Unlike any of the other tools I tested or reviewed, including Apple’s Boot Camp, I was able to install any version of Windows, all updates, and all major software packages. For anything short of gaming, Parallels Desktop is the best option for running Windows (and more) on a Mac.įrom Beta Program to Release - Parallels released their first beta of Parallels Desktop for Mac (called Parallels Workstation at the time) just as I was completing my previous article for TidBITS the first week of April. Although there’s still plenty of room for improvement, it’s one of the few pieces of software I can strongly recommend without reservations, and one that might just change the world’s perceptions of Macs. I’m normally quite cynical and critical of new technology products, but Parallels Desktop so far surpasses initial expectations that’s it’s hard to avoid waxing poetic.

(See my last article, 'WinOnMac Smackdown: Dual-Boot versus Virtualization' for a more thorough explanation of virtualization and how it differs from Apple’s Boot Camp beta implementation.) And this isn’t due to the powers of giants like Microsoft (Virtual PC), EMC (VMWare), or even open source (QEMU), but rather a diminutive yet nimble startup called Parallels. But with this final chapter I’m proud to say my switch to a full-time Mac user is complete, ahead of schedule, and virtualization is far more powerful than I ever expected merely six months after the release of the first Intel Macs. Parallels Desktop: The Switch Is Completeīack when I first contacted TidBITS to write my article 'From iPod to MacBook Pro: A Switcher’s Tale,' I never expected it would result in a trilogy dedicated to the state of virtualization on a Mac. #1621: Apple Q3 2022 financials, Slack's new free plan restrictions, which OS features do you use?.#1622: OS feature survey results, Continuity Camera webcam preview, OWC miniStack STX.#1623: How to turn off YouTube's PiP, use AirPlay to Mac, and securely erase Mac drives.#1624: Important OS security updates, rescuing QuickTake 150 photos, AirTag alerts while traveling.

#1625: Apple's 'Far Out' event, the future of FileMaker, free NMUG membership, Quick Note and tags in Notes, Plex suffers data breach.

Parallels bridged network grayed out