Alright, Windows enthusiasts, gadget lovers, and Mac's cross-platform aficionados—it's a big day in the world of virtualization, with news that rides the bittersweet spectrum of innovation. Parallels Desktop has taken a bold and much-requested step forward, offering support for x86 operating systems on Apple Silicon Macs via an "early technology preview." But wait—before we queue up the applause sparklers, let’s be very clear: this isn’t the kind of support to make you toss your Intel Macs out of the window just yet.
Still, beneath the patchwork of compromises and limitations, we may be looking at the foundations for something groundbreaking. So, let’s dive deep into what this development means, why it matters, and why you might want to play the long game rather than rushing to adopt.
Until now, virtualization software like Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion only supported Arm-compatible versions of operating systems (e.g., Windows 11 for ARM and certain Linux distros). Yet this left many professionals, developers, and tech tinkerers out in the cold. After all, many apps, workloads, or configurations demand x86 architecture support—whether it's legacy software or enterprise-grade tools optimized for Intel/AMD processors.
Enter Parallels' new "early technology preview" for x86 OS emulation on Apple Silicon.
This sluggish performance stems from the immense overhead of translating x86 machine code to Arm architecture. Unlike Rosetta's magic on apps, emulating entire systems takes significantly more resources, leaving the entire operation taxing and unwieldy.
But this development also signals hope. While Parallels is the first major player to dip its toes into x86 emulation on Apple Silicon, its work represents one of the few standing solutions for enterprise users or developers still dependent on legacy systems.
It also shines a spotlight on where Apple’s priorities lie—firmly on the Arm ecosystem. With macOS and its Virtualization Framework being Arm-only, users dependent on cross-architecture compatibility will likely be left relying on third-party heroes like Parallels for years to come.
For developers and enterprises dealing with legacy Intel-based software requirements? This could offer a cautious pathway forward while awaiting more optimized solutions or reconsidering migration strategies altogether.
Think of this as the rough sketch of a masterpiece yet to emerge. With time, resources, and perhaps a bigger leap in CPU emulation tech, what’s “really slow” today may pave the way for functional, seamless compatibility tomorrow.
What do you think? Will you try out Parallels' x86 emulation, or wait for a more polished effort? Join the conversation on the forum—after all, the future of macOS virtualization is as much our conversation as theirs.
Source: Ars Technica Parallels Desktop gains “really slow” support for x86 OSes on Apple Silicon
Still, beneath the patchwork of compromises and limitations, we may be looking at the foundations for something groundbreaking. So, let’s dive deep into what this development means, why it matters, and why you might want to play the long game rather than rushing to adopt.
The Problem Apple Silicon Users Faced
Apple's transition to its own custom Arm-based processors (M1, M2, and beyond) marked a seismic shift in performance, battery life, and platform optimization. However, this shift came with a serious caveat: traditional x86-based applications and operating systems (Windows and even Linux flavors) simply could not run natively on this silicon. While "Rosetta 2" makes Intel-based macOS apps run pretty smoothly via emulation, trying to fire up an entire x86 operating system on these chips? Nope—Apple’s own frameworks won't even attempt it.Until now, virtualization software like Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion only supported Arm-compatible versions of operating systems (e.g., Windows 11 for ARM and certain Linux distros). Yet this left many professionals, developers, and tech tinkerers out in the cold. After all, many apps, workloads, or configurations demand x86 architecture support—whether it's legacy software or enterprise-grade tools optimized for Intel/AMD processors.
Enter Parallels' new "early technology preview" for x86 OS emulation on Apple Silicon.
The Good News: x86 OSes Finally “Possible”
Here’s what Parallels Desktop Pro 20.2.0 brings to the table:- Support for x86 Operating Systems: You can now run x86 versions of operating systems such as Windows 10, Windows 11, and select UEFI-compatible Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu 22.04.5, Debian 12.4+). This is achieved through Parallels’ proprietary emulation engine.
- Migration from Intel Macs: Got virtual machines (VMs) lingering on your Intel-based Mac? Instead of discarding them, the new Parallels feature allows you to run these existing VMs on Apple Silicon! This will serve current Parallels users who have sizable VM collections.
- Backward Compatibility: Though many new features require Windows Server 2022 or Windows 10 21H2, there are workarounds for slightly older builds like Windows Server 2019. Similarly, select tested versions of Linux—including Ubuntu, Kubuntu, and Debian—are functional, albeit with the quirks covered below.
The Catch (Or Should We Say, Catches)
1. Performance: The Name Says It All—It’s Really Slow
x86 OS emulation on Apple Silicon Macs is, in its current state, glacial. Boot times for virtual machines can take anywhere from 2 to 7 minutes, and the responsiveness is, as politely phrased by Parallels, “low.” Multitasking? Forget about it. Running even one app at a time feels like dragging a cannon through molasses.This sluggish performance stems from the immense overhead of translating x86 machine code to Arm architecture. Unlike Rosetta's magic on apps, emulating entire systems takes significantly more resources, leaving the entire operation taxing and unwieldy.
2. Severe Hardware Limitations
The limitations to this approach go far beyond speed:- CPU and RAM Restrictions: You’re locked at a single virtual CPU core and 8GB of RAM.
- Resource Allocation Overhead: Assigning 4GB of RAM to an x86 virtual machine will require 8GB of your Mac’s memory.
- No USB Passthrough: External hardware support using USB is absent.
- No Audio Support: Sound features aren’t functional. Silent computing, anyone?
- No Nested Virtualization: This means you cannot run virtualized environments within your VM, affecting compatibility with developer tools like the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL).
3. Compatibility Issues
The new emulation layer has significant compatibility blocks around CPU instructions. Specifically, it doesn’t yet support critical Intel features like SSE4.2, an instruction set essential for numerous modern apps, games, and OS environments. This limitation outright prevents certain VMs—e.g., Windows 11 24H2 and similarly new software—from functioning.Broader Implications: One Small Step, One Giant Reminder of the Past
If you’re feeling déjà vu, you’re not alone. Running x86 operating systems on today's Apple M1 or M2 processors feels eerily reminiscent of the PowerPC era. Back then, Mac users relied on slow emulation products like Connectix Virtual PC to run Windows environments. The cycle of history repeats itself.But this development also signals hope. While Parallels is the first major player to dip its toes into x86 emulation on Apple Silicon, its work represents one of the few standing solutions for enterprise users or developers still dependent on legacy systems.
It also shines a spotlight on where Apple’s priorities lie—firmly on the Arm ecosystem. With macOS and its Virtualization Framework being Arm-only, users dependent on cross-architecture compatibility will likely be left relying on third-party heroes like Parallels for years to come.
Should You Consider Experimenting with This Feature?
For the average Windows-on-Mac user? Absolutely not—at least not yet. The slow performance, hardware constraints, and general lack of polish make this more a curiosity than a reliable tool.For developers and enterprises dealing with legacy Intel-based software requirements? This could offer a cautious pathway forward while awaiting more optimized solutions or reconsidering migration strategies altogether.
Closing Thoughts
Parallels’ early x86 OS support isn’t a game-changer today—don’t let hype sweep you away. What it represents, however, is a huge technical hurdle being chipped away at, one release at a time.Think of this as the rough sketch of a masterpiece yet to emerge. With time, resources, and perhaps a bigger leap in CPU emulation tech, what’s “really slow” today may pave the way for functional, seamless compatibility tomorrow.
What do you think? Will you try out Parallels' x86 emulation, or wait for a more polished effort? Join the conversation on the forum—after all, the future of macOS virtualization is as much our conversation as theirs.
Source: Ars Technica Parallels Desktop gains “really slow” support for x86 OSes on Apple Silicon
