Performance of Windows 11 on Apple M4 Mac Mini via Parallels: A Comprehensive Benchmark Comparison

Running Windows 11 on an Apple M4 Mac Mini via Parallels Desktop may sound like a recipe for unexpected performance quirks—but our latest real-world test suggests there's more nuance to the story than meets the eye. In a head-to-head benchmark battle pitting a virtualized Mac Mini against native Windows machines like the Surface Laptop 7 (armed with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite) and the Asus Zenbook S 14 (powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 258V), several interesting patterns emerged.

A Closer Look at the Test Setup​

Before diving into the benchmarks, let’s get the basics straight. The test involved running Windows 11 in a Parallels VM on the base-level M4 Mac Mini. The configuration allocated 12GB of memory and 8 CPU cores. While this is the maximum recommended by Parallels, it’s clear that the virtualization layer adds some overhead. For context, the competing native systems—namely the Surface Laptop 7 and the Asus Zenbook S 14—boasted 32GB of RAM and naturally, access to all physical cores. Even a snapshot of these specs underscores the uphill battle any virtualized environment faces.
Key points from the setup include:

• Mac Mini running Windows 11 under Parallels with 8 cores and 12GB RAM.
• Comparisons made with native Windows devices featuring Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra 7 processors.
• Additional tests involved the Honor MagicBook Art 14, which shares processing similarities with the Surface Laptop 7.

This configuration makes it clear from the outset: virtualization isn’t a direct mirror to native performance, and benchmarks often reveal the hidden costs of the virtual machine environment.

Benchmark Breakdown: Geekbench 6 and Cinebench 2024​

Geekbench 6: CPU Performance Under Scrutiny​

Geekbench 6 is known for its lightweight yet telling measure of CPU performance during short bursts. The tests revealed:

• Multi-Core Performance: The Surface Laptop 7, equipped with the Snapdragon X Elite, took a commanding lead over the virtualized Mac Mini. This was hardly surprising given that the VM was running with fewer cores—and the virtualization overhead simply can’t be ignored.
• Single-Core Prowess: In a twist that might raise a few eyebrows, the single-core testing showed the Apple M4 leading the pack. This suggests that even within the confines of a VM, the M4’s architecture excels in single-threaded tasks.

When weighing against the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, the M4’s single-core performance keeps it in contention, highlighting that Apple’s chip designs continue to punch above their weight in specific scenarios.

Cinebench 2024: Endurance and Extended Load​

If Geekbench is the quick sprint, Cinebench 2024 is more of a marathon test to see how CPUs perform under a prolonged load:

• Sustained Multi-Core Testing: Once again, the Snapdragon X Elite shows its superiority in multi-core workloads by wide margins. The fact that virtualization inherently constrains the Mac Mini’s ability to fully utilize its potential is evident here.
• Single-Core Supremacy: Yet again, the M4 proves to be an outstanding performer in single-core operations—even when running through a virtualized environment.

The recurring trend throughout these tests is that while virtualization reduces the ability to leverage all cores optimally, the underlying power of the M4 shines through in tasks that rely heavily on raw single-threaded speed.

Graphics and Beyond: 3DMark Wild Life Extreme​

Virtualization brings its own set of headaches when it comes to graphics-intensive tasks. In this case, only one GPU-focused test managed to run—3DMark Wild Life Extreme—which provided some intriguing insights:

• Intel Takes the Lead: Even though the Mac Mini (with its M4 GPU) and the Snapdragon X Elite delivered nearly identical scores, the Intel-based system managed a slight edge. This could be attributed to better hardware acceleration and fewer overhead limitations under native Windows.
• Performance Parity Between Apple and Snapdragon: The near tie between the M4 and the Snapdragon X Elite in this test is compelling, suggesting that Apple’s integrated graphics are highly capable, even in a suboptimal virtual environment.

While the graphics tests were limited by virtualization quirks (with some tests causing the screen to go black), the data gathered provides a valuable glimpse into how different architectures handle graphical loads under these conditions.

Browser Performance: Speedometer 3.0​

Real-life usability isn’t just about raw CPU or GPU scores. With an eye on everyday tasks, the Speedometer 3.0 benchmark—designed to measure browser performance—was also tested:

• Performance Variability: Running Microsoft Edge (the latest version at the time) in the Windows 11 VM on the Mac Mini resulted in noticeably lower scores compared to both Snapdragon and Intel systems. This isn’t entirely unexpected: the additional layer of virtualization tends to exacerbate performance loss.
• Inconsistent Test Results: It’s worth noting that Speedometer 3.0 produced wildly varying scores over multiple runs. This variability makes it difficult to draw a definitive conclusion regarding the browsing experience for users in a virtualized environment.

This test underlines one of the perennial challenges with virtualization—real-world tasks, particularly those that are interactive and dynamic, can be heavily impacted by the underlying virtual layer. For day-to-day browser usage or multimedia tasks, native Windows hardware might simply offer a more stable experience.

The Virtualization Factor: What Do These Results Really Mean?​

At this point, a few questions naturally arise. Is it worth the extra steps to run Windows 11 on a Mac Mini? Can virtualization ever truly replicate a native experience?
The answer isn’t cut and dry. While it’s clear that running Windows in a VM on the Mac Mini introduces performance penalties, the tests indicate that the baseline hardware—the Apple M4—is unquestionably formidable. The standout single-core scores underscore that for tasks which don’t extensively leverage multi-threading, the M4 can shine even through the virtualization barrier.
Yet, the reality of regular use—as seen in browser tests and more demanding multi-core scenarios—suggests that native Windows PCs still hold the advantage. The virtualization layer simply adds enough overhead to dampen the raw performance benefits from an advanced architecture like Apple’s. For users expecting seamless performance across all applications, particularly those requiring consistent, multi-core throughput, a dedicated Windows device may be a wiser choice.

Looking Forward: The Future of Virtualized Windows and Windows on Arm​

Beyond the numbers, this comparison invites speculation on future developments. The Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite, for example, is only a first-generation product. There’s plenty of room for future iterations to close the gap with both Apple and Intel architectures. Improvements in native computing power, when combined with increasingly efficient virtualization software, could one day make running Windows on alternative hardware platforms more viable without compromise.
Moreover, as virtualization technology matures, we might see improvements in how different operating systems communicate with the underlying hardware—potentially reducing the overhead that currently bottlenecks performance in virtual machines. Until that opportunity arrives, running Windows on a Mac Mini via Parallels remains a niche application rather than a replacement for native Windows devices.

Final Thoughts​

This deep dive into Windows 11 performance on the M4 Mac Mini reveals several nuanced takeaways:

• For tasks reliant on single-core performance, the M4’s architecture is impressive—even through virtualization.
• In multi-core and sustained load scenarios, native Windows machines, especially those running on Snapdragon X Elite and Intel Core Ultra 7 platforms, have the upper hand.
• Virtualization introduces inherent challenges, particularly in graphics and real-world consistency, limiting the overall experience for Windows users.

Ultimately, the test is a thought-provoking exploration rather than a definitive verdict on hardware superiority. It highlights that while the Mac Mini has its charms and can surprisingly hold its own in some benchmarks, the inherent limitations of virtualization mean that native Windows hardware still retains clear advantages for most users.
Whether you’re a Windows enthusiast curious about cross-platform setups or a professional weighing your upgrade options, these insights offer a detailed look at the interplay between hardware prowess and the challenges of virtualized environments. As technology marches forward, the landscape of Windows 11 performance—whether on Arm, Intel, or under a VM—promises even more exciting innovations and head-to-head battles.
What stands out is the underlying message: while the tools and benchmarks give us a snapshot, real-world performance is about striking a balance between hardware capability and the software layer in between. For those considering a foray into Windows on a Mac Mini via Parallels, it’s worth remembering that while you might get a taste of Apple’s incredible engineering, you may also encounter compromises typical of a virtualized solution.
In the grand scheme of IT and computing, these tests remind us that every solution has its trade-offs. Enthusiasm for new technology is best tempered with a critical understanding of its limits and potential. And in that spirit, this detailed comparison serves as both a benchmark analysis and a compelling conversation starter among tech enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Happy computing, and always keep questioning what you see in the specs versus the experience!

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Source: XDA Developers We tested it: Here's how well Windows 11 performs on the Mac Mini