Parallels Desktop 15 Switches to Apple's Metal Graphics API, Gains Sidecar, Keychain, and Drag and Drop Support

[MacRumors]

Parallels today announced version 15 of its desktop virtualization software for Mac, offering DirectX 11 support via Apple Metal, native support for Sidecar in macOS Catalina, and several other enhancements.

Parallels Desktop 15 is the first iteration of the cross-platform software to support DirectX 11 using Apple's hardware accelerated Metal graphics API.

The switch to Metal should bring a noticeable performance boost - Parallels claims 3D graphics rendering is up to 15 percent faster, while Microsoft Office apps should launch up to 80 percent faster.

The enhanced graphics support also expands the number of Windows apps that users can run on their Mac, such as Autodesk 3ds Max 2020, Lumion, ArcGIS Pro, and Master Series.

Gamers meanwhile can look forward to running their favorite titles at faster speeds, with the likes of FIFA 19, Age of Empires Definitive Edition, Fallout 4, Madden NFL 19, Crysis 3, and Mark of the Ninja: Remastered all receiving special mention.

Once macOS Catalina launches in the fall, Parallels' Sidecar support will mean users can wirelessly connect their iPad to their Mac to use as a second display in Windows. There's also new Touch Bar options for Apple Pencil, including Toggle between Pen, Eraser and Mouse modes. Parallels says support for additional Catalina features is currently in development and will be introduced around the release of macOS 10.15.

Notably, the virtualization software is offering better integration with macOS more generally, such as the ability to use screenshot previews in Windows applications and the ability to drag images from Safari, Photos, and other stock Mac apps.

Additionally, Parallels Desktop 15 supports a new category of Bluetooth devices, enabling users to connect an Xbox One Controller, Logitech Craft keyboard, IRISPen, some IoT devices (such as smart home appliances and smart bands) and more. There's also support for Bluetooth Low Energy, making it possible to run an Xbox game in a Windows 10 virtual machine.

Elsewhere, there's now support for the Share menu in Finder, so it's possible to send files from macOS using a Windows email application, and there's now Keychain support, offering quicker login to websites and apps within Windows. A more comprehensive list of changes and improvements in Parallels Desktop 15 is available here.

Parallels Desktop 15 requires macOS Mojave or later to run, and can be purchased for a one-off fee of $99.99, with the more feature-laden Pro and Business editions available at $99 per year.

Users with older versions of Parallels Desktop (including Pro and Business Editions) can upgrade for $49.99, while college students in the United States, Canada, Germany and UK have access to the reduced price Student Edition. A 14-day trial of the virtualization suite is also available.

Article Link: Parallels Desktop 15 Switches to Apple's Metal Graphics API, Gains Sidecar, Keychain, and Drag and Drop Support

 

[satcomer]

I will hold my praise until I see it tested! Silicon Valley lies are really get on my nerves!

 

[Skeith]

DX 11. Finally.

 

[TheralSadurns]

New year... new Parallels version.

 

[MrGimper]

New year... new Parallels version.

No different to most software really

 

[kissmo]

I had Paralles subscription.
It’s nice but for personL use is overpriced.
Support is terrible especially if u plan to use linux.

Most of the features are Windows only oriented and this os where it lags behind others.
With Linux their support for newer kernels is a nightmare.

 

[4jasontv]

Does anyone here know what “support for business cloud services” means? It’s only in the pro edition, which isn’t available with the education discount.

 

[radus]

Does metal-support mean, that osx-guests are with accelerated graphics now ?

 

[Kabeyun]

I had Paralles subscription.
It’s nice but for personL use is overpriced.
Support is terrible especially if u plan to use linux.

Most of the features are Windows only oriented and this os where it lags behind others.

Agreed. VMWare ftw.

 

[nitramluap]

New year... new Parallels version.

Yeah, after a few years this really started to annoy me. They’d release a new version but fail to fix critical bugs in the existing version (which was otherwise fine)... and then force you to upgrade.

After the upgrade you then discover that the same bug hasn’t been fixed, rendering the entire VM unbootable and unfixable... again.

Just use Bootcamp and avoid this third party, second rate rubbish. Better yet, find ways to ditch Windows entirely.

 

[nathan_reilly]

this software is awesome, I've been using lls 11 since it was announced and it lets me run solidworks on my mac without rebooting...can't complain DX11 tempts me for sure.

 

[PickUrPoison]

Yeah, after a few years this really started to annoy me. They’d release a new version but fail to fix critical bugs in the existing version (which was otherwise fine)... and then force you to upgrade.

After the upgrade you then discover that the same bug hasn’t been fixed, rendering the entire VM unbootable and unfixable... again.

Just use Bootcamp and avoid this third party, second rate rubbish. Better yet, find ways to ditch Windows entirely.

I was right with you until that last paragraph. Needing to run Windows VMs is a thing, for better or worse; I agree with @Kabeyun, VMware is my preferred solution as well.

 

[MrGimper]

Agreed. VMWare ftw.

Unfortunately, GFX-wise, Parallels wipes the floor with VMware Fusion. I use ESXI, vSphere, Workstation etc, but Fusion is just slower than Parallels.

 

[MacRS4]

I find Parallels to be a fantastic product for desktop virtualisation - certainly compared to Fusion 11. I find Fusion 11 to be slow and buggy in comparison. I still use it however for server stuff, as it's so easy to shift stuff to ESX.

Running Parallels 15 now...can't say I notice much difference tbh.

 

[satcomer]

Does metal-support mean, that osx-guests are with accelerated graphics now ?

It means they are using X-Code and modern Apple integration!

 

[sracer]

Yeah, after a few years this really started to annoy me. They’d release a new version but fail to fix critical bugs in the existing version (which was otherwise fine)... and then force you to upgrade.

After the upgrade you then discover that the same bug hasn’t been fixed, rendering the entire VM unbootable and unfixable... again.

Just use Bootcamp and avoid this third party, second rate rubbish. Better yet, find ways to ditch Windows entirely.

That mirrors my experiences with Parallels as well. Bootcamp is the option of last resort for me. I prefer to use Wineskin Winery to put Windows apps in a WINE wrapper and have them run seamlessly alongside native mac OS apps.

When that isn't possible, then use Virtualbox.

 

[[AUT] Thomas]

In times of eGPUs it's a joke that there's no PCIe pass-through so that the external GPU can be DIRECTLY accessed by the virtual machine.
In Windows it's the same issue, but already implemented at least partly.

Ah, and I forgot: Their "PRO" edition is available only as subscription for "only" 100$ per year...
Thanks but no thanks...

 

[RightMACatU]

So this means a VMWare update is just around the corner.

 

[MrGimper]

So this means a VMWare update is just around the corner.

I've not seen a Fusion Technology Preview for this year, which is unusual.....

 

[Loge]

Standard edition is still limited to 8GB RAM per VM which is overdue for an update.

 

[Stephen.R]

I've installed the update, and badda bing badda boom, Parallels won't launch. Suggested (they already have a support article for this) solutions are: restart; uninstall+restart+reinstall; reinstall macOS.

 

[thimplicity]

Does someone know whether I could buy Parallels for home use (one-time $80) or do i HAVE to buy the business edition ($100/year) if I want to use it for business purposes.

 

[Jeaz]

Does someone know whether I could buy Parallels for home use (one-time $80) or do i HAVE to buy the business edition ($100/year) if I want to use it for business purposes.

It's actually called Standard, Pro or Business Edition. If you are just one user, go for standard or pro depending on your needs. BE is mostly about volume licensing and administration.

 

[Sasparilla]

I've installed the update, and badda bing badda boom, Parallels won't launch. Suggested (they already have a support article for this) solutions are: restart; uninstall+restart+reinstall; reinstall macOS.

OMG, sorry man, that sounds awful. Well won't be upgrading for the time being...

What Mac OS version you running? (just to have that covered)

 

[ilikewhey]

finally it can run crysis