Parallels Desktop® for Mac is the fastest, easiest, and most powerful application for running Windows® on a Mac®—without rebooting. Brought to you by the world-class developers of the #1-rated Mac virtualization software. Note: It is not recommended that existing Parallels Desktop® for Mac users move to Parallels Desktop. A quick how-to on converting VMs from Parallels on Mac, to VirtualBox on Windows. First stage in leaving Apple Mac and going back to Windows After an 18 month love/hate relationship with my Macbook Pro, I have decided its time to say goodbye to Apple and go back to my roots in Windows (10).
These days, running Windows on your Mac is pretty straightforward thanks to virtualisation software. You can even manage it without paying a single penny thanks to VirtualBox, but the truth is, if you're serious about running Windows apps on your Mac, then Parallels Desktop is the tool to choose.
Parallels enables you to emulate just about any flavour of Windows as well as older builds of OS X and even Linux too. You can set up as many virtual machines as you want - your only limit is available disk space, the system requirements of your chosen VM and whether or not you have valid install media (and product key).
Over the years Parallels has evolved its feature set to make running Windows apps on your Mac as seamless as possible - you can set up your VM in Coherence mode for example where the Windows desktop is hidden away and your applications run directly from your Mac desktop in their own window, with key Windows tools such as the Start menu accessible from the menu bar. It works well for those who aren't interested in anything than getting certain apps to run on their Mac.
Setting up your VM is straightforward with simple wizards and intelligent presets (such as your regional settings coming from your Mac) speeding things up further.
VMs have always been a drain on system resources, and while you can't expect to enjoy the same level of performance from one, Parallels Desktop takes steps to close the performance gap further, promising faster loading times for documents, reduced memory usage and even better power usage (save up to 30% on battery life).
Although a little pricey - the cost of Parallels is more than a copy of Windows - if you're serious about emulating Windows or Windows apps on your Mac, or want access to older versions of OS X for compatibility purposes, it's the go-to virtualisation app you need.
Verdict:
Gets better with each new release - if you're serious about running Windows apps on your Mac, Parallels Desktop is the tool you need.
Apple’s “one more thing” event on November 10, 2020, revealed the first Mac computers powered by the Apple M1 chip.
Parallels is excited to see the performance, power efficiency, and virtualization features that are brought to the Mac with the Apple M1 chip. The transition to Mac with the M1 chip should be smooth for most Mac applications, thanks to Rosetta technology. Fortunately, Parallels Access™, Parallels® Toolbox, and Parallels®Client software worked smoothly even before Parallels rebuilt them as universal binaries. However, virtual machines are an exception. It is important to note that currently available versions of Parallels® Desktop for Mac cannot run virtual machines on Mac with the M1 chip. The good news: a new version of Parallels Desktop for Mac that can run on Mac with the M1 chip is already in active development. With a subscription of Parallels Desktop, you’ll always have access to the latest versions.
When Apple Silicon Mac was first announced during the keynote at WWDC on June 22 of this year, Apple demoed a Parallels Desktop for Mac prototype running a Linux virtual machine flawlessly on Apple Silicon. Since WWDC, the new version of Parallels Desktop, which runs on Mac with the Apple M1 chip, has made tremendous progress. We switched Parallels Desktop to universal binary and optimized its virtualization code; and the version that we are eager to try on the new MacBook Air, Mac mini and MacBook Pro 13″ looks very promising. Parallels is also amazed by the news from Microsoft about adding support of x64 applications in Windows on ARM.
As our customers know, Parallels cares deeply about the quality of our software products and the experience they provide. With macOS Big Sur and the new Mac with Apple M1 chip becoming available, we will continue to do more extensive evaluations, both in our lab and with your help via the upcoming Parallels Technical Preview Program. If you are interested in exploring the Preview Program, click the button below, register or sign into a Parallels account, and be among the first to try it.
Virtualbox Parallel Port
If you are not yet ready to purchase a new Mac with the Apple M1 chip, or participate in the Technical Preview Program, but would like to get all the latest news about Mac with Apple M1 chip supported by Parallels Desktop, simply let us know when you complete and submit the form after clicking the Subscribe button below.