Abstract

Parallels, Inc. commissioned The Tolly Group to evaluate a wide array of features of the Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac desktop virtualization software. Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac software aims to unify the user experience such that the virtual machines are integrated into the Mac operating system user interface providing a simple yet feature-rich user experience that enhances user productivity.

Users whose work requires access to both Windows-only and OS X-only programs, have several alternatives: They can use separate machines, they can use a single physical machine that, through a utility like Apple’s Boot Camp, can be bring up either a dedicated OS X or a dedicated Windows machine, or they can employ virtualization technology. Such technology allows a single physical machine to run both the native Mac OS X operating system and a full version of Windows XP simultaneously.

This report will examine the Parallels Desktop offering with respect to features that enhance user productivity. Tests were conducted in November 2007.