Mobile Tech Minutes — Parallels Desktop 5 Crystal Mode
I have demonstrated Parallels Desktop on the Mac that I use to run Windows 7 alongside OS X. A new version of Parallels Desktop, version 5, was released yesterday and among many new features offers better Snow Leopard and Windows 7 support. One of the new features of Parallels Desktop for Mac v.5 is the Crystal mode, which allows the Windows 7 environment to be “hidden” while running. In the video I demonstrate how this works, and show the ability to run Windows programs like Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer on the Mac desktop.
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JK,
Quick question. If you were coming from a windows environment and you were replacing your home office with a notebook, would this be a good solution – ie a 17 inch mac book pro with parallels ?
One further question – it’s easy in windows with ultramon to get a second monitor up and running. Could you use ultramon and a mini dvi adapter easily so that you had two monitors for both your mac apps and win 7 apps ?
I haven’t tried it yet but Parallels 5 supports multiple monitors out of the box, according to the website. You could easily share just two monitors using OS X Spaces. A simple keystroke (I’ve shown this in a past video) can instantly toggle between the two environments.
Just wondering how this is different from Parallels 4.X and Windows 7, which I just bought two days ago. I’ve been using Coherence, and it’s very nice! Wonder if I can get a free upgrade if 5.X is much better…..
You can get a free upgrade. Anyone who bought the prior version on or after October 1 qualifies. Watch for an email from Parallels — I got one yesterday afternoon for my free upgrade. :)
The Parallels folks claim better performance with Windows and it seems to be so. There are a lot of new features according to the website so I’d go for the free upgrade.
James, good look at the new Parallels. A slightly off topic question…how have you modified your Mac desktop and what did you use? Thanks.
I tried out parallels based on your review, love it so far. i love that wallpaper too! Mind telling me where you got it or what its called? keep up the good work.