Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac is right here, and it is nonetheless the best virtualization software for macOS. I assumed final 12 months’s launch was a fairly large replace, with help for Contact ID in Home windows 11 VMs, however this one appears to be much more thrilling. For one, now you can register to an Apple Account on a macOS Sequoia digital machine with Parallels Desktop, which permits a complete bunch of latest use instances — from Apple Intelligence to iMessage.
Should you’re new to Parallels, or Mac virtualization normally, you could be stunned by how a lot it might do. It is a enjoyable device for individuals who like taking part in round with VMs, plus it is a vital piece of software program for individuals who have to run Home windows 11 apps on their new Mac. Let’s break down 5 of essentially the most thrilling options to ship with Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac.
I obtained a Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac license for testing, however Parallels had no enter within the contents of this text.
5
Run the macOS 15.1 beta and use Apple Intelligence
Expertise all the advantages of Apple Intelligence with not one of the dangers
Parallels Desktop 20 packs a couple of key upgrades that, when put collectively, allow you to run the macOS 15.1 beta and use Apple Intelligence. First off, the software program formally helps macOS Sequoia. You possibly can obtain the macOS 15.1 Sequoia developer beta restore picture from Apple’s Developer Downloads page, load it into Parallels, and create a VM with the developer beta inside. It will allow you to check the upcoming Apple Intelligence options earlier than they formally launch with out risking your system with bugs or instability.
A macOS 15 pc virtualizing a macOS 15.1 working system.
I did handle to check the macOS 15 developer beta working Parallels Desktop 19, however it wasn’t as helpful. That model would not help signing in to an Apple Account, however Parallels Desktop 20 does — and we’ll increase on why that issues later. This implies you may enroll within the Apple Intelligence waitlist along with your Apple Account by way of your digital machine. When accepted, the VM will robotically begin pulling the mandatory fashions and information to make use of on-device AI.
Parallels hasn’t shared a lot about it but, however the firm plans to bring Apple Intelligence to Windows 11 when the steady launch of macOS 15.1 Sequoia is rolled out.
4
Use Copilot to handle VMs with the Visible Studio Code extension
Making changes to your digital machines has by no means been simpler
Supply: Parallels
For builders and professionals utilizing a number of digital machines, Parallels Desktop 20 integrates with Visible Studio Code with a free extension. The VS Code extension itself has been round for some time, however this 12 months, there’s help for Microsoft Copilot. You might already use a Visible Studio Code extension to handle and work together with all of your Parallels Desktop digital machine from a unified hub. Now, Copilot help signifies that you need to use pure language to problem instructions for controlling VMs, making your entire course of simpler.
3
Run Home windows 11 on Arm along with your Apple silicon Mac
Parallels is the official manner to make use of a Home windows on Arm digital machine inside macOS
Should you’ve been following the Home windows world currently, you most likely have observed that Home windows on Arm has seen a giant enhance because the first wave of Qualcomm Snapdragon X laptops launched. Whereas the platform won’t be nice at working video games, it is fairly highly effective in the case of productiveness. That is excellent news for Mac customers, as a result of Parallels Desktop 20 is the official manner to make use of Home windows 11 on Arm with Apple silicon Macs.
Parallels itself has improved optimization for a couple of apps, like ArcGIS Professional, LabVIEW, Ninja Dealer. Moreover, all of the apps which can be being ported to Home windows on Arm as a part of the Snapdragon motion must also work with Home windows 11 VMs in Parallels Desktop 20. The Prism emulator that is a part of Home windows 11 on Arm is improved, too, which ought to result in a efficiency enhance whereas working non-native apps inside VMs.
2
Use the brand new Parallels AI Package deal
With the Visible Studio Code extension, you need to use 14 dev toolsets in contained environments
Supply: Parallels
AI is the buzzword of the 12 months (and final 12 months, actually), and Parallels Desktop 20 tries to get in on the pattern with the Parallels AI Package deal. The thought behind the AI Package deal is that it is an inexpensive option to check AI fashions and options in remoted digital machines. The package deal contains 14 growth toolsets, and so they’ll assist run small language fashions inside an offline VM. It is baked into the Visible Studio Code extension, and there is an official YouTube video that’ll enable you get began.
1
Signal into your Apple ID on macOS Sequoia VMs
This addition to Parallels Desktop 20 on Apple silicon Macs fixes an enormous limitation
As a seasoned Parallels person, I by no means thought I might see the day when you can activate a Parallels digital machine with an Apple Account. Effectively, you are able to do simply that in Parallels Desktop 20 with macOS Sequoia — albeit with some limitations. iCloud Backup, Discover My, iCloud Mail, Apple Media Companies, and Apple Pockets are usually not obtainable to be used with VMs. Apparently sufficient, a few of these options are obtainable for those who use iCloud.com inside the digital machine.
Nonetheless, you will discover that many macOS Sequoia options requiring an Apple Account will work with Parallels Desktop 20. Apple Intelligence is the large one, particularly whereas it is in beta. Nonetheless, staples like iMessage and iCloud Drive are utterly useful. In observe, this implies you will seemingly have the ability to use macOS VMs as you usually would a typical Mac, with out working into the roadblocks that have been widespread whereas utilizing previous variations of Parallels desktop.
There are such a lot of options on macOS that depend on iCloud and your Apple Account, so the shortage of help up to now was a evident limitation. Now that Parallels Desktop 20 and macOS Sequoia help signing in to an Apple Account with a digital machine, Parallels’ virtualization suite is far more compelling.
Who can buy Parallels Desktop 20?
Parallels is arguably the most effective virtualization software program for macOS, and it is now even higher for Apple silicon computer systems. The flexibility to register to an Apple Account, use the most recent variations of macOS Sequoia and Windows 11, and make the most of Home windows on Arm’s app help development are actual benefit to this 12 months’s model of Parallels desktop. For energy customers and builders, the AI and VS Code help will provide you with a secure setting to check workflows and handle a number of VMs directly.
I am personally enthusiastic about attempting out all of the Apple Intelligence options early by working a developer beta of macOS Sequoia on my iMac all 12 months lengthy. It is my fundamental work machine, so I will not set up a dev beta on it outright. That is too dangerous, however Parallels provides me a option to check out the most recent AI instruments with no threat in any respect.
Should you like experimenting with digital machines or depend on them on your job, Parallels Desktop is price it. Nonetheless, I might suggest paying further for the one-time buy as a substitute of going with the annual subscription. It’s going to prevent cash in the long term for those who do not feel like upgrading every year.
Parallels Desktop 20
Parallels Desktop 20 is the most recent version of the highest virtualization software program for macOS and ChromeOS. The usual version is out there for $100, however there are professional and enterprise variations obtainable for a better price. You possibly can select between a less expensive subscription or a one-time buy.
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