Parallels Desktop 17 brings Windows 11 to Apple Macs, including those with M1 Silicon

Parallels Desktop 17 is the latest version of the popular virtualisation software for Mac, allowing you to run Windows and Linux on a macOS installation. While Boot Camp allowed Macs to boot into other operating systems, Apple has not brought this feature to its M1 SoC. Hence, the latest iMac, Mac mini, MacBook Air and MacBook Pro cannot run Windows natively.

Thankfully, Parallels Desktop supports the Apple M1, making it possible to run Linux, Windows 10 and even Windows 11 in a virtual machine. Parallels Desktop 17 also includes a virtual TPM chip and supports Secure Boot, two of Microsoft's requirements for installing Windows 11. 

Additionally, Parallels Desktop is already capable of virtualising macOS 12 Monterey. However, Parallels claims that version 17 of its software offers significantly better performance than previous versions. Specifically, Windows, Linux and macOS virtual machines should operate up to 38% faster, with OpenGL graphics performance improving six-fold. Parallels Desktop 17 should render 2D graphics up to 25% faster in Windows, too.

Moreover, Parallels states that Apple M1 devices will run Windows 10 on ARM up to 33% faster and have access to almost a third better DirectX 11 graphics performance. You can find the full list of improvements in Parallels latest blog post. Currently, Parallels Desktop starts at US$79.99, or US$39.99 for students.

Purchase the Apple MacBook Pro 13 on Amazon