The sandboxed realms of Windows and Linux operating systems have long thrived on robust virtualization solutions. Among these is Parallels Desktop, a stalwart in the virtualization market for Mac users. Now, enthusiasts and developers alike, rejoice! Parallels Desktop has taken a monumental step, enabling 64-bit x86 Windows and Linux operating systems to operate on Apple Silicon Macs. This marks a massive leap in emulating the PC experience on ARM-based hardware, but—as with all great innovations—it comes wrapped in some compromises.
If you own an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or the newer M4), here's the big scoop you’ve been waiting for. Parallels Desktop 20.2 introduces early support for x86 emulation, opening the door for traditional PC operating systems to thrive on ARM-based Macs. Still, as you uncork the champagne, remember to temper your expectations because there are trade-offs that may deter heavy-duty users. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this feature, its technological underpinnings, limitations, and what it means for you.
The Parallels Desktop 20.2 update breaks down this architectural barrier using a proprietary emulation system. While earlier solutions like UTM (a QEMU-based emulator) existed for Apple Silicon, Parallels leverages Apple’s built-in hypervisor to streamline the virtualization experience. You’ll now be able to run legacy x86 operating systems on your sleek Apple Silicon machine, including Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server, and certain x86-compatible Linux distributions.
However, all this comes at a significant performance cost that casual users may find less than compelling. Developers may rejoice, but gamers? Probably not. When comparing deployment scenarios, the sluggish boot times and downgrades in system responsiveness mean emulated systems will serve as a Plan B, not a primary OS-viable option.
Stay tuned to WindowsForum.com for more in-depth analysis of tech breakthroughs that matter.
Source: How-To Geek Parallels Can Now Run x86 Windows and Linux on Apple Silicon Mac
If you own an Apple Silicon Mac (M1, M2, M3, or the newer M4), here's the big scoop you’ve been waiting for. Parallels Desktop 20.2 introduces early support for x86 emulation, opening the door for traditional PC operating systems to thrive on ARM-based Macs. Still, as you uncork the champagne, remember to temper your expectations because there are trade-offs that may deter heavy-duty users. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this feature, its technological underpinnings, limitations, and what it means for you.
Why x86 Support Is a Big Deal for Apple Silicon Macs
Initially, Mac users had no trouble running x86 operating systems because older Macs used Intel’s x86 architecture. This meant Windows and Linux virtualization with minimal performance hurdles. However, Apple’s transition to ARM-based Apple Silicon, starting with the M1 chip, posed a significant problem. ARM processors run fundamentally different instruction sets than x86 processors, meaning virtualization was relegated to ARM-based operating systems (e.g., Windows 11 on ARM or ARM-specific Linux distributions).The Parallels Desktop 20.2 update breaks down this architectural barrier using a proprietary emulation system. While earlier solutions like UTM (a QEMU-based emulator) existed for Apple Silicon, Parallels leverages Apple’s built-in hypervisor to streamline the virtualization experience. You’ll now be able to run legacy x86 operating systems on your sleek Apple Silicon machine, including Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server, and certain x86-compatible Linux distributions.
What Does the Magic?
Parallels taps into emulation—a method through which one system mimics another platform’s CPU—but with notable speed penalties. Here’s how it works:- Emulated environments decode x86 instructions and retranslate them into commands recognizable by ARM processors.
- The Parallels proprietary platform integrates this emulation technique while also piggybacking on Apple’s Hypervisor Framework, which manages virtualization directly from the macOS kernel.
The Power—and Pain—of Emulation
Running a fully different architecture like x86 on ARM is no simple task. Imagine reading a book in one language while mentally translating every word into a completely different tongue—it takes effort, latency creeps in, and the experience might not be instant. Here’s what you gain and lose with Parallels’ new x86-emulation capabilities.The Good
- Expand Cross-Platform Compatibility: If certain applications or use cases previously forced reliance on traditional PCs, this breakthrough makes those tools accessible to Mac users with Apple Silicon.
- Support for Legacy Software: Many users have longstanding use for 32-bit Windows apps or “x86 Linux-only” utilities, and now they can run in virtualization layers.
- Improved R&D Scope: Developers can build, debug, and test cross-platform software entirely on one machine—an ideal solution if your workflow requires mingling codebases.
The (Really) Bad
But before you get too giddy:- Performance Woes:
- x86 instructions must be translated into ARM instructions in real time. Translation takes time and computing resources, leading to sluggish operations. On Parallels’ own admission, running x86 Windows will stretch boot times between 2–7 minutes, with general usability feeling lethargic.
- Expect non-optimal performance—it’s an emulation zone, not a native highway.
- Limited to 64-bit Architectures:
- Only 64-bit operating systems are supported. For enthusiasts running ultra-light OSs like FreeDOS, this feature won’t be of much use. However, you can run older 32-bit applications within these 64-bit OSs.
- No USB Device Integration:
- USB device passthrough is a dealbreaker for projects that rely on external devices like USB storage or dongles.
- Nested Virtualization Unavailable:
- Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL2)—a crowd-favorite feature for developers—is disabled due to restrictions in Parallels’ emulator environment.
- General System Responsiveness:
- Reports suggest Windows responsiveness under this mode is “low.” Heavy multitasking? Forget about it.
How to Get Started
For those eager to test this feature out:- Update Parallels: Ensure you’re using Parallels Desktop 20.2 or higher.
- Enable x86 Emulation: This feature is not enabled out of the box. You’ll need to reference specific documentation as outlined by Parallels for enabling it in advanced settings.
- Trial UTM First?: If you’d rather avoid spending money on Parallels Desktop and first explore your options, UTM—a free, slower alternative—is worth trying. Just don’t expect the bells and whistles of Parallels’ polished UX.
A New Dawn in Virtualization, with Caveats
What does this development mean in the grander scheme of virtualization? For starters, it makes Apple Silicon more versatile—something critics flagged when Apple dropped x86 compatibility. As daily workflows or development relies increasingly on blending operating systems, running both ARM-optimized OSs and legacy systems will become vital.However, all this comes at a significant performance cost that casual users may find less than compelling. Developers may rejoice, but gamers? Probably not. When comparing deployment scenarios, the sluggish boot times and downgrades in system responsiveness mean emulated systems will serve as a Plan B, not a primary OS-viable option.
Is Emulation the Future?
While Parallels’ latest move brings us closer to dissolving the x86/ARM divide, it raises larger questions about the virtualization industry. When does emulation actually make sense versus native support? Apple’s dominance over proprietary silicon (and its performance gains) are well-documented, but x86 is far from obsolete, especially in enterprise contexts. This development further bridges the gap while underscoring where ARM-based architecture still has growing pains.Comments? Let’s Discuss!
What do you think about Parallels Desktop's foray into x86 emulation? Is this a killer feature that laptop professionals have desperately needed, or just another compromise? Let us know your workflow challenges and successes in the comment thread below! Engage, debate, and share—after all, it's a brave new multi-OS world out there.Stay tuned to WindowsForum.com for more in-depth analysis of tech breakthroughs that matter.
Source: How-To Geek Parallels Can Now Run x86 Windows and Linux on Apple Silicon Mac
