Once a new version of Parallels arrives, you need to purchase an upgrade for it to support the next version of macOS. Available for a one-time fee, this version offers fewer features and only covers updates for the current version of Parallels. The confusion arises when you consider there's also a standard version of Parallels Desktop 18. Subscriptions are available for the student, pro, and standard editions of Parallels Desktop 18. After a year, you must re-up your subscription to continue using the product. For this, you get to use the software for 12 months, including any updates that might arrive during that time. Regretfully, Parallels Desktop 18 comes with the same confusion.Ĭorel offers Parallels Desktop 18 through a yearly subscription model. In my Parallels Desktop 17 review, I criticized the confusing way Corel prices the virtualization software. Parallels Desktop 18: What you won't like GPU customization isn't allowed, however, and is still controlled directly by macOS. I recommend using the recommended (and default) CPU/RAM settings for most users, so there's a nice balance between physical macOS and virtual OSs.įor those with machines using the Apple M1 Max and Ultra chips, it's now possible to configure virtual machines through Parallels with up to 62GB of memory and 18 CPU cores. Better still, Parallels 18 makes purchasing and downloading Windows ARM seamless from within the app.ĭuring my tests on my 14-inch MacBook Pro (with an M1 chip), Windows 11 performed flawlessly through Parallels Desktop 18. Thanks to this, you can now use ARM versions of Windows 11 through Parallels and similar tools without missing a beat. However, Microsoft has now introduced Windows On ARM, or WoA. So no, Bootcamp is still not an option on M1 and M2 Macs.

Time has a way of resolving issues such as this.

More about ARM: One of the earliest drawbacks of using an Apple silicon Mac was that it was impossible to run Intel versions of Windows through virtualization using software such as Parallels or a Bootcamp partition. Games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive that didn't work in Parallels Desktop 17 now run correctly. The company says 99.9% of Intel apps run successfully on Windows ARM, including resource-heavy titles like AutoCad. Specifically, the saving and reading of files have been improved, and games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive that didn't work in Parallels Desktop 17 now run correctly.

Beforehand, this involved a sometimes complex process of installing Windows drivers and hoping the connection worked. Parallels Desktop 18 also provides improved USB 3.0 support, enabling connected webcams, video capture devices, and audio streaming devices.Ĭorel has also made it much better to run Intel (x86) apps through Windows 11 on ARM. For example, it's now possible for a game controller connected to your Mac to work in a virtual Windows session.

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