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Parallels Adds Full Mac OS X 10.5 Support

SWsoft has released an update to its virtualization software for Mac OS X, Parallels Desktop. The latest build (3.0 build 5582) brings full support for Mac OS X 10.5 ("Leopard"). It also brings various other, minor enhancements added since the previous build, released at the end of November. The company has also shipped a new suite called Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac Premium Edition, which bundles the core virtualization software with various Windows utilities.

Parallels Desktop is a virtualization solution that allows users to run Windows on Intel-based Mac systems, such as the MacBook, MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, iMac and Mac mini. The latest build, according to the company, offers full Mac OS X 10.5 support, along with several other enhancements to the virtualization engine (SMBios support and improvements to performance for guests under Vista and XP).

Improvements include port forwarding for shared networking, expanded support for virtual devices and the ability to migrate Boot Camp partitions to Parallels virtual disk images.

The company also yesterday launched a new Parallels Desktop bundle package. Dubbed Parallels Premium Edition for Mac, the suite includes the main Parallels Desktop software plus tools for Windows, including:

  • Kaspersky Internet Security 7.0 for malware protection;
  • Acronis True Image 11 Home for backup; and
  • Acronis Disk Director Suite for disk management.

Both Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac Premium Edition and Parallels Desktop 3.0 build 5582 are available now. The Premium Edition runs $99.99. The update to the latest build of the core software is available free for Parallels Desktop 3.0 users and can be accessed here.

About the Author

Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's educational technology online publications and electronic newsletters. He can be reached at [email protected].