Parallels Desktop 9 with OS X Mavericks and Cloud Services Support Launches for Existing Customers

Parallels today announced the launch of Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac, the latest version of the company's software for running alternate operating systems such as Windows in virtualized environments on the Mac. The new version is available today as an upgrade for existing Parallels users, and it goes on sale for new customers September 5, in line with pre-order information that began popping up earlier this month.

Parallels Desktop 9 brings a number of new features and enhancements, including faster performance and support for Apple's upcoming OS X Mavericks and Microsoft's Windows 8.1, while also building in new support for a number of cloud services. Among the main features of Parallels Desktop 9 are:

- Support for cloud services: Sync iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, SkyDrive etc., with your Mac and your Windows virtual machine without unnecessary duplication of files locally
- Enhanced Windows 8 and 8.1 support: Parallels Desktop brings back the real Start menu and lets customers use Metro apps in a window instead of full screen
- Security Center: Easily access and install complimentary security software subscriptions to keep the Mac and Windows virtual machines safe from viruses and malware, all from one location
- Enhanced new Virtual Machine Wizard: It is easier than ever to set up a new virtual machine, especially on computers that don’t have DVD drives
- Power Nap support: On a Retina MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air, the Power Nap feature now extends to Windows and Windows apps, so virtual machines and all Windows applications are always up-to-date


Upgrade pricing on Parallels Desktop 9 for users of version 7 or 8 is $49.99, with standard retail pricing set at $79.99 for regular users and $39.99 for students. Customers who purchased Parallels Desktop 8 on or after August 15 can also receive a free upgrade to version 9.

For a limited time, Parallels Desktop 9 customers also receive a free six-month subscription to the new Parallels Access service that allows users to access Mac and Windows machines from their iPads.

Popular Stories

Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's CarPlay Ultra Is Here – Does Your iPhone Support It?

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:17 am PDT by
Apple's recently announced CarPlay Ultra promises a deeply integrated in-car experience, but not all iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature. According to Apple's press release, CarPlay Ultra requires an iPhone 12 or later running iOS 18.5 or later. This means if you're using an iPhone 11, iPhone XR, or any older model, you'll need to upgrade your device to access...
Apple CarPlay Ultra instrument cluster themes 01

Apple's 'CarPlay Ultra' Experience Now Available

Thursday May 15, 2025 5:07 am PDT by
Apple today announced that its next-generation CarPlay experience, now dubbed "CarPlay Ultra" begins rolling out today, starting with Aston Martin vehicles. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. CarPlay Ultra is now available with new Aston Martin vehicle orders in the U.S. and Canada. It will also be available for existing models that feature the brand's next-generation ...
iPhone 17 Air Pastel Feature

iPhone 17 Air Battery Capacity and Weight Allegedly Revealed

Monday May 19, 2025 2:22 am PDT by
Apple is expected to launch an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17 Air later this year, and while there have been plenty of rumors about the camera's overall design and thinness, we haven't heard any details about the device's weight and battery capacity until now. According to the leaker going by the account name "yeux1122" on the Korean-langauge Naver blog, the 6.6-inch iPhone 17 Air has a weight ...
CarPlay Ultra Climate Controls

Apple Says These Vehicle Brands Plan to Offer All-New CarPlay Ultra

Thursday May 15, 2025 8:13 am PDT by
Apple today announced the launch of CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. CarPlay Ultra features deep integration with a vehicle's instrument cluster and systems, built-in Radio and Climate apps, customizable widgets, and more. The interface is tailored to each vehicle model and automaker's identity, and drivers can also adjust...
iOS 18 Siri Personal Context

Apple Will Reportedly Be More Cautious About Announcing New Features Well in Advance

Sunday May 18, 2025 2:50 pm PDT by
Apple plans to mostly stop announcing new features more than a few months before they are ready to launch, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Drake Bennett. The pair of reporters revealed this noteworthy tidbit towards the bottom of a lengthy report about Apple's artificial intelligence shortcomings today. This alleged change in strategy comes after Apple was forced to delay its more...
Apple Intelligence General Feature

Report: Apple's Next-Gen Version of Siri Is 'On Par' With ChatGPT

Monday May 19, 2025 9:00 am PDT by
Apple has big plans to improve Siri over the next few years, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman and Drake Bennett report. Some Apple executives are now reportedly pushing to turn Siri into a true ChatGPT competitor. A next-generation, chatbot version of Siri has reportedly made significant progress during testing over the past six months; some executives allegedly now see it as "on par" with recent...

Top Rated Comments

twintin Avatar
153 months ago
I think for most it would be much cheaper to buy a secondary machine instead of paying their yearly Parallels-tax...

or just use Virtualbox, which is free.
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
cymerc Avatar
153 months ago
If Parallels actually supported their software I'd probably get this. They seem to have a bad habit of dropping support as soon as there is a new version (which is every year).
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Detektiv-Pinky Avatar
153 months ago
If Parallels actually supported their software I'd probably get this. They seem to have a bad habit of dropping support as soon as there is a new version (which is every year).
It is amazing how much money people are prepared to invest to run Windows on a Mac. I think for most it would be much cheaper to buy a secondary machine instead of paying their yearly Parallels-tax...
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
john123 Avatar
153 months ago
It is amazing how much money people are prepared to invest to run Windows on a Mac. I think for most it would be much cheaper to buy a secondary machine instead of paying their yearly Parallels-tax...

It's not about cost. It's about convenience. Having two machines, especially for those of us who are mobile/laptop only, just isn't viable. Plus, the integration of files between the guest and the host OS actually comes in handy.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Codyak Avatar
153 months ago
If you whant to play still dent upgrade!Sounds an mice does not work at all.

Did you just have a stroke?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
153 months ago
Parallels is basically subscription-ware. It is very good at eventually breaking with OS X updates, and you have to pay to acquire a version that works again.

I got tired of the constant pay pay pay and switched to VirtualBox. VirtualBox is free and works nearly as well.

Other software doesn't break when OS X updates, why must Parallels?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)