The Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 update makes it possible to run full-fledged Windows on Apple Mac computers with their own processors. Previously, only Windows for ARM was available.
In the blog Parallels talks about the ability to run x86_64 virtual machines on Mac. This means the possibility of installing Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019/2022, and some Linux distributions on modern Apple laptops or desktops.
In 2021, Parallels implemented Windows 11 on Apple devices with Silicon chips, but it was only the version for ARM — developers and users could not natively run Windows programs on Mac. The new version of the program also allows installing x86_64 Linux distributions without using Rosetta.
However, the company is currently talking about a technology preview, not a full feature. Support for x86 in Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 for Mac with Apple Silicon has many restrictions, the biggest of which is response delays. The description says: “Performance is slow — very slow. Windows loading time is about 2-7 minutes, depending on the hardware. The responsiveness of the Windows operating system is also low.” Roughly speaking, playing is not possible.
The new version of Parallels Desktop supports the installation of 32-bit applications, but does not support 32-bit operating systems. The company also lists several limitations: lack of USB support, recognition of connected devices, lack of sound, etc.
Since x86_64 support on Mac is still in the beta testing stage, the feature is hidden in the user interface. To work with it, you need to right-click on the required virtual machine and select “Start using the emulator.” It can also be launched using the Parallels command line interface.
Source: Tom`s Hardware
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