For many Mac users, running Windows applications is essential. Maybe your employer uses software that only works with Windows, or needs to use a website that relies on certain Windows technologies. Or maybe you want to play Windows games on your Mac. Or, you may need to test apps and services on other operating systems -- the only way you can also install macOS on a Mac is on a Mac, since Apple doesn't allow macOS to be installed on any other operating system.
When Apple switched to Intel CPUs in 2006, it became easier to run Windows on a Mac with the introduction of Apple's own Boot Camp, which made it easier to run Windows and macOS natively on a Mac. But times have changed, and Apple has now transitioned from Intel to its own M-series chips, and left Boot Camp in the past because it wasn't an option for M-series Macs. (Macs that still use Intel processors can still use Apple's Boot Camp to dual-boot and switch between Windows and macOS).
The move to ARM-based M-series chips also means modern Macs can't run non-ARM versions of Windows. There is an ARM version of Windows, but mastering it can be a challenge.
Fortunately, for those who want to run Windows and other guest operating systems on their Mac, there are other options, the best of which is Parallels Desktop. Parallels Desktop has dominated the Mac virtualization market in recent years, thanks to a regular annual update cycle that often coincides with updates to macOS itself.
What is Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop is virtualization software that allows you to create a virtual machine on your Mac that runs Windows and other operating systems as if they were another Mac application. Unlike Apple's Boot Camp, Parallels lets you run Mac and Windows applications side-by-side at the same time.
This means you can view the Windows desktop in a floating window on the Mac desktop, expand Windows to a full-screen size so that it completely hides the Mac desktop, and even shrink Windows to a small preview sitting in the corner of the Mac desktop so you can view it on the desktop. Keep an eye on the Windows side of things when using other Mac applications.
Over the years, Parallels Desktop has gained rich functionality by taking advantage of the fact that multiple operating systems can run side by side. The latest update for Parallels Desktop is version 19, released in August 2023. We'll discuss what's new in this release below, before moving on to some of the best features introduced in Parallels Desktop over the years.
What's new in Parallels Desktop 19
Parallels continues its annual update cycle, which tends to arrive at the same time as each new version of macOS. So, with macOS Sonoma set to launch in October 2023, the company just launched the new Parallels Desktop 19. It's a pretty big upgrade, too, though some of its new features are technology updates hidden beneath the surface that might not be immediately apparent to users of previous versions. There are also some new features that are only available in the Pro and Business editions of Parallels Desktop, including some specifically aimed at developers.
One new feature that will stand out soon, though, is the redesigned interface, with windows and dialogs in Parallels Desktop 19 now featuring the same curved lines and candy-colored colors that Apple has used in macOS in recent years. The app even gets a new desktop icon.
What's more, 3D graphics are supported in Windows using OpenGL 4.1, which provides better compatibility and performance for many important graphics and design tools such as ArcGIS Pro, VectorWorks and VariCAD.
However, as mentioned earlier, there are a couple of features that might not be all that compelling. Apple has changed the printing system used in Sonoma, so Parallels Desktop 19 introduces a new Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), which will continue to allow you to print documents from virtual machines using regular printers (which, according to Parallels, is actually Provides better compatibility for features such as duplex printing on some printers).
Version 19 also brings Touch ID to your Windows virtual machines (VMs). This provides an extra layer of protection, as it allows you to log into a Windows virtual machine using Touch ID and your personal Microsoft account. This is especially important for business users who may have sensitive data on Windows virtual machines that needs to be kept safe. Larger organizations that purchase the commercial version of Parallels Desktop can also use their virtual machines with corporate management systems such as Hashicorp Packer and Microsoft's InTune.