This software lets you access Windows and Mac OS at the same time
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There are various reasons why an everyday Mac owner might want to give virtualization software a try. Maybe you’ve recently switched from Windows, and you’re not quite comfortable with your new Mac OS digs. Maybe you wish Apple would add desktop Siri support, and think Microsoft’s Cortana could be a suitable replacement. Maybe you just want to run Linux.
Whatever the case, a virtual machine lets you access another OS much faster than dual-booting through Apple’s Boot Camp tool, and makes it so you don’t need two separate machines to get to both worlds. With the right software, that access will come off more naturally, effectively blending Windows programs into Mac OS itself.
If any of this interests you, Parallels Desktop 11 is one example of that right software. It’s the latest version of one of the earliest and most enduring virtualization programs, and while it’s not exactly cheap, it should make diversifying your Mac’s functionality straightforward.
This edition now works with Mac OS X El Capitan and supports Windows 10, but you can also use it to run a virtual version of Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Linux, or Chrome OS, if you so choose. Like past Parallels iterations, it does well to make Windows apps and UI features work as if they were part of the native OS. This is particularly impressive with the aforementioned Cortana, which you can use to crawl the web, set reminders, or do anything else you’d do with a Windows 10 device, without actually needing a Windows 10 device.
Now, this is still virtualization tech, so the usual caveats apply. Parallels has continuously upgraded the software to perform more efficiently, but something like this puts a heavy strain on your hardware by default, so it’s best to not have too old of a MacBook. 3D graphics performance is also relatively weak, so, although it might seem like a good way to play Windows or Linux games, you’ll usually have a hard time getting them to run smoothly. Also, you still have to buy a copy of Windows if you want to use it virtually.
It’s also worth noting that there are similar programs out there. VMWare Fusion is a very similar alternative — it costs the same, lets you access your license across a handful of devices (Parallels limits you to one), and generally has better graphics performance. Again, though, that only means so much, and Parallels feels both a little faster to boot and more integrated. Oracle’s VirtualBox, meanwhile, is entirely free, though it lags well behind in terms of overall power and feature set.
About that price: Parallels now charges $80 outright for a standard version geared toward home and student use, and $100 annually for stronger Pro and Business versions. The latter two include support for the company’s Access mobile app, and incorporate newer iterations (which come every year) into the subscription. If you’re upgrading from Parallels Desktop 9 or 10, all of those go down to $50.
The fact that Parallels has lessened the maximum power of the standard edition isn’t great, but the whole thing should still be strong enough for most non-professional needs. Either way, you get a 14-day free trial, so you’re free to take a look and see if this kind of thing is right for you.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac (Standard Edition, Download), $79.99, available at Parallels.
Parallels Desktop 11 for Mac (Standard Edition, Mac Key Card), $62.05, available at Amazon.