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Parallels, a worldwide leader in virtualization and automation software, today unveiled a complete solution designed to simplify the process of "switching" from a PC to Mac. Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition empowers users to effortlessly make the move to Mac without the risk of losing familiar and important data and applications on their Microsoft Windows-based PCs. The product combines a set of easy-to-use tools and interactive tutorials with the industry leading Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac to help "Switchers" understand how to operate Mac OS X, transfer all PC data and applications, and seamlessly run their Windows applications on their new Macs.
"The growth in switching is partially due to the ease-of-use and cool capabilities of the Mac," said Serguei Beloussov, CEO of Parallels. "However, users don’t want to lose the data they have accumulated and the applications they are already familiar with. Building on our proven track record of Mac innovation, we have addressed this concern and made learning the new operating system even simpler through interactive on-demand tutorials. These are combined with intelligent moving tools and our industry-leading Parallels Desktop for Mac, which offers the greatest performance and stability for running Windows seamlessly on Mac."
Switching from PC to Mac is on the rise: analyst reports on operating system market share show that Mac OS X market growth comes at the expense of Windows’ market share. While the overall PC industry saw declines of 3% for the quarter ending in June 2009, Apple sales were up 4% year over year¹. According to Apple’s Q309 report, half of the Macs sold were to customers who had never owned a Mac before².
"Parallels is an industry pioneer in the development and delivery of Mac virtualization solutions," according to Laura DiDio, principal at Information Technology Intelligence Corp., a Boston-based research firm. ITIC’s research indicates that three out of 10 corporations (30%) use Mac hardware and software in conjunction with Windows to dual boot and virtualize their desktop and server environments. "Now more than ever, businesses require products and tools like Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition, that will assist IT managers and support integration and interoperability among heterogeneous environment," DiDio added.
Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition is an industry-first solution that addresses the challenges facing prospective PC-to-Mac Switchers:
• Learning Mac OS X — The Switch to Mac learning tools are designed to specifically address any questions or concerns associated with the transition from Windows to Mac. More than two hours of interactive video tutorials help users learn the new interface and functionality of the Mac platform step-by-step, starting with the Mac equivalent of tasks performed on Windows. A quick reference card identifies the most common Windows and Mac command/function differences and puts the correct keystrokes at users’ fingertips.
• Making the Move — Also important to new Mac users is getting files and media from their old computer to their Mac. Parallels recognizes that many people need help with this process, and developed a "plug and click" method that moves the entire PC (licensed operating system, applications, files and data) to the new Mac. This includes the Parallels High Speed USB Transfer Cable that connects the two machines and the Enhanced Parallels Transporter: simple, wizard-driven software that walks the user through the move in a few easy clicks. The seamless Mac user experience now starts on the PC side.
• Running Windows and Mac side-by-side — Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition includes Parallels Desktop for Mac 4.0, the number one Mac system utility, currently used by more than two million people to run Windows side-by-side with Mac applications. This award-winning virtualization software provides a fully integrated seamless experience, offering users the greatest stability and performance available for running Windows on a Mac, as recognized in 3rd party industry benchmarks³. Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac incorporates a range of security, backup and power saving features to give Mac users the easiest way to run Windows on a Mac.
"For years I have worked with switchers coming into Apple stores with questions about how to use their new Mac," says Saied Ghaffari, Switch to Mac Advocate. "Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition thoroughly addresses the concerns switchers have and the product is designed to make moving to Mac as fast and simple as possible, regardless of the level of technical knowledge of the switcher. Innovative learning features like Click to Learn, Watch Saied, and You Try shorten the time switchers need to become comfortable with their Mac from two weeks down to about two hours. It’s like a friend teaching you the Mac at your own pace."
Availability and Pricing
Parallels Desktop 4.0 Switch to Mac Edition is available from today at Apple stores, at Apple.com and through other preferred retail partners in English, German and French. The suggested retail price (SRP) of the product is $99.99.
Parallels offers a range of free support options for customers of Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition, from knowledge bases and forums to phone and email support. For more information, visit parallels.com/support/.
In depth information, video demonstrations and screenshots of Parallels Desktop 4.0 Switch to Mac Edition are available at parallels.com/products/desktop/stm/.
About Parallels — Optimized Computing
Parallels (parallels.com) is a worldwide leader in virtualization and automation software that optimizes computing for consumers, businesses, and cloud services providers across all major hardware, operating systems, and virtualization platforms. Founded in 1999, Parallels is a fast-growing company with 700 employees in North America, Europe, and Asia.
¹ IDC press release: iPhone, Mac sales continue to propel Apple forward (June 2009)
² Apple Insider: Notes of Interest from Apple’s Q309 Quarterly Conference (July 2009)
³ MacTech Benchmark: "In the majority of overall averages of our tests, Parallels Desktop is the clear winner running 14-20% faster than VMware Fusion." (March 2009)
NetworkWorld: "Parallels won our overall performance tests on both Mac and Windows platforms. And Parallels Desktop is our Clear Choice Test winner for Mac desktop virtualization." (July 2009)
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