Saturday, December 14, 2024
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Parallels releases Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac

Parallels has released Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac. The latest version of Parallels’ solution is designed to optimize the usability of the latest Apple hardware, while also powering performance and gaming updates, providing users with greater freedom and flexibility. According to the folks at Parallels, features include:

  1. First-class performance: Users can leverage the most-advanced Windows experience on their Macs to run more than 200,000 Windows apps and classic games.
  2. Continuous and seamless integration: Optimized for the latest Apple hardware, users can enjoy compatibility with Apple’s ProMotion display and unleashed performance of the Apple M1 Ultra chip that delivers up to 96% faster Windows 11 on a Mac Studio, * while staying up to date with any upcoming macOS upgrades.
  3. Easier set up for Windows 11: Users can now get Windows 11 downloaded, installed, and configured in just one click saving time with setting up, as well as download a free set of ready-to-use Linux systems.
  4. Enhanced Windows game-play experience on a Mac: Users can now simply connect a game controller to their Mac, switch to Windows, and start playing. Enjoy smooth Windows UI and video playback, a higher frame rate, and much more.

You can watch a video about the highlights in Parallels Desktop 18 here and check out the new features here .

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Standard, Pro, and Business editions are engineered to offer an optimal experience on Mac computers with Intel and Apple M series chips and can be purchased at parallels.com/desktop or from authorized resellers worldwide. Parallels Desktop subscriptions include complimentary concurrent subscriptions to Parallels Access and Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows.

For more information about Parallels products, to download free trial software, or purchase a subscription, please visit parallels.com.

According to the folks at Parallels, key Parallels Desktop 18 features include:

Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Standard Edition:

  • Optimized for the upcoming macOS Ventura release to support new features, functionality, and deliver exceptional performance.
  • Full support for Apple’s ProMotion display with automatic refresh rate changes and unleashed Apple M1 Ultra performance allowing users to assign more resources and get up to 96% faster Windows 11.
  • Seamless Windows gaming experience with automatic sharing of Xbox or DualShock Bluetooth game controllers with Windows and Linux.
  • Improved compatibility of Intel (x86) applications when running Windows 11 on ARM, specifically when saving and reading files from the Mac disk.
  • Improved USB 3.0 to support live data streaming devices, including Elgato HD60, Startech USB 3.0 Video Capture, and more.

According to the folks at Parallels, key Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Pro Edition features include those of the Standard Edition plus:

  • Optimized for the upcoming macOS Ventura release to support new features, functionality, and deliver exceptional performance.
  • Powerful network conditioner on Apple M1 Macs enabling users to set up various network conditions for the virtual machine (bandwidth, packet loss, delay) similar to both Windows and Linux virtual machines.
  • Isolate virtual machine network from Mac on Apple M1 Mac computers for better security and start a Minikube cluster with Parallels Desktop as a virtualization provider.
  • Ability to use network boot with Linux ARM virtual machines now available on Mac computers with Apple M1 chips.
  • Easily analyze an application performance in a separate VM using the enhanced Parallels plug-in for Visual Studio.

According to the folks at Parallels, key Parallels Desktop 18 for Mac Business Edition include those of the Pro version, plus:

  • Optimized for the upcoming macOS Ventura release to support new features, functionality, and deliver exceptional performance.
  • Convenient SSO/SAML authentication for employees to sign in and activate Parallels Desktop with a corporate account.
  • Allows admins to deploy, provision, or transfer a Windows 11 virtual machine across employees’ Mac computers.
  • Manage Parallels customer experience program participation centrally in Parallels My Account.
Dennis Sellers
the authorDennis Sellers
Dennis Sellers is the editor/publisher of Apple World Today. He’s been an “Apple journalist” since 1995 (starting with the first big Apple news site, MacCentral). He loves to read, run, play sports, and watch movies.