PARALLELS - The Best Mac Tips – Productivity Tips for Mac Users (2015)

The Best Mac Tips – Productivity Tips for Mac Users (2015)

PARALLELS

PARALLELS DESKTOP 11 FOR Mac is the latest updated version of the application which is designed for running the Windows application on Mac without any rebooting requirements. With Parallels, you can use Windows applications such as Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, Access and countless others that are otherwise not available on Mac.

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This app allows you to make quick switches between Windows and Mac through which you can impeccably leverage the strong points of Windows on your Mac and use the many features of Mac inside Windows. Parallels has some variations in the form of its business and pro edition versions along with its desktop version.

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Parallels Desktop is best suited for students and for those who want to use it at home. The Pro Edition is perfect for developers, power users and testers while the Business Edition is perfect for work or business operation settings.

Features

Here are some of the features and properties associated with Parallels:

Easy Switch Functionality

Parallels makes it extremely easy for you to switch between your PC and your Mac. You can obtain all your applications, browser bookmarks and applications etc. from your PC to your Mac with utmost ease. All you will need to do is to correctly follow the setup assistant.

Power Packed Performance

If you opt for the Parallels Desktop Pro Edition, it will provide greater processing power to your virtual machines. It gives you up till 16 vCPUs and up to 64 GB vRAM per virtual machine which allows you to run even the most demanding of applications with absolute ease.

Business Class Software

The Parallels Desktop Business Edition is equipped with features such as advanced security, centralized license management and a unified volume license key. These features are helpful in keeping IT in total control of Windows virtual machines and end user licenses.

Super Quick Performance

Shut down time and boot time is as much as 50% faster for Windows 10 and 8.1. Also, the virtual machines become 20% faster and you can perform a variety of other tasks up to 25% quicker in Windows.

Enhanced Battery Life

With the brand new Travel Mode, you can now shut down resource intensive services temporarily and extend your battery life whenever you are far and away from a power source.

Visual Studio

The remote de-bugging features of visual studio is present with the Pro Edition and can be used for starting up an application within a virtual machine for the purpose of de-bugging.

Not Limited To Just Windows

Parallels not only allows you to run Windows on your Mac, you can run a wide range of operating systems inclusive of Windows 10, 8.1 and 7, OS X, Google Chrome and Linux. Parallels is a very versatile app that makes it possible for you to run basically anything on your Mac.

App Run Properties

With Parallels, you can run your Mac and Windows applications side by side without the need to reboot. You also have the option of selecting your view so as to make Windows invisible when you are using its applications. Another thing you can do is to maintain the familiar and highly famous Windows background along with its controls, on your Mac.

Optimized Tuning

With Parallels, tuning is just a click away. All you are required to do is select games, development, design or productivity, and Parallels Desktop 11 will start working to optimize your virtual machine performance and settings for you.

Support Properties

Parallels not only supports Windows 10, it is also capable of running OS X EI Capitan without the presence of any difficulty. You can also use your virtual assistant, Microsoft Cortana on your Mac with the Parallels app.

Boot Camp Compatibility

Another feature of Parallels is that it allows you to re-use your current Boot Camp installation. You can also very intuitively and very easily convert a virtual machine from Boot Camp.

Tips on Using Parallels for Your Mac

Mentioned below are some tips that will help you in making the best use of Parallels on your Mac.

Activating and Registering Parallels Desktop

After having installed the Parallels Desktop, you will need to activate and then register it. Here is what you’ll need to do:

· The first step is to sign into the Parallels account you’ve created by entering your email address and selecting the option of I have a password

· Then enter in your password and click on the Sign In option

· If you haven’t created a Parallels account, you’ll need to enter in an email address in order to have your account created

· Then select the I’m a new user option

· Click the Sign In button and start following the onscreen instructions

Installing and Adjusting Software Update Settings

To improve the performance of your Parallels Desktop, you’ll be required to install the free software updates on a periodic basis. You will be prompted to install an update whenever it becomes available and it can easily be done by following the onscreen instructions.

You can adjust your software update setting by doing either one of the following set of steps:

Step Set 1

· Go to the Menu bar and click on the Parallels icon

· Press and hold on to the Option (Alt) key and select Preferences

· Click on General

Step Set 2

· If the screen top is showing the Parallels Desktop Menu bar, choose Parallels Desktop > Preferences

· Click on General

After having done one of the step sets mentioned above, you will have to do any one of the following depending on your choice:

1. If you want to adjust the frequency of the way Parallels checks its software updates, you can:

· Go to the Check for Updates menu

· Select either Once a Month, Once a Week, Once a Day or Never

1. If you want to choose the option of automatic updates, Parallels Desktop can do that for you. All you have to do is:

· Select the option of Download Updates Automatically

If you choose not to get any automatic updates, you will only get notified whenever an update is available after which you will be asked if you would like to download it.

Setting the Language

If you would like to set the language used by the Parallels Desktop interface, you will need to perform the following set of steps:

· Quit the Parallels Desktop

· Select Apple menu > System Preferences > Language & Region

· Drag the language of your choice to the very top of the list

In case you are unable to view in the list the language you would like to use:

· Click the Add button which is in the form of the plus symbol (+)

· Then open the Parallels Desktop

If you want to run Windows on your Mac, Parallels is the best application to install. There are also different variations for different people to suit their diversified backgrounds and career options. Parallels allows you to experience performance optimization and comes with a great deal of effective features and functionality options to help you benefit a great deal on choosing to use this app.