Parallels Desktop for Mac installs drivers for a variety of hardware and support becomes more extensive as time goes on. However, not every device on the planet is supported. If you require complete hardware compatibility, you might be better served running Windows via Boot Camp. How can I uninstall Windows and Parallels? Parallels Desktop for Mac is the first solution that gives Apple users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X.
Parallels Toolbox Review
Parallels Toolbox is a collection of easy to use system utilities with very little configuration available, ideal for less confident users seeking more value from their PC.
Parallels Toolbox is a collection of over 30 system utilities designed to make using and maintaining your PC easier than ever before. If you have ever felt that Windows might be missing certain features like a duplicate file finder or a screen recording tool (I certainly have) then Parallels Toolbox has you covered!
Other useful tools included in the 'toolbox' are an image resizer, a web cam privacy blocker, a video downloader, a sound downloader (for podcasts) plus many other small apps which can help add value to a typical PC. It is also reassuring to see that all of the tools come from Parallels, a reputable name in the software world!
It is worth noting that a lot of the smaller tools included in this collection can probably be obtained for free else ware so the real value here, as far as I can see, is having everything bundled together along with some genuinely useful media tools. As such, given I don't want to review all 30+ tools individually I am gong to focus on the more media orientated tools in this review, the ones which are much harder to find for free else ware.
So, let's get going with Parallels Toolbox!
Key Features of Parallels Toolbox
- Well designed software with an easy to access interface
- Over 30 useful Windows media tools and system utilities
- Easy to use screen recording and snapshot tools
- Includes simple PC cleaning tools
- Available for Mac OS and Windows
- Great for people who are less confident using a PC
- Perhaps a little too simplistic for more advanced PC users
- Priced at $19.99/Year
Parallels Toolbox Usability
Installing Parallels Toolbox
Installing Parallels Toolbox is quick and simple, there is a free 7 day trial version available which can be downloaded initially and upgraded to the full licence later on should you so wish.
Once installed the toolbox will open up on the right side of the screen, this looks a little strange at first but I found I soon got use to having all of the tools grouped together in this easy to access panel:
The panel will disappear when you click away form it and is activated via a small icon found in the system tray next time you need to access it.
Parallels Toolbox Video Capture Tools
One of the most valuable tools missing from a standard Windows install (in my opinion at least) is that of a screen recording tool, so it is great to see that this functionality is covered in the toolbox as standard.
As can be seen above the recording tool can (like all of the tools) be opened via the toolbox interface, the settings panel for the tool can also be opened by clicking on the small cog icon which appears above the main icon at the time of hovering over it:
Once in the settings panel we are presented with a few options such as highlighting mouse clicks, specifying the resolution to record in and where to save any completed clips. We can also specify which audio input to use which is especially useful if you have both a webcam and an external microphone connected and don't want to delve into the Windows audio settings each time you make a recording.
With the settings configured using the screen recorder is really simple, the screen will be highlighted blue in the moments prior to the recording and the recording itself activated by clicking anywhere on the screen. Once running the recording can be stopped by clicking on the stop button found on the control bar which appears at the bottom of the screen.
This primary screen recording tool is complimented by 2 additional recording tools, one to record a specified area of the screen (selected by the user) and another to record a specific window (e.g. a web browser). Interestingly these are all included as individual mini-tools rather than one screen recording tool covering the three different modes within.
Parallels Toolbox Downloading Tools
The Toolbox provides two individual utilities for downloading media directly form the internet, these tools allow downloading video (from sites such as YouTube) and also audio which is great for downloading podcasts and the like.
As with the video capture tools these downloaders are fairly simple and straightforward with little configuration needed to get going, with regards to the video downloader this means simply selecting the video quality and the location to save the file in.
To download a video simply copy the webpage URL containing the video and paste this into the main screen of the app, this will start the process.
Downloading audio works in much the same way, it is interesting to note however there are no options to reduce the quality of the audio being downloaded meaning you might need another tool to further reduce the file size of your audio download afterwards?
Parallels Toolbox Cleaning and System Utility Tools
There are quite a few tools in the Parallels Toolbox which fall into this category, but I am only going to pick a few of the more interesting tools here to look at. The first tool been the 'Clean Drive' tool which (as you might expect) is a system cleaning tool!
Just like some of the other tools I have looked at so far this tool is fairly basic and focused only on its intended job of cleaning your system. In many ways I like this very clean and simple approach as many users who are less confident using a PC would otherwise probably not run any cleaning software at all which would be much worse for system health over the long run.
There aren't any real settings to speak of in the Drive Clean tool so I ran this with the default settings on my test PC to test it out, I then immediately ran CCleaner to provide an analysis of what is left to clean:
Not a bad result, especially when you consider that this tool puts an emphasis on ease of use and that my CCleaner is configured to do a very deep clean of the system. Looking into this result further is is clear the only things it has really missed are the temporary system files so all-in-all not a bad result from a very easy to use tool!
Moving on to the archiving tools I can see that Parallels have again split the process of creating and uncompressing archives into two individual tools, the 'Archive' and 'Unarchive' tools.
Again, when initially looking into the settings for the archiving tool things are kept very simple with the option only to configure a password for the new archive and nothing else, if you need to set a specific archive format or compression level then his tool might not be suitable.
Once an archive has been created the unarchive tool can be used to uncompress the archive, although this tool is probably only needed if you set a password as modern versions of Windows can work freely with zip archives to begin with.
Another useful utility is the photo resizing tool, this tool allows an image file to be selected and then quickly and easily resized to specified dimensions and (if necessary) exported into another file format (e.g. a PNG to a JPEG file).
Again, as with all of the tools I have looked at prior the resizer has very few options other than setting the new dimensions (and optionally fixing the aspect ratio), selecting the location to save the new file to and the format to save the image in. This is great for some quick resizing work but not suitable for anything involving selecting certain areas of a photo, adjusting contrast levels etc.
Finally, one little tool which might actually be quite helpful for those who spend far too long at their PC is the break timer tool!
There is not to much to this one, it simply times a specific interval and then alerts the PC user to take a break. On some levels this is very basic but then again it is also very important to take regular breaks when using a PC over long periods of time, as such this little tool isn't without its merits!
Parallels Toolbox Security
There is little security functionality within Parallels Toolbox, there is an app to lock the screen although I don't think this is really adding anything given a PC can easily be locked by pressing Windows key and 'L' to begin with. The Archiving tool also allows for an archive to be password protected, although it makes no mention of the type of encryption performed (and it doesn't encrypt filenames, only the file content, so beware).
Parallels Desktop for Mac installs drivers for a variety of hardware and support becomes more extensive as time goes on. However, not every device on the planet is supported. If you require complete hardware compatibility, you might be better served running Windows via Boot Camp. How can I uninstall Windows and Parallels? Parallels Desktop for Mac is the first solution that gives Apple users the ability to run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their critical applications at the same time as Mac OS X.
Parallels Toolbox Review
Parallels Toolbox is a collection of easy to use system utilities with very little configuration available, ideal for less confident users seeking more value from their PC.
Parallels Toolbox is a collection of over 30 system utilities designed to make using and maintaining your PC easier than ever before. If you have ever felt that Windows might be missing certain features like a duplicate file finder or a screen recording tool (I certainly have) then Parallels Toolbox has you covered!
Other useful tools included in the 'toolbox' are an image resizer, a web cam privacy blocker, a video downloader, a sound downloader (for podcasts) plus many other small apps which can help add value to a typical PC. It is also reassuring to see that all of the tools come from Parallels, a reputable name in the software world!
It is worth noting that a lot of the smaller tools included in this collection can probably be obtained for free else ware so the real value here, as far as I can see, is having everything bundled together along with some genuinely useful media tools. As such, given I don't want to review all 30+ tools individually I am gong to focus on the more media orientated tools in this review, the ones which are much harder to find for free else ware.
So, let's get going with Parallels Toolbox!
Key Features of Parallels Toolbox
- Well designed software with an easy to access interface
- Over 30 useful Windows media tools and system utilities
- Easy to use screen recording and snapshot tools
- Includes simple PC cleaning tools
- Available for Mac OS and Windows
- Great for people who are less confident using a PC
- Perhaps a little too simplistic for more advanced PC users
- Priced at $19.99/Year
Parallels Toolbox Usability
Installing Parallels Toolbox
Installing Parallels Toolbox is quick and simple, there is a free 7 day trial version available which can be downloaded initially and upgraded to the full licence later on should you so wish.
Once installed the toolbox will open up on the right side of the screen, this looks a little strange at first but I found I soon got use to having all of the tools grouped together in this easy to access panel:
The panel will disappear when you click away form it and is activated via a small icon found in the system tray next time you need to access it.
Parallels Toolbox Video Capture Tools
One of the most valuable tools missing from a standard Windows install (in my opinion at least) is that of a screen recording tool, so it is great to see that this functionality is covered in the toolbox as standard.
As can be seen above the recording tool can (like all of the tools) be opened via the toolbox interface, the settings panel for the tool can also be opened by clicking on the small cog icon which appears above the main icon at the time of hovering over it:
Once in the settings panel we are presented with a few options such as highlighting mouse clicks, specifying the resolution to record in and where to save any completed clips. We can also specify which audio input to use which is especially useful if you have both a webcam and an external microphone connected and don't want to delve into the Windows audio settings each time you make a recording.
With the settings configured using the screen recorder is really simple, the screen will be highlighted blue in the moments prior to the recording and the recording itself activated by clicking anywhere on the screen. Once running the recording can be stopped by clicking on the stop button found on the control bar which appears at the bottom of the screen.
This primary screen recording tool is complimented by 2 additional recording tools, one to record a specified area of the screen (selected by the user) and another to record a specific window (e.g. a web browser). Interestingly these are all included as individual mini-tools rather than one screen recording tool covering the three different modes within.
Parallels Toolbox Downloading Tools
The Toolbox provides two individual utilities for downloading media directly form the internet, these tools allow downloading video (from sites such as YouTube) and also audio which is great for downloading podcasts and the like.
As with the video capture tools these downloaders are fairly simple and straightforward with little configuration needed to get going, with regards to the video downloader this means simply selecting the video quality and the location to save the file in.
To download a video simply copy the webpage URL containing the video and paste this into the main screen of the app, this will start the process.
Downloading audio works in much the same way, it is interesting to note however there are no options to reduce the quality of the audio being downloaded meaning you might need another tool to further reduce the file size of your audio download afterwards?
Parallels Toolbox Cleaning and System Utility Tools
There are quite a few tools in the Parallels Toolbox which fall into this category, but I am only going to pick a few of the more interesting tools here to look at. The first tool been the 'Clean Drive' tool which (as you might expect) is a system cleaning tool!
Just like some of the other tools I have looked at so far this tool is fairly basic and focused only on its intended job of cleaning your system. In many ways I like this very clean and simple approach as many users who are less confident using a PC would otherwise probably not run any cleaning software at all which would be much worse for system health over the long run.
There aren't any real settings to speak of in the Drive Clean tool so I ran this with the default settings on my test PC to test it out, I then immediately ran CCleaner to provide an analysis of what is left to clean:
Not a bad result, especially when you consider that this tool puts an emphasis on ease of use and that my CCleaner is configured to do a very deep clean of the system. Looking into this result further is is clear the only things it has really missed are the temporary system files so all-in-all not a bad result from a very easy to use tool!
Moving on to the archiving tools I can see that Parallels have again split the process of creating and uncompressing archives into two individual tools, the 'Archive' and 'Unarchive' tools.
Again, when initially looking into the settings for the archiving tool things are kept very simple with the option only to configure a password for the new archive and nothing else, if you need to set a specific archive format or compression level then his tool might not be suitable.
Once an archive has been created the unarchive tool can be used to uncompress the archive, although this tool is probably only needed if you set a password as modern versions of Windows can work freely with zip archives to begin with.
Another useful utility is the photo resizing tool, this tool allows an image file to be selected and then quickly and easily resized to specified dimensions and (if necessary) exported into another file format (e.g. a PNG to a JPEG file).
Again, as with all of the tools I have looked at prior the resizer has very few options other than setting the new dimensions (and optionally fixing the aspect ratio), selecting the location to save the new file to and the format to save the image in. This is great for some quick resizing work but not suitable for anything involving selecting certain areas of a photo, adjusting contrast levels etc.
Finally, one little tool which might actually be quite helpful for those who spend far too long at their PC is the break timer tool!
There is not to much to this one, it simply times a specific interval and then alerts the PC user to take a break. On some levels this is very basic but then again it is also very important to take regular breaks when using a PC over long periods of time, as such this little tool isn't without its merits!
Parallels Toolbox Security
There is little security functionality within Parallels Toolbox, there is an app to lock the screen although I don't think this is really adding anything given a PC can easily be locked by pressing Windows key and 'L' to begin with. The Archiving tool also allows for an archive to be password protected, although it makes no mention of the type of encryption performed (and it doesn't encrypt filenames, only the file content, so beware).
Parallels Support
Should you ever get stuck then Parallels do have a good knowledge base which answers many of the questions you might first have about the software. Providing your subscription is active Parallels additionally allow access to their community support portal for additional help.
Parallels Toolbox Pricing
Parallels Toolbox is priced at $19.99 per year. a 7-day free trial is available from the Parallels website.
Summary
Parallels Toolbox
All of the tools in the Parallels Toolbox are well designed and work well despite it being very clear there are hardly any configuration options available throughout the entire suite. This makes the application great for more casual PC users who are looking for tools which 'just work' but not ideal for more tech savvy users who like to configure and optimise everything (like myself).
If you are a more casual user or maybe shopping for tools for someone who is less confident on a PC then I would definitely recommend looking into this suite of tools further. Whilst the tools are basic they will still undoubtedly help open up the usefulness of what a PC has to offer far beyond what a basic Windows installation will provide.
One element of this application I didn't like is the subscription pricing model, at $19.99 per year it is hardly expensive but in my personal opinion a subscription pricing model is the wrong approach for such a tool. I don't have anything against subscriptions when a service such as cloud storage is provided (for example) but simply for keeping the software up to date I think it is a bit unnecessary. I think it would be much better to price this as a one-off purchase and let users decide if and when they might like to upgrade to a newer version when the time comes.
In conclusion, the Parallels Toolbox is a nice suite of useful tools which ideal for more casual PC users wanting to get more from their PC. It is let down a little by the pricing model in my opinion but overall the value is still reasonable and it is overall a good choice for many.
5 out of 5
Responsive integrated Windows experience
4.5 out of 5
One-time payment starting $79.99
5 out of 5
Runs like a Mac app (absolutely intuitive)
4.5 out of 5
Multiple ways to contact support
Quick Summary
Parallels Desktop lets you run Windows apps on your Mac. That can be very handy if you rely on certain Windows apps for your business, or have switched to Mac and can't find alternatives for everything you need.
Is it worth it? If you have Mac apps for everything you need you won't need Parallels, and if you need just a few non-critical Windows apps a free alternative may meet your needs. But if you rely on Windows apps to get your work done, you'll need the premium Windows performance that Parallels Desktop provides.
What I Like
- Windows is very responsive
- Pauses when not in use to save resources
- Coherence mode lets you run Windows apps like Mac apps
- Also run Linux, Android and more
What Is Windows Parallel For Mac
- My mouse became unresponsive once
- macOS and Linux are less responsive than Windows
Parallels Desktop for Mac
Quick Navigation
// Why Trust Me?
// Parallels Desktop FAQs
// Parallels Desktop Review: What's in It for You?
// Reasons Behind My Reviews and Ratings
// Alternatives to Parallels Desktop
// Conclusion
Why Trust Me?
My name is Adrian Try. After using Microsoft Windows for over a decade, I made a deliberate move away from the operating system in 2003. I enjoyed the change, but still needed certain Windows apps on a regular basis. So I found myself using a combination of dual boot, virtualization (using VMware and VirtualBox) and Wine. See the Alternatives section of this Parallels Desktop review.
I hadn't tried Parallels before. I was provided a review license and installed an earlier version on my iMac. For the last week, I've been putting it through its paces, installing Windows 10 (purchased just for this review) and several other operating systems, and trying just about every feature in the program.
The new version was released last night, so I immediately upgraded. This review reflects my use of both versions and all of the screenshots are from version 13.
In this Parallels review, I'll share what I like and dislike about Parallels Desktop. The content in the quick summary box above serves as a short version of my findings and conclusions. Read on for the details!
Parallels Desktop FAQs
What is Parallels Desktop?
It's an app that allows you to run Windows apps on your Mac. It does this by allowing you to install Windows on a virtual machine — a computer emulated in software. Your virtual computer is assigned a portion of the RAM, processor and disk space of your real computer, so it will be slower and have fewer resources.
Other operating systems will also run on Parallels Desktop, including Linux, Android, and macOS — even older versions of macOS and OS X (El Capitan or earlier).
What's New in Parallels Desktop 15?
Parallels has added a number of new features to version 15. According to the release notes from Parallels, those include 30+ new features such as macOS Catalina support, full Apple Pencil support in Sidecar, screenshot preview to Windows, and more.
Is Parallels Desktop Safe?
Yes, it is. I ran and installed the app on my iMac and scanned it for viruses. Parallels Desktop doesn't contain any virus or malicious processes.
Be aware that when you install Windows in Parallels, you become vulnerable to Windows viruses (on the virtual machine and the files it can access), so make sure you protect yourself. A trial version of Kaspersky Internet Security is included, or install your security software of choice.
During my use of the app, my mouse froze once when switching between Windows and Mac. This required a reboot to fix. Your mileage may vary.
Is Parallels Desktop Free?
No, it isn't freeware though a full-featured 14-day trial is available. There are three versions of the app to consider.
- Parallels Desktop for Mac ($79.99 for students): Designed for home or student use.
- Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition ($99.99/year): Designed for developers and power users who need the best performance.
- Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition ($99.99/year): Designed for IT departments, it includes centralized administration and volume licensing.
- You'll also have to pay for Microsoft Windows and your Windows applications if you don't already own them.
How to Install Parallels Desktop for Mac?
Here is an overview of the full process of getting the app up and running:
- Download and install Parallels Desktop for Mac.
- You'll be asked to choose an operating for your new virtual machine. To install Windows, you have three choices: purchase it online, install it from a US stick, or transfer it from a PC. Enter the Windows product key when prompted.
- Windows will be installed along with some Parallels tools. This will take some time.
- Your new Windows desktop will be displayed. Install any Windows application software you need.
Parallels Desktop Review: What's in It for You?
Since Parallels Desktop is all about running Windows apps (and more) on your Mac, I'm going to list all its features by putting them into the following five sections. In each subsection, I'll first explore what the app offers and then share my personal take.
1. Turn Your Mac Into Several Computers with Virtualization
Parallels Desktop is virtualization software — it emulates a new computer in software. On that virtual computer you can run any operating system you like, including Windows, and any software that runs on that operating system. That's very convenient if you need non-Mac software.
A virtual machine will run slower than your real computer, but Parallels has worked hard to optimize performance. But why run a slower virtual machine when you can install Windows on your actual computer using Bootcamp? Because having to restart your machine to change operating systems is slow, inconvenient, and incredibly frustrating. Virtualization is an excellent alternative.
My personal take: Virtualization technology provides a convenient way of accessing non-Mac software while using macOS. If you need regular access to Windows apps, Parallel's implementation is superb.
2. Run Windows on Your Mac Without Rebooting
You may need to run Windows on your Mac for a variety of reasons. Here are some examples:
- Developers can test their software on Windows and other operating systems
- Web developers can test their websites on a variety of Windows browsers
- Writers can create documentation and reviews about Windows software.
Parallels provides the virtual machine, you need to supply Microsoft Windows. There are three options:
- Purchase it directly from Microsoft and download it.
- Purchase it from a store and install from a USB stick.
- Transfer Windows from your PC or Bootcamp.
Transferring a previously-installed version of Windows is the least-recommended option, as it can lead to licensing issues or driver problems. Baixar rar para windows 7. In my case, I purchased a shrink-wrapped version of Windows 10 Home (with USB an enclosed USB stick) from a store. The price was the same as downloading from Microsoft: $179 Aussie dollars.
I started up Parallels Desktop, inserted my USB stick, and Windows was installed without fuss.
Once installed, Windows feels snappy and responsive. Moving from Windows to Mac and back again is fast and seamless. I'll explain how that's done in the next section.
My personal take: For those needing access to Windows while using macOS, Parallels Desktop is a godsend. They have obviously worked hard to optimize their software for Windows, as it is incredibly responsive.
3. Switch Conveniently between Mac and Windows
How easy is switching between Mac and Windows using Parallels Desktop? You don't even notice it. By default it runs inside a window like this.
When my mouse is outside of that window, it is the black Mac mouse cursor. Once it moves inside the window, it becomes the white Windows mouse cursor automatically and instantly.
For some uses that can feel a little cramped. Pressing the green Maximize button will make Windows run full screen. The screen resolution adjusts automatically. You can switch to and from Windows using a four-finger swipe.
Very fast, very easy, very intuitive. Switching between Mac and Windows couldn't be easier. Here's another bonus. For convenience, I found myself leaving Windows open even when I wasn't using it. When not in use, Parallels pauses the virtual machine to reduce the load on your computer.
Once your mouse enters the Windows environment again, Windows is up and running again within about three seconds.
My personal take: Whether running Windows full-screen or in a window, switching to it is simple and seamless. It's no harder than switching to a native Mac app.
4. Use Windows Apps alongside Mac Apps
When I first moved away from Windows, I found myself still relying on a few key apps. You might be the same:
- You switched to Mac, but still have a number of Windows apps you rely on — perhaps the Windows versions of Word and Excel, the Xbox Streaming app, or a Windows-only game.
- You may still absolutely depend on a legacy app that no longer works on modern operating systems.
It's surprising how reliant businesses can become on out-of-date software that is no longer updated or supported. Parallels Desktop provides a Coherence Mode which lets you work with Windows apps without dealing with the Windows interface. David Ludlow sums it up: 'Coherence turns your Windows apps into Mac ones.'
Coherence Mode hides the Windows interface altogether. You launch the Start Menu by clicking the Windows 10 icon on your dock.
You can search for and run the Windows Paint program from Spotlight.
Paint runs right on your Mac desktop, no Windows in sight.
And the Mac's right-click Open With menu even lists Windows apps.
My personal take: Parallels Desktop allows you to use Windows apps almost as if they were Mac apps. You can start the apps from your Mac's Dock, Spotlight, or a context menu.
5. Run Other Operating Systems on Your Mac
The convenience of Parallels Desktop doesn't stop with Windows. You can run a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Android and macOS. Why would someone want to do that? Here are some examples:
- A developer working on an app that runs on multiple platforms can use virtual computers to run Windows, Linux and Android to test the software on.
- Mac developers can run older versions of macOS and OS X to test compatibility.
- A Linux enthusiast can run and compare multiple distros at once.
You can install macOS from your recovery partition or a disk image. You can also install older versions of OS X if you still have the installation DVDs or disk images. I chose to install macOS from my recovery partition.
I found macOS significantly less responsive than Windows — I assume Parallel's main priority is Windows performance. It was definitely usable, though.
Installing Linux is similar. You can either choose to have Parallels Desktop download a number of Linux distros (including Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, Debian and Linux Mint), or install from a disk image.
Like macOS, Linux seems less responsive than Windows. Once you have a few operating systems installed, the Parallels Desktop Control Panel is a handy way to start and stop them.
My personal take: Parallels Desktop can run macOS or Linux on a virtual machine, though not with the same speed as Windows, or with as many integration features. But the software is stable and usable all the same.
Reasons Behind My Reviews and Ratings
Effectiveness: 5/5
Parallels Desktop does exactly what it promises: it runs Windows apps alongside my Mac apps. Running Windows in a virtual machine was convenient and responsive, and allowed me to access Windows apps that I rely on. Windows paused when not in use, so unnecessary resources were not being wasted.
Price: 4.5/5
Although there are free virtualization options, $79.99 is a reasonable price to pay for the amount of work Parallels have put into optimizing performance and integration.
Ease of Use: 5/5
I found launching Windows and switching between Mac and Windows absolutely intuitive. The integrated approach of displaying Windows software in Spotlight searches, context menus and the Dock is brilliant.
Support: 4.5/5
Free support is available via Twitter, chat, Skype, phone (Click-to-Call) and email for the first 30 days after registering. Email support is available for up to two years from the product release date, though you can purchase phone support when required for $19.95. A comprehensive knowledge base, FAQ, Getting Started guide and User's Guide are available.
Alternatives to Parallels Desktop
VMware Fusion 8.5: VMware Fusion ($79.99) is Parallel Desktop's closest competitor, and is a little slower and more technical. A major upgrade is about to be released.
Veertu Desktop: Veertu (free, $39.95 for premium) is a lightweight alternative. It's almost as quick as Parallels, but has fewer features.
VirtualBox: VirtualBox is Oracle's free and open source alternative. Not as polished or responsive as Parallels Desktop, it's a good alternative when performance is not at a premium.
Boot Camp: Boot Camp comes installed with macOS, and allows you to run Windows alongside macOS in a dual-boot setup — to switch you need to restart your computer. That's less convenient, but has performance benefits.
Wine: Wine is a way of running Windows apps on your Mac without needing Windows at all. It can't run all Windows apps, and many require significant configuration. It's a free (open source) solution that just might work for you.
CrossOver Mac: CodeWeavers CrossOver ($59.95) is a commercial version of Wine that is easier to use and configure.
Conclusion
Parallels Desktop runs Windows and other operating systems in a virtual machine alongside your Mac apps. It's a good option for those who still rely on certain Windows apps for their business, or gamers who can't live without a favorite Windows game. It's also a great solution for developers who need to test their apps or websites on other platforms.
If you've found native Mac apps that meet all of your needs, you don't need Parallels Desktop. If you need to run just a handful of non-critical Windows apps, one of the free virtualization alternatives may be all you need. But if you're looking for best performance, Parallels Desktop is your best option. I highly recommend it.
