Parallels Desktop 8 now has support for both Mountain Lion and Windows 8, letting you switch between files and apps seamlessly, with lots of neat extras.
Jason Parker
Jason Parker has been at CNET for nearly 15 years. He is the senior editor in charge of iOS software and has become an expert reviewer of the software that runs on each new Apple device. He now spends most of his time covering Apple iOS releases and third-party apps.
Start up Windows 8 on your Mac and use Microsoft's latest operating system, with all your Mac files and apps close at hand. You can download the Consumer Preview of Windows 8 for free from within Parallels Desktop 8.
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You can't tell from this picture
Though it's not obvious, this is Windows 8 running full-screen on my Mac. It's just as responsive and usable as it would be on a Windows desktop.
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The Dock and Charms on one screen
Mouse over to the upper right of the window to see the Windows 8 Charms bar.
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Windows apps on Launchpad
Add Windows apps to Launchpad in Mountain Lion for a seamless experience.
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Same gestures, different OS
Just like with Windows 8 on the desktop, you can grab an app from the top, then pull it down and to the right to quit -- all within the Parallels Desktop 8 environment.
