The Parallels Desktop virtualization environment is now available in version 18 for download ready and advertises their latest release as highly optimized for use on Apple’s M1 and M2 processors.
The application, which allows Windows 11 to be run on ARM in a separate program window, is adapted to the latest Apple hardware and is both fully compatible with Apple’s ProMotion display and prepared for use on the fast M1 Ultra processors, which are designed for a performance increase of up to 96 percent compared to the previous version.
One-click installation of Windows 11
The Parallels Desktop 18 installation assistants are intended to reduce the installation of new operating systems to a mouse click and, in addition to the quick installation of Windows 11, also provide access to several Linux distributions. In addition, the Parallels makers promise to have paid special attention to improvements for gamers.
The connection of controllers to the Mac, which can be used under both macOS and Windows, has been simplified. Optimized the virtual machines to achieve faster response times and higher frame rates on Windows.
Available in three editions
Like the previous versions, Parallels Desktop 18 is back in different flavors available: The regular version, Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Standard, which is aimed at private users, costs a one-time fee of 99 euros or 69 euros for the upgrade.
Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Pro and Business Editions are offered on a subscription only basis and offer additional features for developer and corporate environments.
Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Pro costs 119 euros per year. Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Editions costs 149 euros per year.
The most important features:
Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Standard Edition:
- Is optimized for the upcoming version of macOS Venturato support new features and functionality and deliver exceptional performance.
- Offers full support for Apple’s ProMotion display with automatic refresh rate change. She also unleashes them Apple M1 Ultra performance and allows users to allocate more resources to them and Windows 11 up to 96 percent faster to use.
- Has one seamless Windows gaming experience with automatic release of Xbox- oder DualShock Bluetooth–Gamecontrollern with Windows and Linux.
- owns one improved Compatibility of Intel (x86) applicationswhen running Windows 11 on ARM, especially when saving and reading files on Mac hard drive.
- Delivers a enhanced USB 3.0 experience to support live data streaming devices including Elgato HD60, Startech USB 3.0 Video Capture and more.
Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Pro Edition offers all the power of the Standard Edition plus these unique features:
- The powerful network conditioner on Apple M1 Macs allows users to set various network conditions for the virtual machine (such as bandwidth, packet loss, delay) similar to Windows and Linux virtual machines.
- Virtual machine network isolation from Mac to Apple M1 Mac computers ensures increased security. Additionally, users can start a Minikube cluster with Parallels Desktop as the virtualization provider.
- A network boot with Linux ARM virtual machinesis now also available on Mac computers with Apple M1 chips.
- Users can analyze the performance of an application in a separate VM with the advanced Parallels Plugin Evaluate for Visual Studio.
Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Edition builds on the power of the Pro edition with additional features, including:
- Convenient SSO/SAML authentication for employees to sign up and activate Parallels Desktop with a corporate account
- Establishment, provision or transfer a Windows 11 virtual machine on employees’ Mac computers by the administrators
- des Parallels Customer Feedback-program with central management in Parallels My Account