Run any OS instantly1
Parallels for Mac is a type-2 hypervisor that runs Windows, Linux, and other guest operating systems on macOS through virtual machine instances. It supports Intel-based Macs and Apple silicon systems, including the installation of Windows 11 ARM. The platform allocates CPU threads, memory, storage, and graphics resources to virtual machines through adjustable hardware profiles.
Parallels for Mac integrates macOS and guest environments through shared folders, device pass-through, and network configuration controls. Virtual machine states can be suspended, resumed, duplicated, and stored. It features snapshots, dynamic resource scaling, and DirectX translation. It runs alongside macOS without a reboot.
Parallels for Mac structures each virtual machine with independent hardware abstraction settings. VM profiles specify computing resources, virtual disk types, display scaling modes, and virtualization acceleration targets. Hardware options include nested virtualization support, adjustable VRAM allocation, and multi-core CPU scheduling parameters. Storage options include expanding or fixed-size disks. Network modes are bridged, shared, or host-only. VMs are isolated, accessing host hardware via device mapping and virtualization drivers.
Pro virtualization
Integration links environments via files, devices, and apps. Shared folders allow access; device pass-through assigns peripherals (USB, audio, camera, Bluetooth) to guests. Clipboard/drag-and-drop bridges data transfer. Coherence Mode displays guest applications without rendering the guest desktop environment, functioning through window compositing and process mapping. Virtualized drivers and translation interfaces enable printer/network sharing. However, GPU acceleration is limited by virtualization layers.
Graphics and processing performance rely on host GPU and CPU acceleration layers. On Apple silicon systems, Windows applications execute through Windows 11 Arm compatibility layers and optional x86-to-Arm translation components. DirectX support is implemented through translation libraries that convert graphics calls into Metal-based rendering operations. The Installation Assistant automates the setup of Linux and Windows. Snapshots capture VM states for rollback/duplication. It supports multiple concurrent guests, limited by host resources.
Simply parallel
Parallels for Mac manages guest OSs, resource profiles, and host integration. It supports both Intel-based and Apple silicon hardware and includes translation mechanisms for graphics and application execution. The system operates without requiring a macOS reboot, and configuration options handle processor allocation, device mapping, and storage handling. Key elements are system integration and display modes. However, GPU acceleration is limited by virtualization layers.
Pros
- Configurable virtual hardware profiles
- Shared folder and device pass-through integration
- Snapshot and state-management tools
- Supports multiple guest operating systems
Cons
- GPU acceleration is limited by virtualization layers
