Feature Parallels Desktop Lite Parallels Desktop for Mac Standard Edition Guest OS installation Install from.iso image file √ √ Install from DVD √ √ Install from USB √ √ Install from Boot Camp √ PC to VM transfer √ Working with VMs Pause √ √ Autopause √ Suspend √ √ Snapshots √ √ Sharing: Windows Applications Sharing from Guest OS √ Sharing Guest OS files with OS X (reverse sharing) √ Share OS X folders with Windows √ √ Share custom OS X folders with Windows √ √ Shared Profile (mirror Downloads, Desktop, Movies etc.

1. Parallels Desktop For Mac Free
2. Parallels Desktop 12 For Mac

Pros: Parallels work great as you can work as if you were on a Windows from your mac. In order to launch Windows you don't even need to restart your machine, you just need to run Parallels and it will open on as any other application does. You can maximise the window so that you can switch from your mac to Windows with just a swipe.

It will feel as if you were running Windows at all its effects. You can fine-tune how you want to distribute your machine's resources while running Parallels, so that you can give more or less to one or the other depending on your needs. Another option is to have Windows in integration mode, that means that you won't see Windows as a separate application running on your mac but integrated on it so that you can run Windows applications from your mac directly while running Parallels like this. Cons: The integration mode is good but sometimes it can be a bit confusing if you're not used to it. In my opinion, I prefer the separate mode and switch from one screen to the other.

If you need Windows to run applications that need a lot of resources it can really slow your mac down as once you run Parallels, the defined resources will be fully dedicated to it and therefore not available to your mac. Pros: Parallels desktop allows creating as many virtual computers as you need (disk space permitting;-) ). If you need to run a piece of serious SW available only for Windows or Linux, just create the respective virtual computer. With Windows and Coherence, you even have the Windows applications seamlessly available from the familiar Mac desktop. I use to run it the Lotus Approach, legacy, yet still unbeaten powerful database GUI and report/form creator for dummies. Alternatively, if you just want to test something without putting your Mac at risk, create an isolated throwaway virtual machine, test your new fancy SW, and if anything happens (or you just don't like it anymore), discard the virtual machine.

If you're a newcomer to the Mac or to Windows virtualisation, Parallels Desktop 9 is an easy sell. If you need to run Windows on Mac, this is a fast, usable, stable and configurable way to do it. Parallels Desktop is celebrating its tenth birthday this year, and its regular cycle of annual updates has helped to consolidate its position as the leading virtualization tool for Mac users who.

Cons: Parallels could be a bit sluggish if there is not enough physical memory and processing power available, this makes virtualization of computationally demanding tasks a bit difficult. But in most case you won't notice your Gnumeric is not running in MacOS but in virtual Ubuntu. Overall: It enables me running my favorite Approach on my Mac and whenever I need to test something as if from a different computer, I just open one ready virtual machine, log in, and it's done. Pros: Working on a mac on a daily basis is great but it's true that some applications are not available for this OS and you need to turn to a Windows machine. You can do that very easily with Parallels. You create a virtual image where you can install Windows, or any other OS for that matter, as you would on any machine. Once installed, you just need to launch Parallels and run your virtual machine.

The ease of use is amazing! If you maximise the application window is like if you were running on a machine with Windows natively installed. One pro is that you can have several machines available if needed with different configurations, or with different OS and launch the one you need. Also, you can decide how much power, in terms of RAM and disk, you want to dedicate to that VM. Cons: The main con, I'd say is that if you need a lot of resources to run the applications on the virtual machine, then your mac performance can definitely be affected. Since this is all configurable, you will need to see what balance works best for your needs.

Parallels Desktop For Mac Free

Pros: This software never ceases to impress me. It's almost unbelievable just how powerful this software really is, and I couldn't be happier with it. It's fast, it's easy (but certainly easier if you're tech savvy), and enables me to run Microsoft Windows 10 Pro alongside Mac OSX, simultaneously, and I can also use it to remotely connect to either the virtual Windows machine or my Mac, from any other computer I want. Those are only the main features, too. There are tons more awesome tools built in to the software, such as being able to send files between the two OS' and even copy & paste from Windows to Mac and vice versa.

Their customer service is also outstanding. I had to reach out for an issue and I received a reply and a recommended course of action the very same day, just a few hours later. Cons: It's not completely intuitive, so if you aren't computer savvy or have little patience, you'll probably be a little frustrated in the beginning. It takes a little bit of time to get it configured, and I'd highly recommend watching any instructional videos they send. I didn't, so it took me a while to figure out even some of the basic features.

Pros: I can run an instance of Windows on my Mac, which easily flipping between both platforms.even sharing files between them. I do testing on Mac and PC all the time and this makes it super easy to test all browsers on both platforms from the same machine without requiring rebooting to move from Mac to PC or vice versa. Cons: Notices for updates and license renewals sometimes come up erroneously, but that could be the way my company has installed it on my machine. Overall: I have this for work, but for the first time would consider getting a Mac for personal use knowing I wouldn't have to give up or convert things like Microsoft Office that simply work better on the PC.but have all of the speed advantages of working on a Mac.

Other software requires you to boot into one OS or the other, but Parallels lets you run both at the same time. Parallels essentially runs a full Windows OS in a Mac 'window' or 'app'. Fires up really quickly, allows you to easily take snapshot backups of the full installation, allows a full screen or not view, and you can easily share files between the two OS systems. (create a file on the Mac and open it in Windows, or vice versa). Pros: I own an accounting business, but use Mac's instead of windows PC's. In my line of work, quickbooks has been essential for me.

I have used quickbooks for mac, but found that it didnt measure up to the windows version. That is where parallels has come in to play. I am able to run a windows environment virtually on my mac, while still being able to use everything I need to for my business! I am so glad I can do this instead of feeling forced back to using an actual windows PC.

Cons: Honestly, the only thing I don't like is the constant need to upgrade. Pretty much any time I install an new operating system on my mac, Parallels requires that I re purchase their software because the old version isn't compatible. I will note that when this happens they give pretty big discount, but it is still a little bit frustrating to have to re purchase basically the same software over and over. Overall: Overall, this product does exactly what it needs to, and I have been very happy with its overall quality, ease of use, and other functionalities. Pros: The business world runs mostly on Windows, and if you are running on MacOS, and need to run Windows software, there isn't a better tool out there. Cons: While likely a limitation of MacOS, some notifications from Windows Apps don't appear when in the MacOS desktop from the virtual Windows desktop, and that can be important if it's a meeting reminder. Overall: Microsoft has spent a lot of effort trying to build parity between its Office offerings across platforms, but one area it consistently falls short is Outlook.

It is still only possible to propose a new time for a meeting using the Windows version, and on a Mac, that means some virtualization of Windows. For that, Parallels is the best solution. Apple's Bootcamp allows a full switch from MacOS to Windows, and while it is robust in its support with device drivers and new versions of Windows, Parallels truly allows seamless switching between the two. Indeed, if they could come up with a model to virtualize MacOS on the PC (a restriction of Apple's, to be fair, prevents this) they'd sell millions of copies.

Again, it bears repeating that if a MacOS users needs to run Windows, this is the only software that really bears consideration. Pros: Running Windows 10 inside Parallels on my MacBook simply works as if it's completely native and it can connect and transfer files to and from my MacOS seamlessly. Cons:. The price they charge for upgrading older versions. Version 13 was promised to be much quicker than 12 but in fact, it made my virtual Windows run a lot slower than before. Improvements from version to version are insignificant but they present them as they are breakthroughs. Overall: I have purchased Parallels in their version 3 or 4 about 8 or 9 years ago.

I mainly needed Parallels so that I can use Microsoft Office apps and to run Microsoft Explorer for some sites that insisted on using it (especially my bank). However, in the past few years the Office apps on Mac has become just as good and almost completely identical in how they present files that were generated on Windows platforms and also, Explorer has lost its dominance and there are no sites that require me to access them from Windows only. Therefore, this need has died. There are only 2 apps now that I still sometimes use on Windows and for which I don't have licenses on Mac: MS Project and Visio. Pros: The two best things for me are: 1.

The website they provide for managing subscriptions and licenses. We have about 15 business edition licenses and only one license key to keep track of which is very nice.

Their site makes it very easy to see when your licenses are up for renewal, to revoke a license from a machine, to assign new licenses, and just to see who is currently using the licenses. We have a number of users who have a separate Boot Camp partition on their Macs to run Microsoft Windows natively. But with Parallels you can run that partition (when booted into macOS) as a VM with very little setup. This gives them both options of booting natively or using a VM with Windows. Cons: What I like least is that sometimes I have trouble with or just can't setup a new VM for a macOS guest right after it's released. So that's macOS running another macOS VM, just to be clear. This always gets cleared up later, but when I want to check out a new version of macOS in a safe VM environment, I usually have to wait a few weeks, or just check back in a month or so.

By then it will be easy to setup without wasting time trying to figure out what's wrong. Overall: This software lets me virtualize other versions of macOS, which allows me to test software on various OS's without having a separate Mac for each one. Pros: Parallels makes it easy to run virtual machines on a mac. What's even better is the ability to integrate the VM into the current OS so it acts like your running windows applications within the Mac OS interface. You don't need to leave your Mac OS desktop to run windows apps. Parallels offers great features for a price much less than say VMWare Workstation for Mac. Cons: THe fact that the payment model has been moved to a subscription-based model vs just purchasing the software out right.

Overall: We use Parallels Desktop for Mac on all of our Macs in our company. It makes it easy for our mac users to run the few needed Windows applications while still keeping the look and feel of the Mac OS that they are used to.

Pros: I used both Parallels and VMware Fusion for Windows VM work on my Mac and have long preferred Parallels. Performance is generally better, and more importantly I seem to have less issues as far as stability and random 'VM-related' problems. There have been numerous things over the past few years with Fusion that became annoying enough that they hampered my productivity.

Conversely, with Parallels I can rely on it as I would a stable Windows PC. Cons: Nagging pop-up windows when a new version is released.

Aggressive push toward subscription SaaS model. Less license flexibility than VMware Fusion. Overall: I get a full-featured Windows PC on my Mac when I need it.

Pros: I love the fact that Parallels automatically detects any Bootcamp partition, and makes it possible to boot it as a VM. As long as the VM is properly shutdown, rebooting into the Bootcamp partition (e.g.

For gaming performance) remains as easy as before. This perfectly fits my use-case, where I need to compile and test programs under Windows (perfect for a virtual machine), but occasionally want to play games (perfect for a boot partition). All the main features expected of a virtualization software are present and work effortlessly: network sharing, shared folders, dynamic resolution (including support for fullscreen), etc. But, most importantly, performance is great! Cons: Parallels automatically installs all kinds of tools and shortcuts in both the Windows and macOS systems. This is both a curse and a blessing: it enabled nice integration between the systems (e.g. Well-matched keyboard mappings), but sometimes feel intrusive (e.g.

Many application shortcuts are created, and the Windows performance plan is modified). I feel like high-dpi screens are supported, but not optimally. I often find myself needing to manually zoom on thinks inside the VM, as Windows does not seems to be able to figure out a reasonable zoom factor from the virtual screen exposed by Parallels. Pros: If you have a mac and need to be able to run programs that are only PC compatible then you will love Parallels. I do accounting and the program that I use does not have a mac version that is as powerful as the PC version. Parallels allows me to run both operating systems at one time so I can switch back and forth.

It is easy to load and easy to use. Cons: Parallels is very taxing on a machine - especially an older one.

Some things like printing are a little tricky to get set up. It is also frustrating that it needs updated so frequently and there is a fairly hefty charge for that every time. Pros: The ability to have the Windows OS right on your Mac laptop just like any other app on your laptop and to have multiple versions of the OS. It is truly like having another laptop with you. Cons: I would say the biggest con would be that you have to always pay for the upgrade. There should be some sort of way you can purchase a bundle or have it that the next version is free and then you pay after that. Overall: This is a good product for what it has to offer.

Its great to be able to have two different operating system on one device. This is something you are unable to do with a PC. Hands down its worth the money for the software with the features it has to offer. Pros: Basically this software is very friendly and easy to configure a virtual machine on it.

One of most attractive features from it is how easy it is to move a virtual machine from one host to another, or maintain backup from VM without worrying about data loss. Features to add more 'virtual hardware are very good'. Cons: Particulary sometimes I have been working with some VM and suddenly the app crashes.

The messages shown for this type of errors are very extensive and not easy to understand. Additionally I have noticed that it slows the host even with good memory capacity and processor. Pros: The software has an amazing integration with Mac system.

You can use it both in coherence (a feature that allow you to have an icon to open the windows programs) or in another desktop, so you can access to windows just sliding your fingers in the trackpad of your macbook. Also, yo can have more than one OS and use all of them at the same time. Cons: I dont like the fact that every year a new version of parallels came out and you cant update your version for free or at least cheaper than the full price. You have to pay as you dont have a previous version.

Pros: Parallels allows users to setup any number of virtual machines on top of Mac and these virtual machines can be used parallel. Three finger swipe feature in Parallels is a game changer. Switching between up and running virtual machines is pretty easy because of this feature. Cons: There is no complaint from me. Parallel does what it is supposed to do and all the features are working fine. Overall: I have Parallels on my Mac since 2015 and all my networking related assignments are done using Parallels.

My overall experience with Parallels is amazing. It never disappointed me. Pros: Parallels Desktop is one of the two best apps to run a virtual client OS on your Mac. Parallels makes it easy to have multiple guest OS machines available- they can be configured for specific purposes (testing a specific OS version, running different versions of software, etc.). It is far more convenient to use than installing Windows or Linux on a disk partition and rebooting to use, at least if intense processing power and maximum speed are not needed. Certain OS's can be easily installed as a pre-configured VM.

Very good integration between the guest OS and the native Mac OS. Cons: Biggest con is that, by definition, the guest OS will not run as quickly as if it were running natively.

That's to be expected, of course, and any apps that really require maximum use of your computer's hardware should be run in a native OS instead of a guest OS. Pros: I love the integrated view. Being able to launch a Windows program from the System Dock on the Mac is wonderful. Instead of having to switch windows or spaces. It was easy enough to set up and get running.

Cons: The upgrade path is ridiculous! I understand the need for companies to make money, and offering FREE upgrades may not work for all products and all companies, but having to pay FULL-PRICE every year for the newest version just to stay compatible with the newest MacOS (which is free) is really hard on the budget.

This is a great product, but I had to drop it in lieu of an inferior solution, but that solution is free, so the pocketbook wins, unfortunately. Pros: I like it, that allows to have operative Windows knowledge features on a Mac, in this way generates a win - win in the organization that translates into profit Cons: What I like the least, is that it becomes heavy at the moment of wanting to update versions of windows, also generates a high impact in time for the technical support department since it is not an agile practice, it can be improved Overall: In the organization, it allowed us to use the best of Mac and the functionalities of windows since the business required it so. Pros: - Straight-forward to setup and and start using - Migration tools to virtualize existing Windows machines and use via Parallels on your Apple workstation - Over the years, Parallels graphic performance has improved greatly. Watching media or playing simple video games was all but hopeless a decode ago.

There have been steady improvements. Copy and Pasting files from host Apple OS into the Windows virtual machine is a great feature - Fileshares can be accessed from the Apple desktop and mounted into the Windows virtual machine Cons: - Parallels vendors push subscriptions of the software, as opposed to one-time purchase. Upgrades to latest and greatest are not always feature-rich, so the desire to upgrade may be undesirable for long-term users. Overall: A great way to bridge the operation system gap for productivity on an Apple workstation. Pros: I like the ease of use and integration of the Microsoft OS with the MAC OSX. This allows me to use my MS specific software from within my MAC OSX.

Cons: The only issue i have, and it's not so much an issue with Parallels itself; that when MS updates come out, they can cause issues with the VM, and it takes time to resolve. I think the Parallels should attempt to get the hot-fixes out faster. Overall: It allows me to use MS specific software on my MAC with out having to switch computers or two have to own two computers. Pros: Parallels allows a really smooth integration of a virtual machine on Mac. The folders belonging to Mac system are easily accessible from the virtual machine. The coherence mode is really impressive since allows the opening of applications of the virtual machine on the Mac as they were native Mac application. Another thing that I personally like is that the programs installed in the virtual machine are available in the open with menu on the Mac system.

Cons: Actually, I have no complaints about Parallels. This software exceeds my expectations of a virtual machine software Overall: I am an engineer student and all the time I am needing applications that are only developed for windows.

Parallels is my perfect ally to do my homework and projects. Pros: - Very fast virtual machine for Windows on the Mac - Very well integrations of Windows into the Mac. You can almost not realize that there is a Windows OS running as a virtual machine on your Mac. You can even copy and paste across Windows and Mac and can even access the Mac directories on your Windows virtual machine.

Can customize the amount of memory and CPU cores allocated to the virtual machine Cons: - These guys force a paid upgrade on you when you upgrade OSX. Luckily, I had also purchased VMWare Fusion sometime ago and was able to use that without any hitch even though it was a version older than the one they were selling at that time. Overall: Able to run Windows software on Mac. Pros: Parallels allows me to run a Windows Desktop on one screen while still having Mac OS running in my other screen. I love that it allows me to use PC software on my Mac without any issues.

It was really easy to setup with Windows 10. Much easier than other VM software I've used before. Cons: It can be pretty pricing getting it for a large team in a business, but it was still totally worth it. I wouldn't run any intense programs or games on here because it wouldn't perform as well running natively on PC. Pros: I like the most that it has itself the image of the windows, so i don't have to download anything extra apart from the app, I like that it's super fast and it almost feels like real boot not a virtual machine, and last i like the design! Cons: I don't like that when i downloaded it, it used to bug me out for buying the full version, and everytime i turn it on it has this big red text blocks saying that am on trial version, and its counting down how many days i got left, like the world is going to end.

Parallels Desktop 12 For Mac

Pros: I needed to be able to write on windows formatted Drives so I decided to use parallels desktop. I have found that it is easy to use and make things a lot easier because I don't have to have two computers anymore. I would recommend for anyone who is trying to get a virtual machine on their mac. Cons: Sometimes when I would try to switch the drives to windows or mac, it would have an error and I would have to do things like restart the computer. But don't let this decide.

I think it is a great app. Pros: This program is a great solution for running native Windows applications on an Apple computer without having to reboot MacOS into Windows. While there are cheaper options, Parallels is easier to set up and more user friendly. Cons: The cons of this software are the same for all virtual desktop applications. This includes the cost of purchasing a retail version of Microsoft Windows (unless one is running a Linux OS) and the challenge of running power hungry applications within the virtual desktop.

Pros: This software has come along way since it first came out in my opinion. When we originally tried it we walked away quickly. Since having a Mac Mini with the Boot Camp on it versus a Mac Mini with parallels we would choose parallels every time. The ability to swap in an out to access windows is much nicer. Not having to restart is such a timesaver.

This software has come along way since it first came out in my opinion. When we originally tried it we walked away quickly. Since having a Mac Mini with the Boot Camp on it versus a Mac Mini with parallels we won't use parallels every time. The ability to swap in an out to access windows is much nicer.

Not having to restart is such a timesaver Cons: It can be a bit sluggish if you do not have the resources available to run it. Generally we only use the window side for very simple things that require their OS. Other than that we do everything on the Mac side. Pros: Parallels provides a wonderful UI for using Windows on your Mac. The price is invaluable versus dual booting. The transition between Windows and Mac is seamless and Windows runs great. (Also, check Humble Bundles often for discounts on Parallels) Cons: I 100% recommend using Parallels and don't have a bad thing to say about it.

Go give it a try if you need to run Windows on your Mac! Overall: I was able to develop on and use Windows on Mac without need to dual boot or configure a bunch of things.