Most people who use Mac computers are happy with macOS, and don’t need Windows. If this is your case, great! However, some of us Mac users benefit from being able to run the Windows operating system and applications alongside our native Mac applications.
And while there are plenty of ways to run Windows on a Mac – some free, some paid – there’s no doubt that the best way to do this is to use Parallels Desktop for Mac. And this powerful software has just received a huge update.
What’s new ? A lot of things.
Support for Touch ID, which allows you to log into Windows using your finger
The first new feature is welcome: support for Touch ID, which allows you to log into Windows using your finger. Existing users will either need to create a new account for this to work or convert their existing account to an MSA account.
Touch ID is integrated into Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac. Parallels/ZDNET
Another big improvement is printer support. Where I live – in the 21st century – I don’t really need printers. But if you use a printer, you’ll love this change. Previously, if you had a printer set up on your Mac, you had basic access to printer functions through the Parallels Desktop driver. With this new version, which uses Apple’s new Internet Printing Protocol (IPP), you have access to all printer functions.
Also new is a streamlined user interface. Initially, I feared it was a change for the sake of change, nothing more. But this is not the case. The change in user interface improves the software.
CentOS 9 Stream Support
Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac has also been optimized for macOS Sonoma. So you are ready for the next update. However, be aware that this update drops support for macOS Monterey 12.6 and earlier. But, if you are trying to install Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac on a macOS version which is not supported then you will have the option to install an older version of Parallels Desktop.
For the pros, a “Pro” version also exists. This release introduces a new option for Linux VMs on machines with Apple Silicon processors to use Rosetta to run x86-64 binaries, and Docker to run x86-64 containers in Arm-based Linux VMs. We also note the compatibility with the Packer tool to automate CI/CD workflows.
The new version also includes support for CentOS 9 Stream, and offers new Linux distributions, such as Ubuntu 22.04.2, Fedora 38 and Debian 12.
Need to run macOS virtual machines on Apple Silicon? No problem ! This release adds support for Mac hardware and multitouch gestures with the Trackpad.
Another feature, aimed at professionals who code, is a Visual Studio Code extension to manage virtual machines, create, group and use their snapshots and containers, from Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac.
Even running Windows games on a Mac is no problem. Parallels/ZDNET
I’ve been using Parallels Desktop for Mac since I switched to MacBooks and it has never disappointed or let me down. Parallels Desktop 19 for Mac is no different.
While there are plenty of ways to run Windows (and other operating systems) on a Mac, none come close to the Parallels Desktop for Mac experience. It’s everything I want it to be: fast and smooth, simple to use but with plenty of pro tools under the hood if I need them, and rock-solid stability.
If you need to run Windows on Mac, this is the solution.
The software is available as an annual subscription, starting at 99.99 euros per year for the Standard version, and 199.99 euros per year for the professional version.
Source: “ZDNet.com”