Parallels Confirms MacBook Neo Can Run Windows in a Virtual Machine

[MacRumors]

Parallels Desktop virtualization software is compatible with the new MacBook Neo, according to an update from the company – but Windows VM performance will depend on your intended use case.

From Parallels' updated knowledge base article:

Parallels Desktop runs on MacBook Neo in basic usability testing. The Parallels Engineering team has completed initial testing and confirmed that Parallels Desktop installs and virtual machines operate stably on MacBook Neo. Full validation and performance testing is ongoing, and additional compatibility statement will follow if required.

When Apple launched the $599 MacBook Neo this week, some asked whether its A18 Pro chip – which first debuted in the iPhone 16 Pro – would be capable of running Windows via Parallels Desktop. Fortunately, the A18 Pro is based on the same ARM architecture as Apple's M-series chips, which are made specifically for Macs, so the processor isn't an issue.

What could be an issue is what you intend to do inside the virtual machine. The MacBook Neo comes with 8GB of RAM (Apple doesn't offer a memory upgrade option) and a Windows 11 VM requires a minimum of 4GB of RAM to function, which leaves only 4GB for macOS and Mac apps simultaneously.

Parallels states the context plainly: "For light, occasional Windows use, like a legacy business tool, or a Windows-only utility, MacBook Neo may provide an acceptable experience. For CPU- or GPU-intensive Windows applications, this computer is not the right choice."

The "right choice" comes down to personal preference, but for those looking for a new machine, the next step up would be Apple's $1,099 MacBook Air with M5 chip, which comes with a minimum of 16GB RAM, with memory upgrade options available. Or for a cheaper option, refurbished base M4 MacBook Air models also come with 16GB RAM as standard.

Article Link: Parallels Confirms MacBook Neo Can Run Windows in a Virtual Machine

 

[rollingrock33]

Can you. Yes. Should you. No.

 

[Manatlt]

Why do this?
Windows will run slow as hell...

 

[Lwii2boo]

Even 16 GB RAM is kind of low if you intend to use a VM. It's cool it works but please don't buy a Neo with 8GB RAM to run windows.

 

[boswald]

Why would you buy a Mac to run Windows? Gaming? Some kind of enterprise requirement? I just don't get it.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Can you. Yes. Should you. No.

I agree but, this is MR and we both know that it will be done and then complained about.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

The target audience would likely use web apps anyway.

 

[SpanishAppleNerd]

If only Parallels changed its model to a user-based license..... urgh

 

[abcmax]

Can you imagine running Windows on iPad?

 

[stiligFox]

Why would you buy a Mac to run Windows? Gaming? Some kind of enterprise requirement? I just don't get it.

I have some software that I can use to diagnose my car that is windows only. It’s very lightweight and would be nifty to have Windows in a VM and not have to carry around a dedicated Windows laptop

 

[wonderings]

It would be an ARM Version of Windows 11, but you are not limited to just Windows, there are version of Linux you can install as well. I think anyone who really needs this is probably not the target market for a Neo but still the more it can do the better. Parallels has come a long way over the years and runs really well as a virtual machine. I would not use it for gaming. I have Windows 11 on my MacBook Pro as I used to need some software that was Windows only. I don't need it anymore so at some point will probably remove Windows. Though having it does allow me to do some problem solving every now and then when something weird is going on.

 

[Pezimak]

Why would you buy a Mac to run Windows? Gaming? Some kind of enterprise requirement? I just don't get it.

Well when they had Intel chips Macs were co spidered the BEST Windows laptops on the market.

 

[Pezimak]

Can you imagine running Windows on iPad?

People have already done that. Well with XP or 98, still for them running lol.

 

[MrGimper]

Can you imagine running Windows on iPad?

On my M4 iPad, yes.

 

[svish]

Not surprised especially when previous versions of MacBook Air with 8 GB could run it.

 

[MrGimper]

Remember VMware Fusion still exists, and is free.....

 

[kotaKat]

I've been using UTM since day 1 with a ~3GB Win11 VM trimmed down with no issues for my back-and-forth occasional Windows workloads. It's Fine.

As a bonus, I don't get ******** subscription nagware prompts out of my free software.

 

[PBG4 Dude]

Why would you buy a Mac to run Windows? Gaming? Some kind of enterprise requirement? I just don't get it.

When I was in college, I needed to run windows in Connectix’ Virtual PC for one application, SPIM (MIPS emulator). It ran slow as hell, but it ran and allowed me to complete my projects.

For everything else, OS X and apps provided what I needed (access to commercial apps like MS Office as well as UNIX CLI tools like gcc and make).

 

[n-evo]

Why wouldn’t it?

 

[boswald]

When I was in college, I needed to run windows in Connectix’ Virtual PC for one application, SPIM (MIPS emulator). It ran slow as hell, but it ran and allowed me to complete my projects.

For everything else, OS X and apps provided what I needed (access to commercial apps like MS Office as well as UNIX CLI tools like gcc and make).

Man, that would drive me nuts. You have a lot more patience than me, that's for sure!

 

[jlc1978]

Why would you buy a Mac to run Windows? Gaming? Some kind of enterprise requirement? I just don't get it.

I've used Parallels/Fusion over the years (as well as older products for pre-Intel Macs and MS-Dos on an Apple][ via a PCTransporter) as an occasional tool for times when I needed Windows, never as a substitute for a Windows machine for frequent use.

In my case, I use it to test compatibility between files created on the Mac in Office to ensure no weird changes occur before sending them to clients; as well as run the desktop version of PowerBI. I also test websites in EDGe and Chrome on Windows for to see if tehy work properly. It's useful, to me, to have a VM for those occasional uses.

I don't play games so any performance limitations with winARM have not impacted my use case. The pre-Intel products were more of a "wow, it can do that" vs "I don't need a Windows box." The PCTransporter let me run a VT100 emulator to connect to work at a whopping 2400baud. Fun times.

 

[ZiBart]

Why would you buy a Mac to run Windows? Gaming? Some kind of enterprise requirement? I just don't get it.

Excel. Power users still don't get all the advanced features that Windows version has. But the Neo is not it for that.

 

[AustinIllini]

Why would you buy a Mac to run Windows? Gaming? Some kind of enterprise requirement? I just don't get it.

You answered your own questions.

At $600, this is one of the best windows laptops on the market.

 

[Ghost31]

Can you. Yes. Should you. No.

Should someone make a video and show us? Yes

As long as we’re asking and answering our own questions

 

[ELman]

Why do this?
Windows will run slow as hell...

Windows on ARM runs quite fast as a VM on a Mac. Much faster than Windows x86.