Term of the Moment
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Definition: Parallels Desktop
(Parallels Desktop for Mac) Virtual machine software from Parallels, Inc. that allows Windows, Linux and other operating systems to run in a Mac with either an Intel or Apple CPU. In 2006, Mac computers began shipping with Intel x86 CPU chips, enabling Windows to run natively in the machine. Parallels also supports OpenGL 3D, the graphics language used in many high-end games. See virtual machine.
Windows on the Mac Desktop
In the Mac, Windows can run full screen or in a window on the desktop. However, in Parallel "Coherence" mode, Windows applications run in individual windows intermixed on the desktop with Mac applications. When minimized, Windows apps appear in the Mac Dock along with the Mac apps. The Windows Start menu can be set to autohide, leaving no trace of the Windows OS on the Mac desktop.
Import a Windows Machine - Switch to Mac
Parallels Desktop comes with a migration utility that can move the contents of a Windows PC to a Parallels virtual machine (VM) in the Mac. It can also convert virtual machines from VMware, Microsoft Virtual PC and VirtualBox to a Parallels virtual machine. See Boot Camp, Virtual PC and VMware Fusion.
Seamless Integration
Windows on the Mac Desktop
In the Mac, Windows can run full screen or in a window on the desktop. However, in Parallel "Coherence" mode, Windows applications run in individual windows intermixed on the desktop with Mac applications. When minimized, Windows apps appear in the Mac Dock along with the Mac apps. The Windows Start menu can be set to autohide, leaving no trace of the Windows OS on the Mac desktop.
Import a Windows Machine - Switch to Mac
Parallels Desktop comes with a migration utility that can move the contents of a Windows PC to a Parallels virtual machine (VM) in the Mac. It can also convert virtual machines from VMware, Microsoft Virtual PC and VirtualBox to a Parallels virtual machine. See Boot Camp, Virtual PC and VMware Fusion.
Mac and Windows applications exist side-by-side on the Mac desktop, providing seamless integration of the two environments.