The latest version of the Parallels Desktop app for Mac (version 20) just got a pretty exciting update for fans of both macOS and Windows 11. Parallels Desktop is an app that allows users to run Windows directly on their Mac devices. If you’re using one of the best MacBooks or Macs currently available, but are looking to use Windows apps that may not offer a macOS version, then you might be in luck with this development.
Parallels Desktop for Mac version 20 is designed to work with Apple’s upcoming public build of macOS Sequoia (expected on September 16), as well as the upcoming version of Windows 11, 24H2, also expected very soon. Parallels Desktop is also currently the only way you can run Windows 11 on newer Mac devices equipped with one of Apple’s Silicon chips (which are based on the Arm chip architecture).
AI for the Mac Man
If you’re intrigued by the rise of consumer AI products on our personal devices, you’ll be interested to hear that Parallels Desktop for Mac 20 will include a Parallels AI Suite. This is designed for developers who want to work with AI tools, and it will be available to paying subscribers of Parallels Desktop for Mac Business and Enterprise editions.
If you purchase Parallels Desktop for Mac 20, you can look forward to improved and faster performance while using Windows programs alongside macOS apps, all on your Mac device. If you’re using a Mac equipped with an Apple Silicon chip (M1 to M4), you can actually expect to see performance improvements of as much as 80% for certain tasks you perform with Parallels.
This is apparently thanks to an additional boost from a more efficient Prism emulator developed by Microsoft, which makes it possible to run Windows applications designed to run on x86 processors on Arm-based chips. In these cases, Prism and Parallels are working together to deliver fast Windows 11 app performance on Arm-based devices. Prism emulation was pioneered by a partnership between Microsoft and Qualcomm to develop the new Snapdragon X Elite chips for Windows laptops, but now Apple fans can benefit from it too, thanks to Parallels.
Parallel working
If you’re a Mac user and want to try out Parallels Desktop for yourself, you’ll need to purchase it for $129.99, or you can upgrade from a previous version if you’ve already purchased it. It’s also offered as a subscription service for $99 per year for the Standard Edition, and there are other editions available for users looking for more specialized applications and features.
With Parallels Desktop for Mac 20, the focus on full support for macOS Sequoia ensures a smooth experience for Mac users eager to update to Apple’s latest operating system. What’s especially interesting is how Microsoft’s Prism emulator, designed to improve the performance of older Windows apps on Arm-based PCs, now significantly improves Apple Silicon Macs when running those same legacy apps – something Microsoft likely never saw coming.
It’s a fascinating turn of events, and one that potentially hints at a future where Windows and macOS become more closely intertwined, giving users more choice than ever before when it comes to how people use operating systems and their PCs in general. While Microsoft likely didn’t intend for Prism to become such a major player in improving the performance of Windows apps on Apple hardware, I hope the two tech giants embrace it — because as we’ve seen historically, magic can happen when Apple and Microsoft work together.