![]() ![]() There was just one problem: my wife and I are in the process of moving and my MacBook Pro was hidden away in a storage unit while we showed the house to potential buyers. Naturally, I wanted to test how this works and experience Parallels’ simple new onboarding process. But what is new is that Microsoft now officially supports this configuration: previously, Mac users who needed to run a Windows app locally had to make do with a Windows Insider Preview version of Windows 11 on Arm that was not supported by Microsoft and had to be laboriously kept up-to-date as new builds were released. This information isn’t new, and it’s been true ever since Parallels released an Apple Silicon-compatible version of its virtualization platform, despite Qualcomm’s steady progress on the in-house chipsets used in newer PCs like the ThinkPad X13s. But until that happens, there’s only one truly great way to run Windows 11 on Arm. Granted, that could change: Qualcomm should announce its first Nuvia-based Arm chipsets for chipsets later this year, and the first PCs based on these chipsets should arrive in early 2024. But with Windows 11 on Arm, it might not be a lie: Windows 11 on Arm seems to run better in a Parallels Desktop 18-based virtualized environment than it does on native Arm PC hardware. However, if you do constantly need Windows programs on your Mac, it’s a no-brainer, and it will, at the end of the day, save you a lot of money than shelling out for a separate Windows computer altogether.For years, Mac enthusiasts have spread the lie that the best way to run Windows was on a Mac. OutlookĪt a starting price of $80, Parallels is certainly not cheap, and it’s important to remember that it doesn’t include the cost of a Windows license. In comparison, when I played Counter-Strike on the Windows 11 virtual machine, it was practically unplayable at15 frames per second. As we found out in our M1 gaming review, the Mac Mini can produce a reasonable performance for mid-tier titles, including Fortnite, Asphalt, CS: GO, and more. Since Parallels doesn’t support DirectX 12, that leaves out most new video games, and for the ones it can launch, like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, you’ll have a better time playing them on macOS itself. The one aspect where the Windows virtual machine is still no match for a direct installation is gaming. Similarly, you can access Mac files from the Windows File Explorer, and Mac apps will be available in Windows’ “Open-with” menu. Both the desktops can stay in sync as well, which means the active Windows programs will appear on the macOS dock. With the “Coherence” mode, you can access Windows apps as if they’re installed on macOS itself and effortlessly drag and drop files across them and Mac apps - minus the constant back and forth between the VM and macOS. Windows 11 on a Mac (Image credit: Future) So if you own an entry-level Mac with only 8GB of RAM like me, you can utilize this to ensure running two operating systems doesn’t grind your machine to a halt. ![]() The most important tool is the ability to configure how much memory and CPU bandwidth is allocated to the virtual machine. On top of that, it offers a host of handy tools so that you can adjust the experience depending on your demands. Parallels automatically shares your macOS profile’s data with the VM, such as Wi-Fi and printer settings. Once you’re inside the Windows 11 virtual machine, there’s little for you to set up. ![]() Once you download Parallels on your Mac, its installation assistant will grab and load up the Windows 11 ISO file for you, and the M1 chip’s performance chops wrap up that process in about 30 minutes. ![]() Installing Windows on Parallels is no longer a multi-step process either. It supports all the new Windows 11 bells and whistles, except for Android games since Parallels can’t replicate the “hardware acceleration” option just yet. Plus, it can wake up from sleep in an instant in the same state you left it, including all the open apps. Windows 11 on a Mac (Image credit: Parallels)Įverything from Windows 11’s refreshed animations to resource-intensive multitasking worked as Microsoft intended it to. ![]()
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