Following up on last month’s Virtualization Benchmarks, MacTech today released a detailed study of gaming under virtualization with Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac. Using 20 of the most popular PC-only games on the market –- including Transformers: War of Cybertron, Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars, and Batman Arkham Asylum –- MacTech used frames per second measurements to determine playability.

“Of the 20 games we tested, about three quarters of the games played well (meaning a playability score of 7 or more). A quarter of the games played so well you forgot you were in virtualization. If that’s not impressive, I don’t know what is.”

Below are favorable some quotes from MacTech:

Enemy Territory: QUAKE Wars – “The game played absolutely flawlessly.”

Transformers: War for Cybertron – “Looked perfect. Played impeccably.”

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – “Overall, very solid gameplay. The frame rate was more consistent than on an Xbox 360.”

Empire: Total War – “Worked perfectly.”

For more reviews, check out the full article here.

Today the makers of the popular Mac virtualization software Parallels announced the release of the latest addition to their product line, Parallels Desktop 6, and according to numerous sources, it just plain rocks.

Many may be familiar with previous versions of Parallels Desktop software which allow users to run multiple operating systems on a Mac without having to reboot. The newest version adds a host of impressive features which have never before been seen in the virtualization world. Here’s a few of the new features as seen on the Parallels website:

-A 64-bit engine allowing users to utilize all of their Mac’s power

-5.1 surround sound capabilities (a personal favorite)

-Improved network, hard drive and Transporter performance

-Enhanced 3D graphics that are 40% better than previous versions

-The ability to launch Windows 2x faster than any other solution

-Smoother import of VMware, Virtual PC virtual machines and Boot Camp partitions

To get a hold of PD6 you may have to wait until the official release date, Tuesday, September 14th. However, for all faithful Parallels users (those who are already running a version of Parallels Desktop) you can upgrade to Parallels Desktop 6 as of today!

Here is the pricing layout: Parallels Desktop 6 will cost $79.99 for the standard version, and $39.99 for the student version. Parallels Desktop 5 owners will be able to upgrade for $49.99 (promotional pricing will be available for prior versions of Parallels Desktop). Those who purchased Parallels Desktop 5 on or after August 15, will be able to upgrade for free.

With this ground-breaking new version, Parallels solidifies itself yet again as the undeniable leader in virtualization software. Dare we say this new version is… unparalleled?

Here are some of the latest reviews: PCWorld, BetaNews, DigitalTrends, Tuaw

[via Parallels]

Good news for all you virtual machine users out there. Parallels recently released an offer for any VMWare Fusion users looking to switch over to Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac. The VM software, which allows users to run Windows or other operating systems simultaneously on a Mac with OS X, normally sells for $79.99, but from now until June 15th for Fusion users, the cost is reduced to $39.99.

The deal is quite simple, go to the offer website, enter your Fusion license key to validate your ownership, and voila, you get Parallels for 40 bucks. So if you are a VMWare Fusion user and you have ever wanted to test out Parallels, this now is a good time to give it the old college try.

Yesterday MacTech published a Youtube video showing Parallels Desktop 5 whooping VMWare Fusion 3 in gaming.  They tested games such as Firefly Forest, Canyon Flight and Deep Freeze just to name a few.  Now I can game more on my Mac with Parallels.  The graphics are way better on Parallels Desktop and gaming is smoother.  After watching the video of MacTech benchmarking Parallels Desktop to Fusion, I realized that if I play games on Fusion, that I would be missing half of the graphics.  So now in combination with Valve and Parallels Desktop, I can game more.  Watch this MacTech video benchmark test comparing Parallels Desktop 5 and Fusion 3:

The world of technology is like gladiator warfare.  The gold medal always goes to the person who thinks of the innovation first or the first person in the know or even the first person or company who is able to upgrade the invention the fastest.  In the world of virtualization, Parallels is charging ahead and is showing to be the true contender of all virtualization software.  Don’t take my word on it.  Read what MacTech has to say about Parallels Desktop 5:

According to MacTech, Parallels “is the clear winner running each group of tests 5-127% faster than VMware’s solution. Overall, Parallels Desktop 5 runs 30% faster with Windows XP, and 43% faster with Windows 7, than VMware Fusion 3.0.1. Or see the graph if you are more visual (take note that on this graph, shorter is faster).”

Aside from the overall winner, Parallels crushed the competition in the overall graphics performance.  Read some of these stats from MacTech:

1.  The measurements that best represent the overall gaming experience show Parallels performing 81% faster under Windows XP, and 127% faster under Windows 7.

2.  The speed difference in FPS was noticeably faster in Parallels Desktop when compared to VMware Fusion.

3.  We were surprised by was how much less disk space the base installation of Windows XP Pro used on v5 vs. v4. v5 uses about 1/3 less actual drive space on your Mac.

At the end of the day, as Douglas MacArthur said “[there] is no substitute for victory” [via thinkexist] and Parallels Desktop is experiencing that victory tastes good.

[via MacTech]