So, if you are running Windows on Mac as I am, I have news for you. Finally, we get version 20.1.0 of Parallels Desktop, with some crucial improvements. But let’s start from the beginning. I already wrote a few basic information about a new version of Parallels Desktop.
Someone already asked me why I use a Macbook if I also use Windows. The answer is straightforward. I found that Apple’s silicon and Macbook Pro devices are much better than any other Windows device. But from that time, I needed the Windows operating system, and this is where Windows virtualization came into play.
Use Windows on a Mac to play with AI
If you live like me in the EU, you know Apple Intelligence is unavailable in Europe, and it is hard to say when it will be. So, personally, you use Windows AI capabilities to do the trick.
We can also use the Parallels Visual Studio Code Extension (Check it here) to access the Parallels catalog. Then, we can download the Parallels AI Package. It is a Linux-based virtual machine prepackaged with tools, sample code, and instructions that allow developers to start working and experimenting with AI without setup hassle.
There is no cloud cost, but developers can still begin experimenting in minutes. The virtual machine also allows developers to adjust configuration: change allocated resources or disable network access to ensure data privacy.
Learn how to work with AI
With Parallels Desktop 20 and AI Package, developers can learn how to work with AI and start integrating it into their own apps or build new solutions – all in the comfort of their Mac. Using the Visual Studio Code extension, they can also use the DevOps service to easily share VMs they are working on in private catalogs. Organizations can use the package to create specialized VMs with AI that are isolated and managed with the help of the Parallels Desktop Management Portal in Enterprise Edition. For developers and students using the Windows platform, Parallels Desktop 20 unlocks DirectML API, enabling AI enthusiasts to use Windows ML and ONNX Runtime frameworks locally on a Mac.
Run Windows on a Mac and be ready for Windows 11 24H2
Sustaining the stability and integration of major Windows 11 24H2 updates in a virtual environment: fixes for the NVMe driver, express Windows 11 installation on Intel-based Mac computers, mouse cursor positioning, and a fix for the dynamic resolution to sustain the ability to resize a Windows 11 VM window with automatic resolution
adjustments.
Compatibility with Windows apps on Apple silicon Macs
Improved compatibility with ArcGIS Pro, LabVIEW, Ninja Trader, and other applications so that you can now seamlessly install and run on a Mac with Apple silicon — all with the help of Parallels Desktop for Mac. Parallels is proud to be the first Microsoft-authorized solution for running Arm versions of Windows 11 on Mac, helping to amplify the adoption of the Arm platform by software developers.
The key improvements in Parallels Desktop for Mac 20.1.0
General
- Fixed an issue where ARM-based installation ISOs were incorrectly flagged as incompatible during the VM setup process.
- Introduced Enterprise Edition and accompanying Management Portal (available one week after the release of this version).
Windows
- Added the ability to use macOS Sequoia writing tools in Windows apps such as MS Word, PowerPoint, etc. Note: This feature is supported on Macs running macOS 15.1 or later. Apple Intelligence must be enabled.
- Added support for Windows Server 2025 VMs for ARM and x86-64 architectures (when released).
- Fixed an issue that prevented links and attachments in Microsoft Outlook (desktop) from opening using certain apps on Apple Silicon Macs (e.g. Safari or Preview) when they were set as default apps from a Windows 11 machine.
- Fixed an issue that caused users to be unexpectedly prompted to enter their username and password on a newly installed Windows 11 virtual machine.
- Fixed an issue that prevented Windows 10 virtual machines with nested virtualization enabled from booting.
- Fixed an issue that prevented shared host apps with Intelligent App Control enabled from starting on Windows 11 22H2 machines.
- Fixed an issue that prevented SSH connection using the “Pair to Mac” option in Visual Studio 2022 on a Windows 11 VM.
- Fixed an issue that caused objects in L8 not to be displayed and showed errors about insufficient VRAM on Windows 11.
Linux - Fixed an issue that caused x86 apps to fail to launch on Ubuntu Linux with Rosetta on Apple Silicon Macs running macOS Sequoia 15.
- Added ready-to-use devices for the latest versions of popular Linux distributions, including Ubuntu 24.04, Fedora 40, Debian 12.6, and Kali 2024.2.
Should I buy it?
If you think that Parallels Desktop is the right tool for you, that’s a perfect time to buy it. Right now, Parallels is 25% off! And of course, you can do me a favor and buy it from my affiliate link 🙂
Just click on the image below.
