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The new Parallels Desktop 11 brings Windows 10 integration and Cortana to the Mac

By Alvin Soon - on 19 Aug 2015, 12:01pm

The new Parallels Desktop 11 brings Windows 10 integration and Cortana to Mac

Parallels has just dropped Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac, which comes with Windows 10 integration and is ready for OS X El Capitan (when that goes live from Apple).

Instead of dual-booting into a single OS (operating system), like you can do with Boot Camp for OS X, Parallels lets you run other OSes, like Windows and Linux, on top of the host OS X that's running. Depending on how strong your system is and how much coffee you've had, you can even run multiple OSes at the same time.

If you have to go there - Windows 7, 8 and 10 running simultaneously on OS X El Capitan.

The obvious advantage of running Windows on top of OS X is that you can copy and paste documents, as well as data, in-between the two OSes easily. Developers can debug code across multiple platforms without have to boot in and out of them. Parallels also brings OS X features to Windows, Parallels 11, for example, brings Quick Look to Windows, so you can space-bar and have a quick preview on Windows files, just like you can on OS X.

No Siri on OS X, but that's okay - Parallels 11 brings Cortana to the Mac

Cortana - rendered exactly like a gorgeous, horrific Skynet for some reason.

The headline feature for Parallels 11 has to be how it brings Cortana - Microsoft's version of Siri - to the Mac.

If you set Windows 10 to run in Coherence mode (which makes Windows apps appear on the Mac desktop like actual apps, not apps running inside a Windows desktop), and turn Cortana on - it's off by default - you can talk to your Mac and have it answer questions for you. Ever wanted to know the boiling point of water? Just go, “Hey, Cortana,” ask your question, and have Cortana tell you what you need to know.

Running Windows in Coherence mode makes Windows apps look like Mac apps on the Mac desktop.

Cortana is only available now in China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom, and the United States. But the cool thing about running Windows 10 on Parallels 11 is that you only need to change Windows' region setting to get Cortana working, while your Mac's region can stay in Singapore (or anywhere outside of the Cortana regions).

Another neat thing about having Cortana on the Mac is that she (it?) isn't just good for answering the odd question, you can also use it (her?) to launch apps on the Mac.

A faster, more energy-saving Parallels

Parallels 11 also brings speed and power performance improvements over Parallels 10. According to Parallels:

  • Windows launch and shutdown is up to 50 percent faster
  • File operations inside of Windows are improved by up to 20 percent
  • Virtual machine suspend is up to 20 percent faster
  • Travel Mode can increase battery life up to 25 percent
  • Improved network performance

Travel Mode on Parallels 11 extends battery life by up to 25 percent by temporarily shutting off select resources.

First time ever: a Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Pro Edition is a new version of Parallels built specifically for developers, designers and power users. It comes with integration for developer tools like Docker, Visual Studio (plug-in), network simulation and more.

Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition, previously known as Parallels Desktop for Mac Enterprise Edition, includes all the Pro Edition features, giving IT admins a way to enable and manage Windows apps on company Macs.

Unlike Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac, Parallels 11 for Mac Pro and Mac Business Editions are subscription-based, and are available to new users for S$134 per year. Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition includes a complimentary Parallels Access subscription. Parallels 11 for Mac Pro Editions is available online at www.parallels.com/desktop and at the Apple online store. Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac Business Edition is available through commercial retailers.

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is available now

Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac is available now at www.parallels.com/desktop, and at local retailers like Challenger, EpiCentre, Harvey Norman and other Apple resellers. Parallels Desktop 11 is going for S$108, upgrades for existing Parallels Desktop 9 or 10 for Mac users are S$68. There's an introductory offer to upgrade to a Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition subscription for S$68 per year, available at www.parallels.com/desktop

Double the Mac - OS X El Capitan running on top of OS X Yosemite.

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