Appletell

Parallels, Inc. introduced a new update to its popular Parallels Desktop application on Friday. The latest version, 3.0.5600, brings support for Windows Vista SP1 and Windows XP Sp3. It also fixes some other issues, including: Kernal panics, unusually high CPU usage, and improvements to shared folders. This update should have automatically downloaded for existing registered Parallels Desktop users - if not, you can download the update here as a DMG (88MB)

If you’re not a fan of Parallels Desktop, there’s always alternatives like Apple’s own Boot Camp and VMware Fusion. Boot Camp is included in Mac OS X Leopard and VMware Fusion costs $60.

Via [TUAW]

VMware have announced the relesase of Fusion 1.1.2, with added support for Time Machine backups of your virtual machines. According to VMware, Mac OS X Leopard update 10.5.2 included a fix that prevented virtual machines from backing up properly. You can now back up your virtual machines correctly with 1.1.2. A word of warning though, virtual machines will start to eat up your external hard drive’s disk space - as Time Machine backs up all changes to all files. You may want to uncheck a few folders that don’t need backing up.

1.1.2 also brings support for the MacBook Air, Windows XP Service Pack 3, and simplified Chinese, as well as the standard bug fixes. You can download a free trial of VMware Fusion from their website. If you are already a registered user, this update is free - otherwise it’s $79.99.

Via [TUAW]

After Microsoft’s Beta 2 of Remote Desktop Connection expired last week, leaving only limited functionality, Microsoft’s Mac BU has released Remote Desktop Connection Beta 3, which has no expiration.

Remote Desktop Connection is a tool made by Microsoft that is essentially Screen Sharing designed specifically for access to a Windows PC through a Mac. The Mac BU has said that they have decided not to forego features to hasten delivery date. One that they were apparently planning to forego was the ability to double-click on a RDC file and have it immediately start the connection. They say due to feedback, they realized they needed to leave these features in.

Via [Ars Technica]

Parallels, the creators of the popular virtualization software for Mac, are offering a $15 rebate on their Parallels Desktop Premium 3.0 software. The full premium package includes Parallels Desktop 3.0 plus extra software: Kaspersky Internet Security for Windows, Acronis Disk Director Suite, and Acronis Image Home. The new Premium version of Parallels sells for $99, and includes $175 worth of software. With the rebate it now costs just $84.99, making the offer seem more than reasonable.

If you have a powerful enough Intel Mac, and you don’t want to do any processor or graphics intensive work on Windows, then you should check out Parallels Desktop or its competitor, VMware Fusion. This type of virtualization allows you to run Windows XP or Vista whilst running Mac OS X in the background, eliminating the need for a restart. Unfortunately, this means it will be half the speed of doing the same in Boot Camp - and therefore I don’t recommend doing it if you intend to play games on Windows.

Via [The Mac Observer]

The mEgg Hunt, “brings seasonal fun” where Mac users will surf a Mac developer’s site and try to find an egg. Once they find an egg they’ll receive a code towards 20% off the purchase of the software. The Easter mEgg Hunt just revealed the list of participants, so once you see them, get hunting! (Then reading Apple news)

Read the full list after the jump!

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Parallels, the makers of the most popular virtualization software for Mac, have just announced Parallels Server Beta 2 available for public download, due to positive results from the private beta testing beforehand. Parallels Server enables efficient and easy-to-use server virtualization. They managed to bring virtualization to the consumer world, their server alternative looks promising too. One of the biggest concerns with server virtualization is the fact that a lot of resources are used, Parallels have done a good job on trying to reduce the amount of resources used by their software. It also offers virtual support for four-way symmetric multi-processing, which allows users to assign up to four virtual cores to a virtual machine; providing enhanced performance under heavy workloads. Parallels Server beta 2 is available for download from their website.

Via [MacNN]

Two important Boot Camp-related announcements were made this week, one by Microsoft and one by Apple. Firstly, it was reported Monday that Apple was including 64 Bit Vista support in it’s Mac Pro editions of Mac OS X. It quietly introduced this, with no mention of it other than this snippet from the installation instructions:

Important: You must use a single full-install Windows installation disc (Service Pack 2 is required for Windows XP installations). Do not use an upgrade version of Windows and do not install an earlier version of Windows XP and attempt to update it later to SP2 or later. Use only 32-bit versions of Windows. If you have a Mac Pro introduced in late 2007 or later, you can use a 64-bit version of Windows Vista.

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Parallels and VMware seem to be working in an effort to one up each other. This time Parallels is following up quickly with Parallels Desktop 3.0 beta 2, which is coming just about a month after their last beta release. In the latest beta 2 release they have improved Shared Folders and also Coherence mode. With Shared Folders you are quickly and easily able to move your files to and from Windows and OS X.

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Does anyone remember back 12 months and the speculation and ‘rush’ to get Windows on the new Intel Mac’s?

Well now you are spoilt for choice, but if you are in the Boot Camp camp then the 1.4 beta will be of interest to you. Free and in beta it comes with the usual ‘warnings’ and according to Apple, but offers:

• Support for the MacBook Pro’s backlight keyboard


• Apple Remote Pairing


• Updated graphics drivers (Windows loves drivers)


• Improved Boot Camp driver install, improved international keyboard support

Via [TUAW]

VMware has released their virtualization app for the Mac, Fusion, as version 1.0. A competitor to Parallels, Fusion emulates and virtualizes Windows, Linux, and more. With features like Unity, Snapshots, and 3D emulation, Fusion makes it easy to run other OS’ on your Mac.

“VMware Fusion combines a very clean and intuitive interface that Mac users expect with the world’s most trusted desktop virtualization platform to allow users to run Mac applications seamlessly alongside PC applications on Intel-based Macs”, said Dan Chu, Vice President of Emerging Products and Markets.

VMware Fusion retails for $79.99, and is available with a $20 rebate, bringing the price tag down to $59.99. A 30 day trial is also available for those who just want to try Fusion out.

Product Page [VMware Fusion]