Parallels 13 is an excellent piece of software, but the utility of the software for most users is debatable. Parallels targets a set of power users that need frequent access to both operating systems.
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- Parallels Desktop for Mac is desktop virtualization software that allows users to run a guest operating system, such as Windows, Linux or Chrome OS, on a Mac. It also allows for two OSes to run simultaneously, and users can swap between them.
- Each mac technically needs a new license of parallels to work. Now you can put the VM on a network drive and as long as only one of you opens it at a time you could 'share' it that way. IE each instance of parallels on your two computers would be trying to look at the VMs stored in the network share.
- Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows 30+ tools in a lightweight, powerful, all-in-one application for Mac ® and PC. Easy to use and economical—a whole suite of tools for a fraction of the cost of individual apps, packaged in one simple interface.
Tracking and managing all of your IT and non-IT assets just got easier. Device42 software enables organizations to discover, visualize, and understand their infrastructure and its inter-dependencies, all from a single central dashboard. Track complete asset life-cycles, software licenses, service contracts, SSL certificates, renewal reminders, and more. Generate mobile-friendly barcodes & QR codes, and don't forget about powerful reporting, a full audit trail, and an extensive RESTful API!
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Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac
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The latest edition of Parallels Desktop is not only ready for macOS High Sierra, but already supports the forthcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update as well. Apple and Microsoft have settled into annual update schedules for macOS and Windows, which means you can expect virtualization software dependent upon both platforms to arrive around the same time.
Parallels Desktop 13: Touch Bar wizard
If you own a MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac is a must-have upgrade. That’s because key features of Windows 10 will now appear on the Touch Bar while a VM is running, a feature that works straight away for the Start Menu, Cortana, Desktop, File Explorer, and popular web browsers like Edge, Chrome, and Firefox.
Microsoft Office 2016 applications are also imbued with Touch Bar capabilities, offering multiple command sets depending upon what you’re doing in the app. But what about the thousands of other available Windows 10 apps? Most of them are supported too, but some assembly is required.
Located under the View menu, Touch Bar Wizard allows Parallels users to customize which Windows commands are displayed for the current application, just like they already do on macOS—in fact, Parallels uses the exact same pop-up configuration panel. It does take a little time to set up and some buttons won’t work in certain Windows apps, but this is otherwise a slick addition for MacBook Pro owners.
Parallels Desktop 13: PiP your VMs
Parallels Desktop 13 does an admirable job of adopting PC-only features on the Mac. This time around it’s People Bar, a new feature in the forthcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update which consolidates favorite contact information into the Taskbar. PD13 cleverly delivers these favorites to the macOS Dock instead, but is currently limited to the stock Windows Mail app. (The latest Windows Insider build is also required for now.)
PD13 also taps into the picture-in-picture support introduced in macOS Sierra, allowing one or more VM windows to collapse into a small floating view. This allows users to monitor activity and works even when a video is playing; PiP windows are semi-translucent by default, but you can adjust to fully opaque using a slider in settings.
It wouldn’t be a new version without a few enhancements to existing features. Retina Display owners—nearly half of all Parallels Desktop users—will see improvements in scaled resolutions, while resizing VM windows is now much smoother. The update also delivers up to 47 percent faster performance when running Windows on the Mac, up to 50 percent faster Snapshot creation, and near-native read/write speeds from external Thunderbolt SSDs. Last but not least, PD13 has a refreshed icon and look—I was mildly disappointed to see the company abandon the dark Control Center theme, however.
The timing is good for those lamenting Apple’s decision to retire creaky old pro video apps like Final Cut Pro 7. Since these 32-bit apps no longer run in High Sierra, I was able to create a new macOS 10.12.6 Sierra VM from my Recovery Partition in just a few clicks using PD13’s Installation Assistant so I can quickly access older projects should the need arise.
Bottom line
Full support for macOS High Sierra and the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update would be good enough reasons to upgrade, but conveniences like Touch Bar for Windows apps and picture-in-picture support keep Parallels Desktop 13 atop the Mac virtualization throne for another year.
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Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac
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- macOS High Sierra and Windows 10 Fall Creators Update preview support
- Touch Bar support for Windows 10 apps
- Picture-in-picture, improved performance
Cons
- Some Touch Bar buttons don’t work in Windows 10
- No dark theme in Control Center
- People Bar currently only works with Microsoft Mail