With PowerPoint on Mac using Parallels Desktop, the sky really is the limit if you have the right tools in your arsenal. For example, this infographic from our friends at Best STL, which goes over some key PowerPoint pointers—bookmark this handy resource to stick in your PowerPoint tool belt.
- If you want to run Windows 10 on a Mac there are really only two options worth considering: a native install using Boot Camp or virtualization through Parallels.
- This post is about a Parallels Desktop for Mac Local Privilege Escalation bug on host. (Unfortunately, not about escaping Virtual machine.) I suddenly found a root-setuid executable in a Parallels installed directory while i was cleaning up my disk. I'm using the latest version of the program which is 10.1.2 (28859) at this moment.
- Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows. 30+ tools in a lightweight, powerful, all-in-one application for Mac ® and PC. Easy to use and economical—a whole suite of tools for a fraction of the cost of individual apps, packaged in one simple interface. Keep your focus with Presentation Mode. Instantly disable those embarrassing pop-ups or bouncing icons.
- Expensive (not unreasonable)- you have to ask yourself - can you live by free ones like virtualbox? You can almost buy a cheapo junkie windows tablet;) for a $999 or less Mac may be an issue, on the other hand, if you bought a $2000, $3000, $5000+ Mac, that's small change.
- Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is $79.99 with a free 14-day trial available, while customers with Parallels Desktop 9 or newer can upgrade for $49.99.
Updated May 22nd, 2015: We’ve just begun tracking the latest release date news and rumors from the upcoming Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac so be sure to check it out!
Parallels Macbook Pro 2015
Updated August 20th, 2014: Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac has just been officially released! If you are an existing Parallels customer, you can pick up the upgrade immediately at parallels.com/upgradepd10. If you are a new customer, then you can pre-order your copy today as it’s scheduled to be released on August 26th. If you just purchased version 9, you may qualify for a free upgrade to version 10.
So what’s new in Parallels Desktop 10? See the full list of new features and improvements in Parallels 10.
Looking for a good deal on Parallels 10? Then be sure to check out our main Parallels coupons and deals page for all of the latest offers.
Updated August 19th, 2014: With Parallels Desktop for Mac 10 expected to be released any day now, we are now in the free upgrade window for those who buy Parallels 9; If you pick up version 9 between now and the release of version 10 at Parallels.com, you’ll automatically receive the free upgrade to version 10 once it’s released. The policy has also extended to their authorized resellers in the past so it’s the best time to grab a good deal on the outgoing versions. Here are more details about the free upgrade offer.
Updated July 31st, 2014: With Apple’s OS X Yosemite set to launch in September, you can expect to see Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac to come just around the the same time (the beta version is already out and available to those on their beta program). The last few years of Parallels Desktop for Mac release dates have been very predictable and we don’t expect to see any changes this time around – Watch for Parallels 10 to be announced at the beginning of September. If you’re interested in begging notified the moment it’s released then be sure to sign up to our release date notifier list (located at the right side of this page!).
Here’s a quick look at the release date cycle history for the past five versions. Remember, the upgrade discount only goes back two versions so if you’re still running v.7 or older, then you’ll need to buy it at the full price.
- Parallels 10 – Released on August 20th, 2014.
- Parallels 9 – This is the current version. Officially released on September 5, 2013.
- Parallels 9 beta – On August 1, 2013, several of the top Mac influencers were invited to a private Parallels 9 beta to test the new features.
- Parallels 8 – Released on September 4, 2012.
- Parallels 7 – Released on September 6, 2011.
- Parallels 6 – Released on September 14, 2010.
- Parallels 5 – Released on November 4, 2009.
What happens if I just bought a license before the new one was released?
Parallels as historically offered a free upgrade to newest version if you purchased the previous version up to four weeks before an announced release. Here are more details about the 2014 free upgrade offer and how to qualify. Here’s also a link to the 2013 tech guarantee that specifies last year’s free upgrade policy.
What we would like to see in the next release.
Parallels 9 is arguably the best release yet of the Desktop for Mac series, but it’s not perfect. Besides the obvious – Perfect functionality in OS X Yosemite – In version 10 we hope that they actually remove some things. Specifically, the extra software installations and advertisements that are added at the time of installation. It was reported by several users that even if you specifically uncheck the applications that you do not want installed, it would still be loaded onto your Mac and started every time you would re-boot (most notably with the free six-month subscription to Parallels Access). Also, we would love to see improved customer support. It seems like ever since Parallels moved their customer support team to India, the quality of help has substantially decreased (especially at the product launch as their team seems unprepared to handle many of the most common support issues). We hope that this time around they will improve training or add more knowledgeable domestic support agents.
What would you like to see improved or changed in Parallels Desktop 10?
Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.
Up to Date
Optimized for the latest Windows 10 updates and ready for macOS Catalina (10.15).
Ultimate Flexibility
Works with OS X, Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, Google Chrome™,Linux and Unix, and macOS Server. No more having to choose between PC or Mac.
Touch Bar
Add Windows applications to Touch Bar™ for instant access and customization.
Connect Devices
USB, USB-C, Thunderbolt and FireWire devices connect with Windows. Pair your Bluetooth® devices—including Xbox One controller, stylus pen and printer—to work with both Windows and macOS.
Retina® Display Support
Smart resizing and independent screen resolutions for separate displays.
One-Click Tuning
Select productivity, games, design, software testing, or development, and Parallels Desktop will optimize your VM settings and performance for you.
Instant Access
Launch and access Windows applications right from the Mac Dock.
Save Disk Space
Get the most out of your Mac with automatic Disk Space optimization.
Office 365 Integration
Allows Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents in Safari to open in their native Windows Office application.
Works with Boot Camp
Reuse your existing Boot Camp installation. Converting a virtual machine from Boot Camp is easy—just follow our installation assistant at startup.
Volume License Key
Unified volume license key, centralized license management, and advanced security features are available in Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition.
Travel Mode
Extend battery life while away from a power source.
Bonus! Parallels® Toolbox
Over 30 one-touch tools—clean your drive, take screenshots, download a video, and more, all with just a single click.
Bonus! Remote Access
Remote access to your Mac from any iOS device, Android device, or browser with Parallels Access®.
24/7 Support
Premium 24/7 phone, email, and social support after activation.
- Share Mac applications with Windows
- Automatic resolution change
- Single cloud storage space between Mac and Windows
- Drag and drop files between Mac and Windows
- Copy and paste files or text between Mac and Windows
- Launch Windows applications right from the Dock
- Move your PC to Mac in a few easy steps
- Assign any USB devices to your Mac or Windows
- Retina display support for Windows
- Volume control synchronization
- Open any site in Microsoft Explorer right from Safari® browser
- Apply macOS Parental Control to Windows applications
- Windows alerts in Mac Notification Center
- Mac dictation inside Windows applications
- See the number of unread emails in the Dock
- “Reveal in Windows Explorer” in macOS files menu
- Virtual machine encryption
- Linked clones for VMs*
- Vagrant provider*
- 32 vCPUs and 128 GB vRAM*
- Nested virtualization for Linux*
- Drag and drop files in macOS guests
- Real-time virtual disk optimization
- Create VM from VHD and VMDK disks*
- Drag and drop to create VM
- Disk Space Wizard optimizes your disk space
- Shared folders and printers for Linux VMs
- Windows applications in Launchpad
- Power Nap in Windows
- Use Force Touch to look up definitions
- New virtual machine wizard
- Mission Control support
- Presentation Wizard prevents most projector issues
- Drop files onto Outlook to create a new message
- Multi-language keyboard sync
- Picture-in-Picture view
2015 Mac Air
- Share Bluetooth between Mac and Windows
- macOS guest support
- Spaces functionality for Windows applications
- Mission Control exposes your Windows applications
- DirectX support
- Thunderbolt support
- Licensing portal*
- Firewire support
- USB-C and USB 3.0 support
- Work without risk with Snapshots
- Safeguard your VM with encryption
- 2 GB video memory support
- Finder tabs work with Windows applications
- AVX512 instruction set support
- Mojave support
- Disk usage optimizations
- Report disk space left on Mac
- Express installation of Windows 10
- Native Mojave screenshots
- Auto allocation of video memory
- “Free Up Disk Space” wizard
- Free OS downloads
- Coherence for external displays
- Continuity camera support
- Touch Bar support
- Shared smart card reader
- Multi-monitor support
- 4K shared camera support
- CPU usage indicator
- Mojave Quick Look support
- Pressure sensitivity support
- Resource usage monitor
- OpenGL support
- Offer to import Boot Camp
- Auto-detect games keyboard
- And many more…
*Available with Parallels Desktop Pro Edition and Business Edition subscriptions