Parallels Desktop
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Virtualization software for running Windows, Linux, and other OSes on Mac. Supports Windows 11 on Apple Silicon, resource adjustments, and seamless app access and file sharing between OS environments.
License model
- Paid • Proprietary
Application types
Platforms
- Mac
- Chrome OS
Features
Parallels Desktop News & Activities
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Recent News
- Maoholguin published news article about Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 brings x86 emulation for Apple silicon and enhanced IT toolsParallels Desktop has launched version 20.2.0, the third major update in the Parallels Desktop 20 s...
- POX published news article about Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop 20.1.0 released with Apple Intelligence and Windows Server 2025 supportThe Parallels team has launched Parallels Desktop 20.1.0 following the recent major release of vers...
- POX published news article about Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop 20 released for macOS Sequoia and Windows 11 24H2 with AI-ready VMsParallels Desktop has unveiled its latest iteration, Parallels Desktop 20, featuring the new Parall...
Recent activities
POX added Parallels Desktop as alternative to lume VM
POX added Parallels Desktop as alternative to MiceWine
K0RR added Parallels Desktop as alternative to RVVM
POX added Parallels Desktop as alternative to CheerpX- ushabuntu added Compatibility Layer as a feature to Parallels Desktop
- ushabuntu liked Parallels Desktop
- K0RR added Parallels Desktop as alternative to Proton Sarek
- POX updated Parallels Desktop
- Danilo_Venom updated Parallels Desktop
- niksavc liked Parallels Desktop
Comments and Reviews
In case you don't know, "Coherence" mode is a feature in Parallel Desktops that simulates running Windows apps natively in OS X. Appearance-wise, it's sort of like Wine in Linux, except that it works with everything and it's a whole lot easier to configure.
I'll admit that I found Coherence mode to be rather trippy the first time I used it, but once you get used to seeing the Windows Task Manager pop up a few times over Finder, the whole thing is actually really, really cool.
P.S. I recommend turning off "Crystal Mode", which shares your Windows apps with your Mac while you're running Coherence Mode. That sounds nice, but it's not really well implemented. Basically, it just adds a couple (hundred) .exe files to your LaunchPad, so that it becomes impossible to find anything.
EDIT: In VMWare Fusion, this is called Unity Mode. It works about as well.
like Wine in Linux, except
except a hefty price tag
Reply written Mar 27, 2017
Unless you already know exactly why parallels meets your corporate, multi-site needs, there is no reason to invest money exploring this option.
In the last four years there has been explosive growth in virtualization on both server farms ("the cloud"), and end user appliances as evidenced in on-chip support in consumer intel lines.
Also popular spy technique for NSA relies on native hardware virtualization and "always on" internets access even while computer is "off"
Consider unplugging computer when it is "off" to be off.
Make sure you have enough RAM before do virtualization!
I get a popup from Parallels Desktop asking me to register every time I reboot my computer, and it's annoying as hell. Here's how to disable it. http://forum.parallels.com/showpost.php?p=441726&postcount=5
Worked great for me since version 4. Latest version 6 is even faster and much better. I never tried Fusion, so I have no idea if it is any better than Parallels, but I did try VirtualBox and I could not even install Windows XP on that. Parallels all the way for me.
Parallels 5 completely freeze my MacBook! I'll move to vmware...