Parallels Desktop is a Mac application that allows virtualizing the Windows OS on any Mac. Like the VirtualBox for Windows, the Parallels Desktop also is a virtualization software where you could install the Windows or its applications seamlessly. It supports almost any Windows applications to run on your Mac. You don’t have reboot the Mac or select a different partition to install the extra OS. The automated processes can help you to run Windows applications as running a Mac application. No hassles or problems will be there in the setup or the maintenance.
So today, we decided to review the Parallels Desktop which will help thousands of people who are still in search of the perfect way to run Windows applications on Mac Osx. In this review, we will analyze the software top to bottom and will provide some of the most noticeable features alongside our final verdict. If you are one of those who wanted to run Windows applications on Mac, you should take a look at this review. So, let’s start.
What is Parallels Desktop?
Parallels reduced the performance capabilities of the Parallels Desktop for Mac 11 edition by artificially limiting the amount of RAM that can be assigned to a virtual machine to 8 GBs, and the number of CPUs that can be assigned to a virtual machine to four. This is in contrast to the previous version of Parallels, which had no artificial. Launch Parallels Desktop.app, but do not start your virtual machine. Click on the Parallels icon on the Mac menu bar > select Control Center. Right-click on your virtual machine and select Remove. Select Keep files if you wish to access the files from this virtual machine later. The virtual machine.
- Using Parallels Desktop 9 for Mac you can run several other kinds of operating systems (p. 130) on your Mac, such as several flavors of Linux and Unix, Mac OS X Server, Windows 8, older versions of Windows, and more.
- The virtual machine can also be found via Parallels Desktop Control Center. Click on Parallels Desktop logo on Mac menu bar > Control Center. Right click Parallels Desktop application icon in the dock > Control Center.
- Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac makes it easier than ever to get back space on your Mac! Get up to 20 GB back with new disk usage optimization. Automatically reorganize your virtual disk to increase limits for optimal storage savings.
As mentioned before Parallels Desktop is a Mac program that helps to run Windows applications on Mac. In other words, it is a virtual engine like many other softwares we already have seen on the market (like VMware.) It comes with very nice power management features to provide a better power consumption control throughout the usage. It reduces the resource usage of the virtual engine as much as possible resulting in the minimum power consumption. From our tests, there was only a slight difference in the power usage of the Mac even after running the Parallels Desktop software. This makes it possible to enjoy the virtual machine even on low battery or long journeys.
Mac Virtual Machine For Windows
Parallels Desktop Interface
The Parallels Desktop interface is very easy to use where the necessary buttons and links are placed. There is also a wizard mode available on the software to make it even simpler to create and run virtual machines where any of the Windows or Linux programs running. The latest version of the software also includes many other platforms varies according to the edition. Even though, to create a virtual machine you have to sweat a little especially if you are a beginner. There are no exact documentations available with the software that describes the setup and maintenance process of the Windows or Linux virtual machines.
If you are familiar with such virtualization tools, the software will be quite easier to use, and you will never face an issue in any part of the software. Parallels Desktop is also coming with the support to add existing virtual machines in case you saved it earlier on any other storage medias. All in all, the interface and first look at the software will surely make you an impression.
Parallels Desktop Features
Here are some of the most noticeable features of the Parallels Desktop application. Having a look at them will help you in determining what you will get with it.
One-touch Tools
The One-touch tools in the Parallels desktop makes it easier to fulfill various tasks in the virtualized OS. To take a screenshot, cast your screen, access the internet, download videos, all you have to do is simply clicking some buttons. It is no more difficult to control your virtual machine.
Run Windows on your Mac without rebooting
You don’t have to reboot your Mac to run Windows on it. Simply open the Parallels software and create a virtual machine. Then start using it seamlessly until you get bored. At any point, the Windows needs to be restarted; you just restart the virtual machine instead of the Mac.
Use any Windows applications
Free Mac Virtual Machine
It can run almost any windows application without any trouble. You can enjoy using any Windows applications on Mac like using a Mac program. No problems or bugs were found in our tests.
Optimized for Windows 10 and ready for MacOS Sierra
The Parallels Desktop is no more older. The software supports all the popular platforms including Windows 10 and the MacOS Sierra. So the compatibility will be no longer questioned.
500 GB of online backup storage for 1 year
To sweeten the features, the Parallels offers 500GB of online storage for the users. This is available with any edition of the program. If you have any of your important files to store from the virtual machine and you have access to the internet, you are so lucky.
Also Run other operating systems
If you bored of running just the Windows OS on the Parallels, it could also run various other platforms including Linux and Google Chrome OS. The supported platforms are ranging as, OS X, Windows 10, 8.1 & 7, Linux, and Google Chrome OS.
Parallels Desktop 9 For Mac
Easily switch between the operating systems
It is very easy to switch between the operating systems. For example, if you want to copy something from your virtual machine or to the virtual machine, the setup assistant is always there for you.
Good performance
Parallels Desktop runs quite good when compared to other softwares to run Windows on Mac. It uses very low resources except in high usage conditions like gaming on the virtual machine.
Retina Support
The new versions of the software are coming with Retina support independent on the resolution or other display features.
Non-Compromised Security
Even if you are using a virtual machine, the security of the OS will be non-compromised. You could set separate passwords for any of the virtual machines or folders to secure it from external access. This is a unique feature that we can’t see on other competitors.
Pros
- Run Windows and Linux Virtual Machines on Mac
- Improved integration between Mac and Windows programs
- Even some games are supported
- Very power efficient
- Supports macOS Sierra and Windows 10 Anniversary Update
- Not completely free
- Sometimes, uses high resources (Especially for gaming)
- No much guidance for the new users
Cons
Verdict
Parallels Desktop is an unquestioned Windows emulator for Mac. With its features and the ability in running almost any Windows programs, Parallels Desktop dominating the virtual machine industry on Mac. A new license of the software starts from $79.99 and varies according to the editions. If you would like to give a try to the software before going to buy it, you could do that from the following link. Thousands of people already using Parallels Desktop to run Windows on Mac, you also give it a try.
- Not yet rated
A regular cycle of annual upgrades has established Parallels Desktop as the leading virtualisation tool for Mac users who need to run Windows apps and software tools that aren't normally available on the Mac. Those upgrades also tend to coincide with new versions of macOS itself, so with macOS Mojave now in the final stages of beta testing it's time for version 14 of Parallels Desktop to make its debut.
Last year's upgrade to v13 largely focused on catching up with recent developments in Mac hardware, such as the Touch Bar on Apple's latest MacBook Pro laptops. In contrast, v14 is more forward-looking, allowing you to create Windows virtual machines (VMs) that support new technologies, such as Intel's high-performance AVX-512 instruction set, which is used in the current Xeon-based iMac Pro, as well as the next generation of Cannon Lake chips. The developers have also improved OpenGL support for Windows VMs in order to enhance performance for a number of graphics-intensive apps, such as the OriginLab range of data analysis tools, which haven't run well within the virtual machine environment in the past.
There have been performance improvements in other areas too, with Parallels claiming that Coherence mode, which hides the Windows desktop so that Windows apps simply appear on the Mac desktop alongside native Mac apps, provides 17 percent higher frame rates when running graphics software. Launch and suspend times for virtual machines are also improved, along with performance of the Windows 'virtual disk'. And, for developers who may need to run multiple virtual machines with different operating systems, there's a Disk Space Wizard that helps to reduce the overall size of each virtual machine file.
Parallels always likes to support Apple's latest eye-candy features, so Windows virtual machines in Parallels Desktop 14 will be able to use the new Quick Look markup features that are due to arrive with macOS Mojave. The Touch Bar on the MacBook Pro laptops will now work with additional Windows apps, including QuickBooks and Microsoft Visual Studio, displaying menu commands from those apps directly on the Touch Bar. And, on the Windows side of the fence, Windows 10 virtual machines will now allow you to use a pressure-sensitive stylus or trackpad with Windows Ink.
SEE: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF)
Parallels also informed us that it should be possible to accelerate graphics performance on a Windows VM using an external GPU (eGPU), such as the Blackmagic eGPU that Apple is currently promoting.