Parallels Desktop runs Windows programs on your Mac without rebooting. If you've ever tried to switch from Windows to Mac but got stuck because one critical Windows application doesn't have a Mac version, this software solves that problem.
I've been using Parallels since 2019 on both Intel and M1 Macs. The setup takes about 30 minutes if you know what you're doing, 2 hours if you don't. The official installation guide walks you through the basics, but real-world setup has more gotchas than they admit.
The Real Story on Apple Silicon
Here's what actually happened: When Apple killed Boot Camp with their M1 chips in 2020, everyone freaked out. No more dual-booting Windows. Parallels swooped in with an ARM version that Microsoft officially supports - meaning you can legally run Windows 11 ARM on M-series Macs without violating any licensing terms.
The performance on M1/M2 Macs shocked me - way better than I expected. Windows usually boots in 10-15 seconds, unless it decides to install updates and ruins your morning, and Microsoft Office runs faster than it does on many actual Windows laptops I've tested. Apple Silicon's unified memory architecture helps here - both macOS and Windows share the same RAM pool efficiently. Your Mac's fan will spin up when running both operating systems simultaneously, but it's not the jet engine sound you'd expect.
What Breaks and What Doesn't
Gaming is hit-or-miss. DirectX 11 support means older games work fine - I can play Age of Empires II and Civilization VI without issues. But forget about running Cyberpunk 2077 or any modern AAA title that requires DirectX 12. That's just not happening.
Professional software usually works. The main reason people buy Parallels is to run one specific Windows application they can't live without. Usually it's:
- Some ancient enterprise software their company refuses to update
- AutoCAD or SolidWorks for engineering work
- QuickBooks Desktop (the full version, not the neutered online version)
- Trading platforms that only exist on Windows
The Subscription Tax
Here's where Parallels screws you: they went subscription-only. $99 per year adds up. You can still buy a perpetual license for $220, but it only works with the current version. When they release a new major version next year, you're stuck.
The "Pro" edition costs $120/year and is complete overkill unless you're running multiple VMs or need command-line access for automation. Most people should stick with Standard.
Memory Requirements Are Real
Don't even think about running Parallels with less than 16GB of RAM. Windows alone will eat 4-6GB, macOS needs another 4-8GB, and you'll want some headroom for actual work. I learned this the hard way trying to run it on a base MacBook Air with 8GB - constant swap file thrashing made everything unusable. The official system requirements say 4GB minimum, but that's useless in practice. Check the memory allocation guidelines for performance optimization tips.
Setup Reality Check
Getting Windows 11 ARM is a pain because Microsoft buries the download link. You'll spend 20 minutes hunting for the actual ARM64 ISO file because they'd rather sell you a Surface. Windows activation can also be finicky - sometimes it works immediately, sometimes you need to call Microsoft's automated phone system and explain why you're not a pirate. The Parallels Knowledge Base has troubleshooting guides, but they're often outdated.
Pro tip: Always quit Parallels completely before putting your Mac to sleep, or you'll get weird network issues. If Windows stops activating after a major macOS update, just restart the VM twice. Works every time for some reason.
The "Coherence mode" everyone raves about is cool until a Windows app crashes and takes your entire Mac dock with it. I've lost work because of this. I keep it disabled because I'd rather have a clean separation between the two operating systems. Coherence mode crashes are common enough that there's a dedicated troubleshooting guide. If you're having performance issues, start by checking your CPU and memory allocation settings.
For alternatives, consider UTM (free and open-source) or VMware Fusion Pro which is now completely free. There's a detailed comparison of virtualization options if you want to weigh your choices.
