Software maker Parallels has released version 3.0, a major upgrade of its Windows virtualization software for Macs. The package now allows users to attach applications -- running in either the Mac or Windows environment -- to particular files, through a feature called "SmartSelect."
The new version also supports the 3D graphics common in popular games consumers play on Windows-based PCs, like "Grand Theft Auto" and "World of Warcraft."
"A lot of users asked for 3D graphics," Benjamin Rudolph, Parallels director of communications, told MacNewsWorld. "Lots of people love their Macs -- they're great consumer machines -- but one of the key activities consumers do with their computers is play games."
Context for File Types
Like previous versions of Parallels, the the latest offering allows users to run both Mac OS X and Windows or Linux 
on the same computer at the same time. However, version 3.0 simplifies the process of designating which applications will address particular files, and on which operating platform they'll run.
For example, if a user wants all files with a ".doc" extension to open with Word for Windows rather than Word for Mac, the correlation can be set once. Then, whenever the user clicks on a document file, Word for Windows automatically will open it.
Similarly, the SmartSelect feature directs executable files to the correct operating system. For instance, Mac ".dmg" installer files automatically open in OS X -- no matter how they were downloaded -- and ".exe" files launch automatically in Windows.
Mac Graphics Faithful
Another user group that will welcome the enhanced graphics support is a core Mac customer segment: designers and architects. "They've been tied to their Windows machines for some industry-standard applications," said Rudolph, especially computer-assisted design (CAD) packages.
"They love their Mac hardware," Rudoph noted, "but they have a Windows-based CAD machine sitting in the corner." With the new Parallels version, those users can run all of their design software on one computer.
If they are hesitant about trying files downloaded from the Internet or beta versions of applications for either operating system, users can employ the new Snapshot feature to save the state of a virtual machine's memory, settings, and hard disk contents, and revert to it if things go badly.
Parallels Desktop 3.0 for Mac is available online and at Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) 
stores, in addition to other outlets, for US$79.99. A 15-day, fully functional demo copy is available for download online. Current users of previous versions of Parallels can upgrade to version 3.0 for $49.99.
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