Parallels Breakthrough for Apple Silicon

Parallels has officially unveiled a groundbreaking addition to its Parallels Desktop 20.2 with the introduction of x86 emulation for Apple Silicon Macs! Product manager Mikhail Ushakov shared this exciting development in a recent blog post, highlighting that this will allow users to run Intel-based applications on M1 and newer Macs for the very first time since Apple's significant transition to ARM architecture in 2020.

Early Technology Preview

This early technology preview promises to be a game changer for many users, despite the cautionary note from Parallels regarding performance. While the potential to run existing x86_64 versions of Windows 10, Windows 11*, and Windows Server 2019/2022 is a major win, users are advised to expect "really slow" performance. Ushakov revealed that boot times could take up to seven minutes!

Limitations and Emulation Details

Furthermore, some limitations include a lack of support for external USB devices and the inability to emulate Windows 11 24H2. Importantly, the emulation process is limited to 64-bit operating systems, though 32-bit applications can still be executed.

User Experience and Features in 20.2

It's worth noting that the option to initiate these virtual machines is not readily visible, as Parallels aims to manage expectations for those users who may not actually require x86 emulation at this time. For those eager to explore, Parallels also offers a comprehensive list of caveats for users looking to dive deeper.

In version 20.2, Parallels has also rolled out exciting new features! Users can now enjoy automatic time and time zone syncing within macOS virtual machines running on Apple Silicon. Additionally, Apple’s AI-driven Writing Tools have been integrated into the Windows right-click menu for applications like Word, PowerPoint, and the classic Outlook, significantly enhancing functionality and user experience.

Looking Ahead

Stay tuned for further updates! Will Parallels refine this feature and improve performance in the future? Users will certainly be watching closely!