Run Windows Apps Seamlessly on Mac with Parallels Desktop 20
In the earlier years, Parallels Desktop stands out for its ability to run Windows apps and games seamlessly on the Mac. With the advent of Apple Silicone Macs, Windows games now runs much better on GPTK and Crossover. Despite that, Parallels Desktop still excels in providing a full Windows environment, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of software beyond gaming. Windows 11 simply runs best on a Mac thanks to Parallels Desktop 20.
Run Windows-Only or Windows-Optimized Apps on a Mac
One of the biggest advantages of Parallels Desktop is its ability to run Windows-exclusive software on macOS without a hitch. Whether you’re a developer needing Windows development tools or a professional working with industry-standard enterprise software, Parallels Desktop allows you to run these apps right on your Mac. This includes productivity tools, development applications, and enterprise software, making it indispensable for professionals who need a reliable Windows experience on their Mac. The latest updates in Parallels Desktop 20, will support macOS Sequoia as soon as it is released.
Parallels Desktop 20 eliminates the need for a second machine, and you won’t miss out on software that is optimized for Windows.
Advanced Compatibility Features Make Working on a Mac Seamless
One of the standout features of Parallels Desktop is its advanced compatibility tools that make it easy to work across both macOS and Windows. With shared folders, you can access your Mac files in your Windows environment and vice versa. The coherence mode allows Windows apps to run alongside Mac apps as if they were native macOS applications, eliminating the jarring experience of switching between two different interfaces. Features like a shared clipboard and drag-and-drop functionality between the two operating systems further enhance this seamless integration.
One-click Installation
Parallels Desktop 20 offers a streamlined one-click installation for Windows 11, simplifying the setup process for users. This feature ensures quick and hassle-free integration of Windows 11 on macOS. It is as easy as ever!
And that’s pretty much it!
Installing other virtual machines like Ubuntu Desktop is equally as simple as that. Parallels Desktop will also automatically install Parallels Tools as soon as the OS is ready.
Using Windows Apps when it is Better via Parallels Desktop 20
For many Mac users, the need to run Windows-only apps can be a challenge, especially for professionals working across different platforms. Parallels Desktop 20 offers a seamless solution, providing an easy, stable, and high-performance way to run Windows apps on a Mac.
One great example of the benefits of using Windows apps on a Mac via Parallels Desktop is Microsoft Excel. The Windows version of Excel offers more advanced features that are essential for power users, such as Data Modelling for Pivot Tables, which allows for more complex and efficient data analysis. This is a critical tool for anyone working with large data sets or needing advanced reporting capabilities, features that the macOS version simply can’t match.
There are clearly more features on Excel for Windows compared to the Mac’s version of Excel.
Data modeling feature now available on Mac, by using Windows version of Excel through Parallels Desktop 20
Moreover, with the Windows version of Excel, power users gain access to the ability to run Python scripts directly within the application. This integration opens up a whole new world of automation, complex data processing, and advanced analytics for professionals who rely on both Excel and Python. Running Excel in Windows through Parallels Desktop ensures that Mac users don’t have to compromise on functionality or performance, giving them the full power of Excel’s advanced tools.
There are probably more examples of such applications such as MS Teams, Word, Adobe Acrobat, PowerBI, Visual Studio, SQL Server Management Studio, and more.
Using Parallels Desktop as a Developer
For developers who work primarily on a Mac but require a Windows environment, Parallels Desktop offers a seamless and efficient solution. It allows developers to run multiple operating systems side by side, making it easier to test, develop, and troubleshoot code in different environments. Whether you’re working with Windows, Linux, or other operating systems, Parallels provides the flexibility needed to streamline cross-platform development.
Cross-Platform Testing and Compatibility
One of the biggest advantages Parallels Desktop offers is the ability to test cross-platform compatibility. Developers can run Windows and macOS concurrently, which is crucial for testing how an app or website behaves on different platforms without needing separate machines. This flexibility makes it easy to ensure that software performs consistently across environments, an essential task for developers working on applications meant for both Windows and Mac users.
Access to Essential Developer Tools: SQL Server, Visual Studio, and DevOps Services
Parallels Desktop allows seamless access to vital Windows development tools like SQL Server, Visual Studio, and various DevOps services. Visual Studio, for example, runs flawlessly on Parallels Desktop, enabling developers to code, test, and deploy their applications without switching between devices. SQL Server can also be easily integrated into the VM environment, making database management and testing more straightforward. DevOps services, essential for continuous integration and deployment, work smoothly within this virtual setup, allowing for efficient team collaboration and workflow automation.
While you could now test MS SQL Server using docker, it is never the same as testing your application integration with the exact same server version used in production environment.
VMs: A Perfect Tool for Testing and Development
Virtual Machines (VMs) are invaluable for developers. You can create different VMs to simulate various operating system environments and configurations, which is perfect for testing new features or updates without risking your main development environment. Using VMs allows developers to catch bugs early and test software performance in different scenarios, saving time and effort in the long run.
Parallels Desktop’s snapshot feature also lets developers save a virtual machine’s state and easily revert if needed, ensuring no progress is lost during testing or experimentation.
Managing Parallels VMs from Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code extension for Parallels Desktop is an extension that allows you directly manage the VMs on your Mac. Handy when you need to directly access the Command Line or shell of your VMs.
Gaming? Solid DirectX 11 Performance when it runs
With the previous version 19 of Parallels Desktop on my M2 Max Mac Studio, a lot of games does not run well. It’s not entirely the fault of Parallels. Windows just don’t have a lot of games that will run well on ARM architecture. That’s why I did not focus on the gaming aspect of Parallels Desktop 20 this time around.
Having said so, I thought it would still be prudent to give it some test. Firstly, here’s how it performed with Unigine’s Valley Benchmark.
The latest Parallels Desktop 20 was also able to run a few games relatively well. I tested it on Minecraft Bedrock and Sable.
Sable runs well on 1080p at default quality on Parallels Desktop 20. Setting a lower the quality settings would get it better framerates for a smoother gameplay. The good thing here is that it no longer has missing textures issues that showed when I tested it on the previous version of Parallels. It sure looks like Parallels Desktop 20 has better DX 11 support.
Minecraft Bedrock ran at my external monitor’s resolution at 1440p which made it visibly slower. Again, lowering the quality settings would make the game run comfortably smooth.
A few other games that I tried like Fall Guys, Rocket League and Genshin Impact just failed to run. Any games with Easy Anti-Cheat would not run. Rocket League and Genshin Impact simply crashed, and causing the virtual machine to suspend itself for some reason.
In summary: Parallels Desktop 20 Continues to be a Solid choice to run Windows 11 on Mac
Parallels Desktop 20 remains a top choice for running Windows on a Mac, particularly for users needing a comprehensive Windows environment. While advancements like GPTK and Crossover have improved Windows gaming performance on Apple Silicon Macs, Parallels Desktop continues to excel in providing a full Windows experience, including support for a wide range of software beyond just gaming. Windows 11 runs exceptionally well on a Mac with Parallels Desktop, making it a go-to solution for those needing robust Windows compatibility.
Windows 11 runs like a charm on macOS thanks to Parallels Desktop 20.
For professionals and developers, Parallels Desktop 20 offers significant advantages, such as seamless integration with Windows-only applications and advanced compatibility features. The latest update simplifies setup with one-click installation and supports easy access to essential developer tools like Visual Studio and SQL Server. While gaming performance has shown improvement, especially with certain titles like Sable and Minecraft Bedrock, some games with anti-cheat mechanisms still face issues. Overall, Parallels Desktop 20 provides a reliable and flexible platform for running Windows applications and conducting cross-platform development.
Special launch offer!
Parallels is giving a 25% off for Pro and Business edition.
This offer is valid only from Sept 10-24.
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