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has1

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 14, 2022
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Hi,

What is the best virtualisation software to run arm based virtual machines like linux?
 
Parallels Desktop 17. There's a free trial, otherwise it costs $75 I believe. I've tried it out, and it runs very fast. The other one that I use personally is called UTM. The nice thing about UTM is that it uses QEMU as a back end, so you can emulate different processors. You can even install old (10.5 and below) versions of macOS in UTM. In BOTH software programs, you can also install Monterey (and above) with full graphics acceleration (sort of).

The one problem with UTM is that it sometimes (depending on what you're doing) runs slower than Parallels. Parallels also has graphics acceleration (with the exception of Monterey and above), while UTM does not.
 
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I like Parallels and have used it for years. Have not tried anything else on my M1 Max because it just works. I have Windows 11 ARM running and it is super fast and I love being able to run my Windows 11 VM in coherence mode, so the Windows apps look like a Mac app and I am not switching between 2 different desktop GUI's
 
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I like Parallels and have used it for years. Have not tried anything else on my M1 Max because it just works. I have Windows 11 ARM running and it is super fast and I love being able to run my Windows 11 VM in coherence mode, so the Windows apps look like a Mac app and I am not switching between 2 different desktop GUI's
Hi is there any chance to keep the Windows 11 ARM as a permanent build - and not insider build.
My key complaint is that insider builds expire if not updated.
 
Hi is there any chance to keep the Windows 11 ARM as a permanent build - and not insider build.
My key complaint is that insider builds expire if not updated.
Not sure, mine is registered with my enterprise reg key, so it is fully registered.
 
Parallels for sure! I tried UTM but it has quite a few quirks with the Linux distros I have been testing. Currently using Parallels for the next couple of years it seems!
 
Many people showing love for Parallels, but not Fusion. Any specific reason? Curious here.
I prefer Fusion over parallels on my Intel Mac, but not having a product other than a "preview" for AS kind of tells the story.
 
Hi,

What is the best virtualisation software to run arm based virtual machines like linux?
Do you want to run a full desktop Linux with GUI or a console-only Linux server for web development etc?

For the former, you probably want to go with all the people here recommending Parallels. For the latter, UTM should get the job done for free (it will run desktop Linux but not very smoothly) - or, if you specifically want Ubuntu Server - (love it or hate it, it's everywhere) check out Ubuntu Multipass.
 
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