Parallels unveils personal, enterprise editions of Parallels Desktop 10 for the Mac

Parallels has updated members of the Parallels Desktop family for the Mac. The new Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac and Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac Enterprise Edition allow Mac users to run Windows applications and software from other operating systems seamlessly on their Macs. 

New built-in intelligence and support for Apple’s latest operating systems – including OS X Yosemite* – improves ease-of-use for both business users and consumers. Current users of versions 8 or 9 can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac at www.parallels.com/upgradepd10 from today.

“Millions of Parallels Desktop for Mac customers have come to expect ingenuity, ease of use and speed from Parallels and they will not be disappointed with Parallels Desktop 10,” said Parallels President Jack Zubarev. “With Parallels Desktop 10 customers can enjoy new levels of productivity without having to worry about whether the app they need is available on a specific operating system — Parallels creates a world of compatibility at home, work and on the road.”

Parallels Desktop 10 will bring many of the announced features of Mac OS X Yosemite to Windows and Windows applications, supporting iCloud Drive, iMessages and SMS text sharing from Windows, and control of virtual machines from Spotlight preview and Finder QuickLook. 

New ease-of-use improvements include wizards that guide users through optimising their experience, improved performance and battery life, and improved usability between operating systems so that people can complete tasks more quickly. Parallels Desktop 10 also offers the freedom to use whatever operating system fits the user's needs. In addition to Windows 7 and Windows 8, OS X Yosemite, OS X Mavericks, Mac OS X Mountain Lion, Chrome OS, Android and a number of Linux operating systems are all supported on one computer.

“Today we are seeing a shift in consumer behaviour. Users’ expectations are that they should be able to simply run any application they need regardless of operating system,” said Laura DiDio, ITIC Consulting. “Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac is helping customers realise this goal by offering best-in-class virtualisation software and cross-platform access tools for consumer, SMB and enterprise users.”

Parallels is also updating Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition, which provides Windows applications on Macs in a corporate environment. This tool allows IT managers to support Windows applications for Mac users with a configurable, policy-compliant solution that easily fits into existing IT business processes. 

New features allow administrators to select and enforce a USB device policy, install OS X guests using a NetBoot image from a server on the corporate network, encrypt OS X virtual machines with the help of the FileVault encryption feature built into OS X, and check the status of licenses and reclaim seats directly. Centralised administration and management capabilities have been added, as well as enhanced security to keep IT in control of virtual machines.

Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac is available as of August 20 as an upgrade for current Parallels Desktop for Mac users. The full version will be available to new customers on www.parallels.com/products/desktop starting August 26. Packaged software will also be available worldwide starting on August 26 in the US, or August 27 Singapore time.

The standard retail price (SRP)** of Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac is S$98, and the Student Edition is available for S$58. Upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 8 or 9 for Mac customers are S$58. Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac customers receive a complimentary three-month subscription to the Parallels Access app for up to five Macs and PCs and an unlimited number of iOS and Android mobile devices.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition software is available via www.parallels.com/products/business.

*Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac and Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac Enterprise Edition have experimental support for many of the features of OS X Yosemite Developer Preview, bringing them to Windows and Windows applications. However, Parallels does not provide technical support for it at this time. Parallels plans to fully support OS X Yosemite in Parallels Desktop 10 when Yosemite becomes commercially available. 

**Prices include GST.