Parallels Desktop
Parallels Desktop is a virtualization software for Mac users to run Windows and Linux apps on OS X. Developers can use Parallels Desktop to test software and applications on multiple operating systems while using one machine. You can run both Apple and Windows apps on your Mac without affecting the speed and performance of your device. The software makes it possible to run apps from both operating systems at the same time, and you can choose to use the Windows desktop as your main screen if you are unfamiliar with the Mac OS. The newest version of the software allows you to use the new Mac Touch Bar to access and control Windows apps. Review: Parallels Desktop excels at closely integrating Windows and Mac apps in one virtual machine, without decreasing the speed and performance of your Mac. This allows you to make use of Windows apps that are not available on the Mac OS, and also gives you the opportunity to test applications on multiple platforms on one machine. Parallels Desktop has two modes that you can switch between depending on your needs. If you are looking to use a few Windows apps on your Mac OS, you can use the single app mode. If you want to test out an application on the Windows OS or use the Windows desktop as your main screen, you can use the Windows Desktop mode. Whichever mode you choose to use, the software ensures that the Windows and Mac systems integrate seamlessly. Besides Windows, Parallels Desktop can also run any other operating system, even those that are no longer supported by companies. Therefore, you can test out your software or application on an endless amount of operating systems without having to purchase extra hardware. Even with all of this integration, the performance of your Mac computer will not suffer as long as you have a fast disk and a large amount of memory. A lag in performance is only seen when running high-memory games. An added feature of the Parallels Desktop is the Parallels Toolbox which makes it faster and easier to perform certain tasks on your Mac. Some mini apps available on this toolbox are ones for ejecting volumes, downloading videos from any site, and hiding the desktop screen. This reasonably priced software offers Mac users seamless integration for running Windows apps and multiple operating systems on one machine.
- Run both Windows and Mac apps at the same time
- Easy to set-up and switch between Mac and Windows operating systems
- Provides TouchBar support for accessing and running Windows apps
- Parallels Toolbox contains over 30 one-click tools for running common Mac tasks
- Allows you to select the type of settings and performance you need for your virtual machine
- Easy to set up and use
- Runs multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux and Android
- Toolbox contains one-click functionality for many Mac tasks
- Speed and performance remains high even when running multiple apps and operating systems
- Allows you to schedule updates for the Windows system
- Uses the TouchBar to control Windows apps
- Only works with Mac OS X
- Toolbox creates another menu bar icon that can cause clutter on your screen
- Not much help and support for new users
Parallels Desktop excels at closely integrating Windows and Mac apps in one virtual machine, without decreasing the speed and performance of your Mac. This allows you to make use of Windows apps that are not available on the Mac OS, and also gives you the opportunity to test applications on multiple platforms on one machine. Parallels Desktop has two modes that you can switch between depending on your needs. If you are looking to use a few Windows apps on your Mac OS, you can use the single app mode. If you want to test out an application on the Windows OS or use the Windows desktop as your main screen, you can use the Windows Desktop mode. Whichever mode you choose to use, the software ensures that the Windows and Mac systems integrate seamlessly. Besides Windows, Parallels Desktop can also run any other operating system, even those that are no longer supported by companies. Therefore, you can test out your software or application on an endless amount of operating systems without having to purchase extra hardware. Even with all of this integration, the performance of your Mac computer will not suffer as long as you have a fast disk and a large amount of memory. A lag in performance is only seen when running high-memory games. An added feature of the Parallels Desktop is the Parallels Toolbox which makes it faster and easier to perform certain tasks on your Mac. Some mini apps available on this toolbox are ones for ejecting volumes, downloading videos from any site, and hiding the desktop screen. This reasonably priced software offers Mac users seamless integration for running Windows apps and multiple operating systems on one machine.
Alternatives to Parallels Desktop
VirtualBox
Deis
CrossOver
Snapz Pro X
ImageOptim
CodeKit
XtraFinder
TotalTerminal
Hazel
VMware Workstation Player
VMware Fusion
Boxes
Portable Virtualbox
VMware Workstation
