Lion’s LaunchPad and Mission Control can display Windows applications. Lion can also operate as a guest operating system. iSight and FaceTime HD cameras work in both Mac and Windows apps, and users can allocate up to 1GB of video memory.

Graphics performance has been improved with up to 45 percent faster 3D graphics rendering, and Windows start, stop and resume functions are up to 60 percent faster in the new release, according to Parallels. The company also claims that file copying within Windows is up to 120 percent faster than its competitor.

Parallels Mobile, the app that lets you access Parallels Desktop content through your iOS device, has also been improved, with copy and paste support, audio, and other new features.

http://twitter.com/feralchimp feralchimp

Parallels update/upgrade pricing is bullshit, especially given a) the kernel panics, and b) the near-complete lack of effort getting Parallels tools to work with Linux.
BoredInOttawa

Amen to “Feralchimp”‘s comments.

in my lab I have a bunch of iMac’s that I use for VM hosting (cheap refurbs) I run a mix of VMware Fusion and Parallels across the systems. VMWares update and upgrade policy is annoying but no where near as expensive and painful as Parallels… $50 effectively buying it new… AGAIN…
http://silicoxvalley.com person287

I’ve recently just installed it in Boot Camp and it’s running very well. I’ve had masses of problems with networking on OS X so it’s nice that everything works now!
Outraged

I’ve just upgraded to Parallels 7, and for the first time in my “Macdom” the downloaded image file refuses to mount. Trying to get this information to the Parallels people is almost impossible with their boiler plate forms, and bouncing emails.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1135472087 Drew Armstrong

We here at parallels cannot be bothered by you the customers… we are programmers hard at work and you are bugging us to death. If we had to respond to each and every customer request/complaint we would have to roll out 3 to 4 $50 upgrades per year rather than just 2 or so… We russians… program stuff… you americans… supposed to buy stuff… we can hire more indians for you to complain to but it will cost ya. Per complaint! Wait… we already implimented that…