Parallels Desktop for Mac is a hardware emulation virtualization software, using hypervisor technology that works by mapping the host computer’s hardware resources directly to the virtual machine’s resources. Each virtual machine thus operates identically to a standalone computer. Parallels Desktop 14 is fully optimized for Windows 10, MacOS Sierra and ready for MacOS High Sierra. Built on the world’s best-selling, top-rated, most-trusted solution for running Windows applications on the Mac.
I debated for a very long period of time as to whether or not I would really want a Mac. I knew that after spending so many years on a PC it would be difficult to convert and I would have to be giving up certain programs and features I did enjoy from Windows. I had noticed so many programs coming out exclusively for Windows and it was a tough decision. After having my Mac for six months, a friend of mine mentioned a program I thought they only had on Windows and how he was running it on his Mac. He told me about Parallels and how it works. Naturally I got the product and couldn't be happier. I got a free version of Windows 7 for the Beta version off of Microsoft's website too.
The great thing about it is that it doesn't lag, and it can either be run exclusively as Windows would run on a PC, or can seemlessly integrate into your Mac OS. All the programs respond and react exactly like they would if they were on your mac. No start bar, no anything. This product is incredible and I would definitely reccomend it to anyone who owns a Mac.
It removes all limits from Mac. It seems the majority of the bad reviews on this product are from people upgrading from version 11 to 12. I installed Parallels Desktop 12 on my wife's new Macbook Pro - meaning a new install, not an upgrade - and am very happy with the results. That specifically includes speed and networking, two common upgrade complaints, as it's screaming fast and the networking is flawless. There are some nits, hence the 4-star rating. That includes a manual that's written largely from a PC/Windows point of view, for some odd reason.
(Just try finding that ALT key on your Mac.), and I'm not really thrilled about the way the mouse works in coherence mode. Finally, I don't like the company's approach to its rebates, which give a strong impression that they are going to try to find some way for you not to qualify. (They want the form AND the UPC AND the special sticker AND original receipts AND a form in the box. Blah blah blah. Oh, and in 30 days, max.).
I love having the virtual machine that runs windows b/c not everything runs on a mac so I needed the ability play games/programs that only were for PC. My mac computer wasn't fully my choice, there are so many times I wished I had a PC instead but now I can have both. I have learned to deal with having a mac so I tend to run that more then my virtual machine but I still love having the ability to use it for other programs that wont play/download on to my mac.
Only issue I had was it took up a lot of room on my computer but just getting an external hard drive was the savior, I put it on there and can plug it back in at anytime to use it. I also needed to back up my hard drive so that was the reason for buying the external hard drive so having the virtual machine being able to work on there fits in well. I am still working on learning the in's and out's but for my usage this is the perfect solution. The Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac - Instant License now also plays the games that 11 didn't so that was an upgrade and it runs just as fast as my mac does but has more capabilities to run a wide variety of programs. It is a great product and I would highly recommend it to others.