Parallels Desktop 5 reigns in benchmark comparison tests

Allows users to run Windows, Linux and other operating systems side-by-side with Mac OS X

Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac beat the competition and Parallels Desktop 4 in a recent independent comparison test.MacTech magazine published the results of extensive in depth benchmark testing of Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac compared with both Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac and VMware Fusion 3. Introduced in November 2009, Parallels Desktop 5 software allows users, currently around 2 million of them, to run Windows, Linux and other operating systems side-by-side with Mac OS X. At launch, the company promised more than 70 new features in Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac, offering users greater flexibility in how they run a PC on a Mac.The magazine compared Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac (build 9308) versus VMware Fusion 3.0.1.Running each group of tests, Parallels proved between 5-127 per cent faster than VMware's solution. Overall, Parallels Desktop 5 runs 30 per cent faster with Windows XP, and 43 per cent faster with Windows 7, than VMware Fusion 3.0.1.MacTech magazine found Parallels was faster on the balance - the vast majority - of the graphics tests - including the 3DMark overall scores - which should proved good news for gamers. The measurements that best represent the overall gaming experience show Parallels performing 81 per cent faster under Windows XP, and 127 per cent faster under Windows 7.The speed difference in FPS was noticeably faster in Parallels Desktop when compared to VMware Fusion. As expected, both environments took advantage of the extra graphics hardware of the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, but Parallels took greater advantage of it, the magazine discovered.MacTech added running the the graphics tests on Parallels didn't have many of the issues that VMware Fusion did.With regards Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac versus Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac, MacTech found launching the virtual machine with a full Windows boot, 8.2 per cent faster in Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac compared to the earlier version.

Suspending the virtual machine proved 76.3 per cent faster, launching the virtual machine from suspend was 10 per cent faster using Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac. Additionally, File I/O - in particular with the smaller drive footprint - proved 18.2 per cent faster. The magazine found little change in compressing files.The findings noted, how much less disk space the base installation of Windows XP Pro used on Parallels Desktop 5 compared to the earlier version. Version 5 uses about a third less actual drive space on your Mac.The results found Parallels Desktop 5 more than 8x the speed of version 4.Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac costs £59.99, including VAT and what Parallels says is £100 worth of additional software free including a one year sub of Parallels Internet Security 2009 by Kaspersky, Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 disk management tool and Acronis True Image Home 2010, a backup and recovery solutions.Current Parallels Desktop users can upgrade their existing software for £34.99. Users that purchased version 4.0 on or after October 1st 2009 qualify with a proof of purchase for a free upgrade to version 5. A free trial of Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac is available.More information can be found at www.parallels.com/desktop.System requirements are Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher and an Intel based Mac. The software supports 32- and 64-bit virtual machine operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Solari.

A full list of supported OS is available at www.parallels.com/uk/products/desktop5/resources/sr.

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Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac beat the competition and Parallels Desktop 4 in a recent independent comparison test.MacTech magazine published the results of extensive in depth benchmark testing of Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac compared with both Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac and VMware Fusion 3. Introduced in November 2009, Parallels Desktop 5 software allows users, currently around 2 million of them, to run Windows, Linux and other operating systems side-by-side with Mac OS X. At launch, the company promised more than 70 new features in Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac, offering users greater flexibility in how they run a PC on a Mac.The magazine compared Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac (build 9308) versus VMware Fusion 3.0.1.Running each group of tests, Parallels proved between 5-127 per cent faster than VMware's solution. Overall, Parallels Desktop 5 runs 30 per cent faster with Windows XP, and 43 per cent faster with Windows 7, than VMware Fusion 3.0.1.MacTech magazine found Parallels was faster on the balance - the vast majority - of the graphics tests - including the 3DMark overall scores - which should proved good news for gamers. The measurements that best represent the overall gaming experience show Parallels performing 81 per cent faster under Windows XP, and 127 per cent faster under Windows 7.The speed difference in FPS was noticeably faster in Parallels Desktop when compared to VMware Fusion. As expected, both environments took advantage of the extra graphics hardware of the MacBook Pro and Mac Pro, but Parallels took greater advantage of it, the magazine discovered.MacTech added running the the graphics tests on Parallels didn't have many of the issues that VMware Fusion did.With regards Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac versus Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac, MacTech found launching the virtual machine with a full Windows boot, 8.2 per cent faster in Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac compared to the earlier version.

Suspending the virtual machine proved 76.3 per cent faster, launching the virtual machine from suspend was 10 per cent faster using Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac. Additionally, File I/O - in particular with the smaller drive footprint - proved 18.2 per cent faster. The magazine found little change in compressing files.The findings noted, how much less disk space the base installation of Windows XP Pro used on Parallels Desktop 5 compared to the earlier version. Version 5 uses about a third less actual drive space on your Mac.The results found Parallels Desktop 5 more than 8x the speed of version 4.Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac costs £59.99, including VAT and what Parallels says is £100 worth of additional software free including a one year sub of Parallels Internet Security 2009 by Kaspersky, Acronis Disk Director Suite 10.0 disk management tool and Acronis True Image Home 2010, a backup and recovery solutions.Current Parallels Desktop users can upgrade their existing software for £34.99. Users that purchased version 4.0 on or after October 1st 2009 qualify with a proof of purchase for a free upgrade to version 5. A free trial of Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac is available.More information can be found at www.parallels.com/desktop.System requirements are Mac OS X 10.4.11 or higher and an Intel based Mac. The software supports 32- and 64-bit virtual machine operating systems such as Windows, Linux and Solari.