- Parallels Desktop 20.2 introduces x86 emulation on Apple Silicon
- It’s still an early technological example, but it could have huge implications
- Able to run with Linux and Windows 10, it can help Apple make further inroads into the enterprise markets
In 2020, Apple switched from Intel to its ARM-based Silicon, and since then running x86-based software on its hardware has been a challenge.
To help with this, Parallels, the virtual machine (VM) software for Mac users, has now released its latest version, Parallels Desktop 20.2, for public preview, finally bringing x86 emulation to Apple Silicon.
The launch means developers can run, develop and test 32-bit Windows apps in a native environment; especially useful for those working with legacy software that has yet to see ports to ARM-based systems.
A game changer?
By the company’s own admission, however, the new version is very much a preview; boot times for Windows VMs range from two to seven minutes, depending on the hardware.
Even after booting, system responsiveness lags and creating a new virtual machine can take a long time, up to 30 minutes for Windows and two hours for Linux.
Another major drawback is the lack of support for USB devices. This can be a problem for users who rely on external devices in their workflows, such as printers or scanners.
All virtual machines must run through Apple’s hypervisor, and Parallels’ own cannot be used, ruling out embedded virtualization.
Also, there is currently no audio in Intel-based VMs, and some Windows updates are not working correctly. The emulator also only supports 64-bit VMs, although 32-bit applications remain compatible with them.
The current limitations make it clear that this feature is not yet ready for mainstream use, but the potential is there and I hope that Parallels will address these issues so that it can once again become a powerful tool for business users and developers by using Macs in the Apple Silicon era.
