Parallels allows multiple operating systems on Macs

Users will be able to run Windows, Linux and other operating systems at the same time as Mac OS X

Parallels, a software and server virtualisation company, has announced it is almost ready to release Desktop Release Candidate 2 for Mac, to enable Mac computers to run multiple operating systems. In the meantime the firm is inviting beta testers to try the software.

Parallels, which attracted attention when it released Boot Camp software to enable the loading of Windows on Macs, has now gone one step further. In a statement on its site the firm said that the software is, “Not simply a " dual-boot" solution; rather, it gives users the ability to use Windows, Linux and any other operating system at the same time as Mac OS X, enabling users to enjoy the comfort of their Mac OS X desktop while still being able to use critical applications from other operating systems.”

The software will enable the running of Microsoft applications alongside Mac ones on a Macintosh computer. The vendor said this was possible thanks the common Intel hardware of Mac and PC platforms.

The software has broad platform support, it can run any version of Windows, any Linux distribution, including FreeBSD and Solaris, and runs on dual-core processors using Intel’s Virtualisation technology.

The firm is taking pre-orders now, and a beta of Release Candidate 2 can be downloaded from its web site.