Parallels Desktop 16.5 with Apple Silicon Support

Beta testing is complete and Parallels has released an update to its virtualization software. Version 16.5 of Parallels Desktop now supports Mac with M1 processors and future Apple processors.

The provider promises 250 percent lower power consumption and 30 percent more performance for virtual Windows machines on the Apple Silicon Max. DirectX 11 should also deliver 60 percent more performance than before.

The only problem is that users on the Apple Silicon Max can only use virtual machines with operating systems for ARM-based processors. Fortunately, it also includes Windows 10 for ARM.

Install Windows 10 for ARM in parallel

We have already released a guide on how to install Windows 10 on Apple Silicon Mac. Conversely, you no longer need to download the beta version of Parallels, but you can use the purchased version.

In addition to the subscription model, the Parallels desktop also has a purchase version with an annual fee (. 79.99) and currently a fee of. 99.99.

Additionally, you still need to download the free beta version of Microsoft Windows 10 for ARM. Because it is not finally ready yet. Performance under Parallels Desktop should be further enhanced once Microsoft adjusts its operating system.

100,000 testers with M1 Max

Parallels saysMore than 100,000 users have tried the preview version of “Technology Preview”.

This year the provider hopes that Magos Big Sur will be able to run even within a virtual machine. Other virtualized operating systems on the Mac with Apple Silicon are currently Ubuntu 20.04, Kali Linux 2021.1, Debian 10.7 and Fedora Workspace 33-1.2.