NOTE: Download links for active Parallels Desktop for Mac versions. Parallels Desktop for Mac 5 User's Guide, American English, Click here to download.
. My mouse became unresponsive once. macOS and Linux are less responsive than Windows Summary: Parallels Desktop lets you run Windows apps on your Mac. That can be very handy if you rely on certain Windows apps for your business, or have switched to Mac and can't find alternatives for everything you need. Is it worth it?
If you have Mac apps for everything you need you won't need Parallels, and if you need just a few non-critical Windows apps a free alternative may meet your needs. But if you rely on Windows apps to get your work done, you'll need the premium Windows performance that Parallels Desktop provides. My name is Adrian Try.
After using Microsoft Windows for over a decade, I made a deliberate move away from the operating system in 2003. I enjoyed the change, but still needed certain Windows apps on a regular basis. So I found myself using a combination of dual boot, virtualization (using VMware and VirtualBox) and Wine.
See the Alternatives section of this review. I hadn't tried Parallels Desktop before. I was provided a review license, and installed version 12 on my macOS Sierra-based iMac. For the last week I've been putting it through its paces, installing Windows 10 (purchased just for this review) and several other operating systems, and trying just about every feature in the program. Version 13 was released last night, so I immediately upgraded. This review reflects my use of both Parallels Desktop 12 and 13, and all of the screenshots are from version 13. Third-party reviews that I reference are all of version 12.
In this review I'll share what I like and dislike about Parallels Desktop. The content in the quick summary box above serves as a short version of my findings and conclusions.
Read on for the details! What Is Parallels Desktop for Mac? Parallels Desktop 13 allows you to run Windows apps on your Mac. It does this by allowing you to install Windows on a virtual machine — a computer emulated in software. Your virtual computer is assigned a portion of the RAM, processor and disk space of your real computer, so it will be slower and have less resources.
Other operating systems will also run on Parallels Desktop, including Linux, Android and macOS — even older versions of macOS and OS X (El Capitan or earlier). What's New in Parallels Desktop 13? Parallels has added a number of new features to version 13. According to from Parallels, those include speed improvements, making GIFs, presentation mode, Picture-in-Picture, Retina display enhancements, etc. Watch this 3-minute video for more.
Parallel Software For Mac
During my use of the app, my mouse froze once when switching between Windows and Mac. This required a reboot to fix. Your mileage may vary.
Is Parallels Desktop Free? No, it isn't freeware though a full-featured 14-day trial is available. There are three versions of the app to consider:.: Designed for home or student use.: Designed for developers and power users who need the best performance.: Designed for IT departments, it includes centralized administration and volume licensing. You'll also have to pay for Microsoft Windows and your Windows applications if you don't already own them. How to Install Parallels Desktop for Mac Here is an overview of the full process of getting the app up and running:. Download and install Parallels Desktop for Mac.
You'll be asked to choose an operating for your new virtual machine. To install Windows, you have three choices: purchase it online, install it from a US stick, or transfer it from a PC. Enter the Windows product key when prompted.
Windows will be installed along with some Parallels tools. This will take some time. Your new Windows desktop will be displayed.
Install any Windows application software you need. Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac: What's in it For You?
Since Parallels Desktop is all about running Windows apps (and more) on your Mac, I'm going to list all its features by putting them into the following five sections. In each subsection, I'll first explore what the app offers and then share my personal take. Turn Your Mac Into Several Computers with Virtualization Parallels Desktop is virtualization software — it emulates a new computer in software. On that virtual computer you can run any operating system you like, including Windows, and any software that runs on that operating system. That's very convenient if you need non-Mac software.
A virtual machine will run slower than your real computer, but Parallels has worked hard to optimize performance. Ran some benchmark tests and were impressed: 'Performance is excellent, with Windows feeling responsive and snappy. I ran GeekBench 3 on both Mac and the Windows virtual machine and got similar scores: Mac OS scored 5,833 in the multi-core test, and the Windows virtual machine scored 5,057.' But why run a slower virtual machine when you can install Windows on your actual computer using Bootcamp? Because having to restart your machine to change operating systems is slow, inconvenient, and incredibly frustrating.
Virtualization is an excellent alternative. Daniel Rasmus agrees. 'Parallels virtual machines can run almost any operating system, even those that are no longer supported (as long as you have a CD and license key) Parallels works closely with Apple, Microsoft and the open source community to ensure that Parallels Desktop will not only run their operating systems, but that they run relatively fast in a very stable environment.' My personal take: Virtualization technology provides a convenient way of accessing non-Mac software while using macOS.
If you need regular access to Windows apps, Parallel's implementation is superb. Run Windows on Your Mac Without Rebooting You may need to run Windows on your Mac for a variety of reasons. Here are some examples:.
Developers can test their software on Windows and other operating systems. Web developers can test their websites on a variety of Windows browsers. Writers can create documentation and reviews about Windows software. Parallels provides the virtual machine, you need to supply Microsoft Windows. There are three options:. Purchase it directly from Microsoft and download it.
Purchase it from a store and install from a USB stick. Transfer Windows from your PC or Bootcamp. Transferring a previously-installed version of Windows is the least-recommended option, as it can lead to licensing issues or driver problems. David Ludlow from Trusted Reviews explains: 'But there are caveats. Foremost, is that Windows' licensing prevents you from moving an OEM version of an OS to a new computer, even to a virtual machine.
In other words, you can only transfer an old PC if you bought a retail version of Windows.' 'Secondly, Windows 10 doesn't particularly like being moved, and Windows apps won't necessarily run. I got a warning when trying to run some apps, such as Edge, telling me that they ‘can't be opened using the Built-in Administrator account'.' In my case, I purchased a shrink-wrapped version of Windows 10 Home (with USB an enclosed USB stick) from a store. The price was the same as downloading from Microsoft: $179 Aussie dollars. My personal take: Whether running Windows full-screen or in a window, switching to it is simple and seamless.
It's no harder than switching to a native Mac app. Use Windows Apps alongside Mac Apps When I first moved away from Windows, I found myself still relying on a few key apps. You might be the same:. You switched to Mac, but still have a number of Windows apps you rely on — perhaps the Windows versions of Word and Excel, the Xbox Streaming app, or a Windows-only game.
You may still absolutely depend on a legacy app that no longer works on modern operating systems. It's surprising how reliant businesses can become on out-of-date software that is no longer updated or supported. Daniel Rasmus from GeekWire explains: 'People working outside of large corporations may be surprised by how much of the world continues to run on old software — some supported, some not. If a financial application relies on an old Windows NT or other legacy framework that doesn't run on Windows 10, let alone on macOS, the choice comes down to investing in new software and the associated implementation costs, or keeping old hardware in play, or using a virtualization solution.' Parallels Desktop provides a Coherence Mode which lets you work with Windows apps without dealing with the Windows interface.
David Ludlow sums it up: 'Coherence turns your Windows apps into Mac ones.' Coherence Mode hides the Windows interface altogether. You launch the Start Menu by clicking the Windows 10 icon on your dock. My personal take: Parallels Desktop allows you to use Windows apps almost as if they were Mac apps. You can start the from your Mac's Dock, Spotlight, or a context menu. Run Other Operating Systems on Your Mac The convenience of Parallels Desktop doesn't stop with Windows. You can run a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Android and macOS.
Why would someone want to do that? Here are some examples:. A developer working on an app that runs on multiple platforms can use virtual computers to run Windows, Linux and Android to test the software on. Mac developers can run older versions of macOS and OS X to test compatibility. A Linux enthusiast can run and compare multiple distros at once. You can install macOS from your recovery partition or a disk image. You can also install older versions of OS X if you still have the installation DVDs or disk images.
I chose to install macOS from my recovery partition. My personal take: Parallels Desktop can run macOS or Linux on a virtual machine, though not with the same speed as Windows, or with as many integration features. But the software is stable and usable all the same. Reasons Behind My Reviews and Ratings Effectiveness: 5/5 Parallels Desktop does exactly what it promises: it runs Windows apps alongside my Mac apps.
Running Windows in a virtual machine was convenient and responsive, and allowed me to access Windows apps that I rely on. Windows paused when not in use, so unnecessary resources were not being wasted. Price: 4.5/5 Although there are free virtualization options, $79.95 is a reasonable price to pay for the amount of work Parallels have put into optimizing performance and integration. The $39.95 option should be affordable to most students.
Ease of Use: 5/5 I found launching Windows and switching between Mac and Windows absolutely intuitive. The integrated approach of displaying Windows software in Spotlight searches, context menus and the Dock is brilliant.
Support: 4.5/5 Free support is available via Twitter, chat, Skype, phone (Click-to-Call) and email for the first 30 days after registering. Email support is available for up to two years from the product release date, though you can purchase phone support when required for $19.95. A comprehensive knowledge base, FAQ, Getting Started guide and User's Guide are available. Alternatives to Parallels Desktop VMware Fusion 8.5: ($79.99) is Parallel Desktop's closest competitor, and is a little slower and more technical.
A major upgrade is about to be released. Veertu Desktop: (free, $39.95 for premium) is a lightweight alternative.
It's almost as quick as Parallels, but has fewer features. VirtualBox: is Oracle's free and open source alternative. Not as polished or responsive as Parallels Desktop, it's a good alternative when performance is not at a premium. Boot Camp: comes installed with macOS, and allows you to run Windows alongside macOS in a dual-boot setup — to switch you need to restart your computer. That's less convenient, but has performance benefits. Wine: is a way of running Windows apps on your Mac without needing Windows at all.
It can't run all Windows apps, and many require significant configuration. It's a free (open source) solution that just might work for you.
CrossOver Mac: ($59.95) is a commercial version of Wine that is easier to use and configure. Conclusion Parallels Desktop 13 runs Windows and other operating systems in a virtual machine alongside your Mac apps. It's a good option for those who still rely on certain Windows apps for their business, or gamers who can't live without a favorite Windows game. It's also a great solution for developers who need to test their apps or websites on other platforms. If you've found native Mac apps that meet all of your needs, you don't need Parallels Desktop. If you need to run just a handful of non-critical Windows apps, one of the free virtualization alternatives may be all you need.
But if you're looking for best performance, Parallels Desktop is your best option. I highly recommend it.
Announced Wednesday that Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac is now available. The latest release of the virtualization solution allows users to run Windows, Linux, and other operating systems on their Intel-based Macs. Parallels Desktop 5 works in both Leopard. Version 5 ($80; upgrades, $50) includes more than 70 new features targeted at making the program faster, smarter, and more powerful. In the 'faster' category, Parallels Desktop 5 now includes full Aero support in Windows Vista and Windows 7, and an improved Parallels Transporter promises to speed up and ease the task of converting a standalone PC into a Parallels virtual machine.
USB transfer speeds in Windows are faster than before, and Parallels Compressor runs in the background to optimize the size of the virtual machine for better performance. 'Smarter' features include a more Mac-like experience through a new Crystal view mode, which basically makes the Windows operating system disappear-Parallels' icon vanishes from the Dock and application switcher, and it's replaced with a Parallels icon in the menu bar. Click that icon to gain access to the Windows start menu, and a folder in the Dock provides access to Windows applications. There's even an optional MacLook mode that attempts to make Windows' windows look more like those in OS X-squared corners are rounded off, and the close/zoom buttons are replaced with the standard OS X colored versions.
Parallels Desktop also supports pinch and swipe gestures in many applications. You can, for instance, change the zoom level on a Word for Windows document by pinching in or out on your trackpad. You can also copy and paste formatted text and images between not just the Mac OS and Windows, but with Linux as well. Multiple monitor support has been improved as well, making it easier to use Windows and Linux applications on multi-monitor Macs.
Parallels Desktop's virtual machine configuration interface has been streamlined, making it simpler to find the settings you wish to change. Both Windows and Linux guest operating systems can be installed via an easy installer, and Parallels supports up to eight virtual CPUs, and 64-bit versions of Windows and Mac OS X Server. Some of the more 'powerful' features are OpenGL 2.1 acceleration, not just in Windows but also in Linux. Parallels says that graphics performance in games and 3D applications is seven times better than the prior version of Parallels, and a revised interface gives users greater power over their virtual machines. Using a new floating virtual machine window, users can control the order of the machines in the list, apply custom colors, and see snapshots of activity on each virtual machine.
Users can now compress or expand the size of the virtual machine's hard drive directly from within the program; no external application is required. The program also includes Smart Card reader support, for those businesses using this security technology. For those who wish to test drive Windows, Parallels will be making virtual appliances available that include trial versions of the various Windows operating systems. Parallels Desktop 5 includes a bundle of Windows software, featuring a 12-month subscription to Parallels Internet Security by Kaspersky; Acronis Disk Director, a suite of disk management tools; and Acronis True Image, tools to help ease data backup and recovery.
The program is currently available in five languages (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish) with versions in Chinese, Czech, Hungarian, Japanese, Polish, and Russian due out in the near future. You can find it at the, the Apple Store (both and retail), Best Buy, Fry's Electronics, Target, and many other retail locations. Users who purchased the current version of Parallels after October 1st qualify for a free upgrade-if you purchased from the Parallels Online Store, you'll receive a key directly from Parallels. Users who purchased at other locations will need to visit the to get their keys. This story, 'Parallels Desktop 5 for Mac Arrives' was originally published.