Parallels Releases Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac

Parallels, the maker of one of the first virtualization applications for Intel-based Macs, recently announced Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac. This version offers improved performance and graphics support for DirectX 9, DirectX Pixel Shader 2, and OpenGL 2. Other improvements add support for multi-core Intel processors, allowing you to assign up to eight of your Mac’s processors for use by guest OSes in Parallels.

The company also reports that version 4 consumes 15-30% fewer system resources than its predecessor.

Also new in version 4 is full 64-bit support for guest OSes; support for up to 8 GB of RAM; and the ability to install OS X Server as a guest OS.

Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac is available for $79.99, or $39.99 as an upgrade from previous versions. A 15-day demo is available for those who wish to try before they buy.

A few words about upgrading. The Parallels installer program will delete your older version of Parallels. Additionally, any guest OS will be ‘upgraded’ by Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac. This can make returning to the older version difficult, if not impossible, if you didn’t first create backups of the earlier version of Parallels and your virtual machines. I highly recommend backing up all guests OSes (virtual machines) before you install the update. You should also have a copy of the earlier version of Parallels on hand, should you need to return to it. This is especially important if you’re going to try the 15-day demo.