VM setup choices: With Parallels Desktop for Mac, you can set up a virtual machine by using a Windows 10 disc image. Apparently you have to then buy their time. I am not looking forward to that.
Parallels Desktop 14 is the fastest, easiest, and most powerful application for running Windows applications on a Mac without rebooting. Optimized for macOS Mojave, Parallels Desktop 14 for Mac lets you save up to 20 GB disk space and start Windows and applications up to 35% faster. Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac: Yes, you will have to buy Windows as well. If you are retiring your PC, you could use its Windows install disk since you've already paid for that license. Parallels simply offers an environment in which to utilize other operating systems. I want to buy a Zune but own a Mac, so I am possibly looking to buy Parallels so I can run Windows on my Mac. Do I need to buy a copy of Windows as well as Parallels or just parallels?
If you’re a Mac user who needs quick and fast access to a Windows installation, then in many cases it’s a good idea to go with a Virtual Machine. Parallels is one of the most popular virtualization options for Mac users wishing to run Windows, and the latest version, Parallels 13, makes it ridiculously easy to get up and running.
Via what essentially amounts to an unattended installation of Windows 10, Parallels 13 can have you up and running, from download to usage, in just a few minutes. Watch our brief video walkthrough for a demonstration.
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When it comes to running Windows on the Mac, there are quite a few options to explore. You can now with a tried an true Windows Boot camp installation, a Windows To Go install, or one of the many virtualization options available.
There are free virtualization options available, but if you’re looking for sheer ease of use and dead-simple installation, Parallels 13 is hard to beat. You can go from not having Windows, to having a Windows 10 installation in just a few clicks. Best of all, the majority of the install process is completely unattended, so you can just set it and forget it.
Video walkthrough
As you might expect from a major new release, Parallels 13 includes several new features that are enhancements over previous versions of the software. Most notably, it also officially supports macOS High Sierra.
One of my favorite new features is the new Picture-in-Picture mode, which allows you to keep a virtual instance on screen at all times. This is handy for being able to monitor one more more virtual machines simultaneously, while still working in macOS.
There is also extensive utilization of the MacBook Pro Touch Bar in Parallels 13. Although I no longer own a machine donning a Touch Bar, users can expect to be able to interface directly with Windows applications using the dynamic input method.
There are other new items in Parallels 13, including People Bar integration directly in the macOS Dock. This features allows users to have one-click access to frequently used contacts, and comes with more overall flexibility in the Parallels environment than it does on Windows itself.
But of all things included with this latest version of Parallels, I most appreciate the sheer ease-of-use provided by the software. Installing Windows, frankly, couldn’t be easier, and being able to run multiple virtualized software instances via Picture-in-Picture is a very nice feature to have.
Some may have rightly questioned my decision to upgrade my 5K iMac with 40 GB of RAM, but such a choice pays off when running more than one virtual machine. In that case, the more RAM the better, since you must individually assign each instance with resources from your overall system pool. It also means that the upcoming iMac Pro’s 8, 10, and 18-core processor options will be well-suited for virtualization. Just be sure to get as much RAM as you can, since it won’t be user-replaceable.
To be sure, Parallels 13 is an investment, especially when you consider that using Boot Camp, or software like Virtual Box is free. However, you’re paying for sheer convenience in the case of Parallels. There’s no need to restart your Mac into Windows, and installation is more or less effortless. Performance won’t be as good as running Windows directly, but virtualization has made significant strides over the past few years. For example, Parallels will even be able to take advantage of external GPU resources once Apple unlocks that ability in macOS High Sierra next spring. If you value convenience, then the $80 price of admission may be worth it to you. Yo ucan buy directly from Parallels here or on Amazon here.
We’re giving away two copies of Parallels 13 for free. Here’s how to win:
Leave a comment on our @9to5Mac Parallels 13 Instagram post telling us how you plan on using the virtualization software. The first two valid replies will receive a free activation code via Instagram DM, so make sure you follow us there.
Update: giveaway winners (@_dlmc88_ and @derexed) have been selected. Thank you to all who entered. Stay tuned for more giveaways.
Up to Date
Optimized for the latest Windows 10 updates and ready for macOS Catalina (10.15).
Ultimate Flexibility
Works with OS X, Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, Google Chrome™,Linux and Unix, and macOS Server. No more having to choose between PC or Mac.
Touch Bar
Add Windows applications to Touch Bar™ for instant access and customization.
Connect Devices
USB, USB-C, Thunderbolt and FireWire devices connect with Windows. Pair your Bluetooth® devices—including Xbox One controller, stylus pen and printer—to work with both Windows and macOS.
Retina® Display Support
Smart resizing and independent screen resolutions for separate displays.
One-Click Tuning
Select productivity, games, design, software testing, or development, and Parallels Desktop will optimize your VM settings and performance for you.
Instant Access
Launch and access Windows applications right from the Mac Dock.
Save Disk Space
Get the most out of your Mac with automatic Disk Space optimization.
Office 365 Integration
Allows Word, Excel, or PowerPoint documents in Safari to open in their native Windows Office application.
Works with Boot Camp
Reuse your existing Boot Camp installation. Converting a virtual machine from Boot Camp is easy—just follow our installation assistant at startup.
Volume License Key
Unified volume license key, centralized license management, and advanced security features are available in Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition.
Travel Mode
Extend battery life while away from a power source.
Bonus! Parallels® Toolbox
Over 30 one-touch tools—clean your drive, take screenshots, download a video, and more, all with just a single click.
Bonus! Remote Access
Parallels For Mac Help
Remote access to your Mac from any iOS device, Android device, or browser with Parallels Access®.
24/7 Support
Premium 24/7 phone, email, and social support after activation.
- Share Mac applications with Windows
- Automatic resolution change
- Single cloud storage space between Mac and Windows
- Drag and drop files between Mac and Windows
- Copy and paste files or text between Mac and Windows
- Launch Windows applications right from the Dock
- Move your PC to Mac in a few easy steps
- Assign any USB devices to your Mac or Windows
- Retina display support for Windows
- Volume control synchronization
- Open any site in Microsoft Explorer right from Safari® browser
- Apply macOS Parental Control to Windows applications
- Windows alerts in Mac Notification Center
- Mac dictation inside Windows applications
- See the number of unread emails in the Dock
- “Reveal in Windows Explorer” in macOS files menu
- Virtual machine encryption
- Linked clones for VMs*
- Vagrant provider*
- 32 vCPUs and 128 GB vRAM*
- Nested virtualization for Linux*
- Drag and drop files in macOS guests
- Real-time virtual disk optimization
- Create VM from VHD and VMDK disks*
- Drag and drop to create VM
- Disk Space Wizard optimizes your disk space
- Shared folders and printers for Linux VMs
- Windows applications in Launchpad
- Power Nap in Windows
- Use Force Touch to look up definitions
- New virtual machine wizard
- Mission Control support
- Presentation Wizard prevents most projector issues
- Drop files onto Outlook to create a new message
- Multi-language keyboard sync
- Picture-in-Picture view
Parallels For Mac Home
- Share Bluetooth between Mac and Windows
- macOS guest support
- Spaces functionality for Windows applications
- Mission Control exposes your Windows applications
- DirectX support
- Thunderbolt support
- Licensing portal*
- Firewire support
- USB-C and USB 3.0 support
- Work without risk with Snapshots
- Safeguard your VM with encryption
- 2 GB video memory support
- Finder tabs work with Windows applications
- AVX512 instruction set support
- Mojave support
- Disk usage optimizations
- Report disk space left on Mac
- Express installation of Windows 10
- Native Mojave screenshots
- Auto allocation of video memory
- “Free Up Disk Space” wizard
- Free OS downloads
- Coherence for external displays
- Continuity camera support
- Touch Bar support
- Shared smart card reader
- Multi-monitor support
- 4K shared camera support
- CPU usage indicator
- Mojave Quick Look support
- Pressure sensitivity support
- Resource usage monitor
- OpenGL support
- Offer to import Boot Camp
- Auto-detect games keyboard
- And many more…
Parallel Software For Mac
*Available with Parallels Desktop Pro Edition and Business Edition subscriptions