Parallels on M1 MacBook Air: Boosting Performance and Energy Efficiency

When Apple announced its transition from Intel-based processors to its own Apple Silicon chipsets, it marked a significant shift in the world of computing. One of the most popular virtualization software programs, Parallels Desktop, has taken notice of this change and is working on a new version that supports Apple's M1 chipset.

According to Parallels' developers, their new version of Parallels Desktop, which runs on Macs with the Apple M1 chip, has made tremendous progress since WWDC. In fact, the software delivers up to 60 percent better DirectX 11 performance compared to an Intel-based MacBook Pro with a Radeon Pro 555X GPU. This is a significant improvement that will benefit gamers and those who rely heavily on graphics-intensive applications.

Another notable advantage of Parallels Desktop 16.5 running on an M1 Mac is its energy efficiency. The software uses up to 2.5 times less energy compared to the same program running on a 2020 Intel-based MacBook Air computer. This reduction in power consumption means that users can enjoy improved performance without sacrificing battery life.

However, there are some limitations to consider. Rosetta 2, the translation software released by Apple to help developers transition to its new chipsets, does not work with Virtual Machine apps that virtualize x86_64 platforms. As a result, tools like Boot Camp and Parallels will not function on Macs with the M1 chipset.

Despite these limitations, it's clear that Parallels is committed to supporting Apple's new architecture. The company has announced plans to develop a new version of their software that will support the M1 chipset, making it possible for users to run Windows apps on macOS.

While there is no word yet on when this new version will be released, it's good news for those who rely heavily on Parallels. Until then, current users of the software will need to continue using the Intel-based version or wait for the M1-supported release.

Overall, Parallels' efforts to support Apple's M1 chipset are promising and could lead to improved performance and energy efficiency for Mac users. As more information becomes available about this new development, we'll be sure to keep you updated.

Parallels on m1 macbook air