Parallels Desktop

Parallels Desktop
Name	Parallels Desktop
Developer	Parallels International GmbH
Operating system	macOS
Genre	Hypervisor, Virtual machine
License	Proprietary software

Parallels Desktop. It is a hypervisor that enables virtualization on Apple Macintosh computers running macOS. Developed by Parallels International GmbH, the software allows users to run other operating systems, such as Microsoft Windows and various Linux distributions, simultaneously with macOS without requiring a system reboot. This capability is primarily utilized for software compatibility, development, and testing across different computing platforms.

Overview

The software was first introduced to leverage the transition of Apple Inc. to Intel processors, which provided the necessary hardware support for efficient virtualization. It quickly became a popular solution for Macintosh users needing access to Microsoft Windows applications, such as those in the Microsoft Office suite or specific business software titles not natively available on macOS. Over successive versions, it has integrated deeply with the macOS environment, offering features like Coherence mode, which allows Windows applications to appear as if they are native programs on the Mac desktop. The development team, based in locations like Bellevue and with significant operations in Russia, has consistently updated the software to support new versions of both macOS and guest operating systems like Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Features

Key functionalities include the ability to run multiple virtual machines concurrently, with support for a wide array of guest operating systems including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Google Chrome OS. The Coherence mode seamlessly integrates Windows application windows into the macOS Dock and Mission Control. For developers, tools like Visual Studio and Docker can run within a virtual machine, while DirectX and OpenGL support enables running Windows games and CAD software such as AutoCAD. Additional features include snapshot management, Touch Bar integration on supported MacBook Pro models, and the ability to use Boot Camp partitions as virtual machine disks. Integration with Apple Silicon introduced Rosetta 2 translation for ARM-based applications within Windows 11 for ARM.

System requirements

The software requires a Macintosh computer with an Intel or Apple Silicon processor, a minimum of 4 GB of RAM, and approximately 500 MB of disk space for the application itself, though each virtual machine requires additional storage for its operating system and applications. It is compatible with specific versions of macOS, such as macOS Monterey and macOS Ventura. For running Microsoft Windows, a valid license from Microsoft is required, and adequate resources must be allocated from the host system's CPU and RAM. Support for Apple Silicon Macs necessitates the use of ARM architecture versions of guest operating systems, such as Windows 11 for ARM.

Licensing and editions

Parallels International GmbH offers several commercial editions, including a Standard edition for home users, a Pro edition for software developers and IT professionals, and a Business edition for enterprise deployment with centralized management tools. Licensing is typically an annual subscription model, providing access to major updates and technical support. Academic discounts are available for students and faculty through the Education program. The company also provides a free trial version for evaluation. Historically, a Lite version was available through the Mac App Store, but the primary distribution is now direct from the Parallels International GmbH website.

Reception and market position

Upon its release, the software received positive reviews from publications like Macworld and Ars Technica, often praised for its performance and seamless integration compared to alternatives like VMware Fusion and Oracle VM VirtualBox. It has consistently been awarded Editor's Choice accolades and has maintained a strong market position as a leading virtualization solution for the Macintosh platform. The transition to support Apple Silicon was noted as a critical technical achievement. Within the broader virtualization software market, it competes directly with VMware Fusion, Citrix Hypervisor, and Microsoft Hyper-V, though its focus remains predominantly on the macOS ecosystem.

Technical architecture

The software utilizes a type 2 hypervisor that runs atop the host macOS operating system, leveraging hardware virtualization extensions like Intel VT-x and AMD-V on Intel-based Macs. On Apple Silicon Macs, it uses the ARM architecture virtualization framework provided by macOS. It employs a custom virtual machine monitor to allocate physical resources such as CPU cores, RAM, and GPU access to guest operating systems. For Windows guests, it includes optimized virtual device drivers, known as Parallels Tools, to enhance graphics performance, network interface integration, and shared folder functionality with the host macOS system. The architecture supports advanced features like nested virtualization for running other hypervisors, such as Google Cloud's nested virtualization, within a virtual machine.

Category:Virtualization software Category:MacOS software Category:Proprietary software