Parallels offers iPad/Phone access to Windows on a Mac

Stuart Corner
Wednesday, 15 September 2010 13:22

Your IT - Home IT

Parallels has released Version 6 of its virtual machine software for the Mac, with remote access to Windows applications running on a Mac under parallels as one of 80 new or improved features claimed for the latest edition.

iPad users - connected to their home Mac via the Internet - can see a Windows desktop on their iPad, open applications running on the Mac and print to a printer connected to the Mac.

Parallels claims to have significantly improved performance in Version 6. Citing independent testing by 3DMark 2006 Professional and Crimson Consulting Group, it says: "Most important. 3D graphics run nearly 40 percent better than before and are also two-times better than the competition. Boot time for Windows is 41 percent faster than before and twice as fast as the competition's latest offering. Parallels Desktop 6 also boosts speed for working with files on USB drives, networks and in shared folders."

Parallels also announced the availability of Parallels Desktop 6 Switch to Mac: a bundle of Parallels Desktop 6 with additional software designed to make the move from PC to Mac smart and simple.

By installing some software on the PC and connecting it to the Mac with the supplied USB cable, Parallels claims that "All of your programs, files, user settings and now even your browser favourites and bookmarks are automatically moved to your Mac [and] with one click, new pre-defined user profiles let you simply choose as little or as much Windows as you want."


Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac is available for download or off the shelf from retailers. The standard retail price $109 for the basic version and $149 for Parallels Desktop 6 Switch to Mac Edition. An upgrade from Parallels Desktop 4 for Mac and later (English language) is available via Parallels.com for $69, and at no cost for those who bought Version 5 on or after August 15.

The software is presently available in English, German, French, Italian and Spanish and Parallels promises Japanese, Russian, simplified Chinese, Czech and Polish in the coming weeks.