Hi, I currently have a subscription for a single licence of Parallels Desktop Pro. I need to add another licence, potentially two. I do use Parallels for business use primarily. With Parallels Desktop, you can switch between Mac and Windows without ever needing to reboot your computer. If you have already installed Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, or Windows 7 on your Mac using Boot Camp, you can set Parallels Desktop to run Windows from the Boot Camp Partition or import Windows and your data from Boot Camp into Parallels Desktop as a new virtual machine.
Parallels Desktop for Mac lets you run Windows and Windows apps on your Mac, shoulder to shoulder with OS X.
Pros
VM setup choices: With Parallels Desktop for Mac, you can set up a virtual machine by using a Windows 10 disc image; by migrating Windows from a PC, either over a network or from an external hard drive; or by using the version of Windows you installed with Apple's Boot Camp, if you previously went through that process. Or you can run a second copy of OS X, earlier versions of Windows, or Chrome OS in the Parallels virtual machine.
Choice of views: After setup, select how you want to see and work with Windows. If you choose the Coherence view, Parallels folds Windows into OS X, placing a collection of Windows controls in the OS X menu bar and dock, giving you access to the Start menu, Action Center, and System Tray icons. Exiting the Coherence view presents the traditional Windows desktop and apps gathered in a separate window. Either way, it's easy to move between OS X and Windows environments.
Solid integration: Through Parallels, you have quick access to the Windows 10 Store and the Edge browser and the ability to call on Cortana for help. Copy and paste works seamlessly between environments.
Cons
Almost too well integrated: The Coherence view sweeps away the Windows desktop, but the way it merges the Windows and OS X environments can feel cluttered, with Windows and OS X controls crowded into the menu bar, for example.
Bottom Line
Parallels Desktop for Mac does a good job of letting you work in the OS X and Windows environments simultaneously, switching between Mac and Windows apps. You have several options for how to blend Windows into OS X, although at times the merged OSes can feel a bit crowded.
What do you need to know about free software?
Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition was designed for developers, web and graphic designers, power users, and other demanding pros.
Whether you are testing applications across platforms, or building websites for many different browsers, Parallels Desktop Pro Edition will simplify your workspace. Productivity is at the heart of every feature that was added to the all new Pro Edition: do more in less time with higher quality.
Parallels Desktop Pro Edition is available as a subscription; you will always enjoy running the latest version of Parallels Desktop as a benefit of your subscription. Pro Edition also includes a no-charge subscriptions to Parallels Access - the easiest way to remotely access your computer from anywhere; and Parallels Toolbox - a set of essential Mac tools.
Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition includes the following features and capabilities:
- Pro Edition supports up to 16 virtual (v)CPUs and 128GB of vRAM, per VM, and enables nested virtualization, PMU virtualization and guest OS debugging support.
- The addition of a Microsoft Visual Studio plug-in, which helps you test your applications across operating systems.
- Easily download a virtual machine with Windows 10 Development Environment with Visual Studio.
- Create development environments in a virtual machine, and easily backup, share, or restore it. Pro Edition debuts with support and integration for popular development tools, including Chef, Jenkins, and Vagrant.
- Use Parallels Vagrant plugin to work with reproducible, and portable work environments.
- Use Linked clones in Vagrant plugin to create a new boxes fast and use disk space efficiently.
- Use Command Line Interface tools to control Parallels Desktop for Mac and virtual machines, their settings and configuration.
- Use bash completion for Parallels CLI tools.
- Natively manage your Docker virtual machines (VMs), manipulate your VM with SSH or the command line, and support linked clones and VM templates.
- An enhanced network editor allows you to test different connectivity issues: simulate unstable network connection or limit network bandwidth in a VM.
- Run virtual machines in “headless” mode, accessing services running on these VMs without expending resources on the UI.
- Set a delay for a VM start (on Mac or Parallels Desktop start).
- Set a custom icon for every VM.
- Resolve DNS requests from VM using info in /etc/resolver.
- Port forwarding: pass traffic from a Mac port to VM or IP address and desired port.
- Use VM names as their DNS names.
- Use tcpdump with virtual networks.
- Create custom host-only networks.
- Sort VMs in Control Center.
- Rollback Mode support: revert changes on VM shutdown.
- Access Pro Tools from the Develop menu: SSH, WEB, DBG, DUMP.
- Use Netboot for macOS VMs.
- Archive/Unarchive VMs in Control Center.
- Limit VM resources usage (per every .VM).
- Use 8.3 filenames for Shared Folders.
- Use EFI Secure Boot.
- Support for mmap() in Linux Shared Folders.
- Support DNS requests over TCP in Shared Network mode
- Connect physical disks to VMs as internal disks
- Virtual TPM support
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In addition, Parallels Desktop Pro Edition extends all the features and capabilities of Parallels Desktop for Mac, such as:
Parallels For Mac Support
- Improved virtual machine performance and battery life, Mac-Windows integration, and Force Touch support
- Microsoft Windows 10 Cortana support
- Travel Mode and Quick Look
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Visit the Parallels website for more information on the differences between Parallels Desktop editions.