Many people across the world rely on running virtual machines every single day. If they want to use a Windows application, virtual machine apps allow them to run both Mac OS X and Windows on an Apple machine.

The eighth version of Parallels Desktop for Mac (Parallels Desktop 8) will be available on September 4, which promises greater assimilation between the Windows and Mac OS X operating systems.

In the latest update Parallels has improved the performance, along with I/O operations and the gaming performance will be 30 percent faster than they were in Parallels Desktop 7.

Users of Parallels Desktop 8 will be able to boot, suspend, shut down, and recommence virtual machines up to 25 percent faster than in the previous version. This new version also adds Windows 8 integration and Retina Display support.

Parallels Desktop 8 brings Windows apps to Mountain Lion’s Launchpad, the application launcher and more in OS X. The standard edition of Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac costs $79.99. Students can pick up the Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac Student Edition for $39.99, and if you’re a current user, the upgrade is priced at $49.99.

If you’re a VMWare user who wants to switch to Parallels Desktop, a full version for can be obtained for $49.99. Anyone who purchased Parallels Desktop 7 on or after July 25, 2012 is eligible for a free upgrade.