Big Sur-ready Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac launched
Parallels, a global provider of cross-platform solutions, has launched Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac. The new flagship release has a refreshed design consistent with the new macOS Big Sur look; better graphics performance; and the best Windows-on-Mac experience ever.
“Parallels invested more than 25 man-years of engineer programming to take full advantage of the new macOS Big Sur architecture and revamped kernel extensions to deliver our best Windows-on-Mac performance ever for our Parallels Desktop 16 customers,” said Nick Dobrovolskiy, Parallels Senior VP of Engineering and Support.
“The innovative new features in Parallels Desktop 16 include the world’s first support for Metal applications with 3D capabilities running in a macOS Big Sur virtual machine on a macOS Big Sur host. Performance improvements include launching twice as fast*, up to 20% faster Windows resume and shutdown*, faster DirectX and more.”
Parallels has been working on the Windows-on-Mac experience for over 14 years. The company launched the world’s first virtualisation software for Mac that runs Windows on Mac without rebooting in 2006; Coherence Mode, which provides the option of running Windows invisibly in the background while using Windows apps in their macOS environment with native Mac gestures in 2007; seamless integration of Dropbox, iCloud and OneDrive cloud services in 2015; and support for DirectX 11, 10 and 9 on Apple Metal in 2019.
In 2020, Parallels Desktop 16 reinvented itself for macOS Big Sur. It uses native Mac virtualisation without loading any deprecated kernel extensions. Kurt Schmucker, Senior Product Manager, Parallels, said that the feature that has taken the company "the most engineering work" is supporting Big Sur.
- Up to 20% faster DirectX 11 and improved OpenGL 3 graphics in Windows and Linux.
Other feature highlights include:
Improved battery life
Up to 10% longer battery life when Windows runs in Travel Mode.
Disk space reclaimed automatically
Virtual machines (VMs) can be set to automatically return unused disk space when shutting down.
New multitouch gestures for Windows apps
Smooth zooms and rotates on the trackpad with multitouch gestures in Windows apps.
Enhanced printing
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac Pro Edition
More than 50 useful and time-saving features are included in the Pro Edition. New and key Pro Edition features include:
CPUs and RAM
Assign up to 32 vCPUs and 128 GB vRAM for each VM.
Microsoft Visual Studio plugin
Visual Studio integration simplifies testing applications across operating systems.
Create and name custom networks (new)
Name custom networks for more organised and productive testing.
Nested virtualisation
Run and test Microsoft Hyper-V-based virtual machines in a Parallels Desktop virtual machine.
Command line
Rich command line interface (prlctl and prlsrvctl) allows for flexible work automation.
Vagrant, Docker, and Jenkins plugins
Complimentary Vagrant, Docker and Jenkins plugins/providers for developers.
Linked clones
Make a new VM from a snapshot of the existing VM. The linked clone occupies a fraction of disk space that is used by the parent VM, as it reuses disk sectors that are the same for both VMs.
Archive a VM in Control Center
Pro users tend to have many virtual machines which occupy a lot of disk space. In-place archive right from Parallels Desktop Control Center, with the ability to manage the configuration of an archived VM.
Prepare for transfers (new)
Export a VM in a compressed format as a solid file for easier and faster upload and transfer to new hardware.
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac Business Edition
New Parallels Desktop 16 Business Edition features, which are in addition to all Pro Edition features, include:
Corporate VM provisioning
Easily configure VMs with preinstalled applications to upload, and to host for employees to securely download and run on their Mac devices.
Upgrade control
Centralised administration provides flexible controls to manage access to new Parallels Desktop updates, new feature releases, upgrades and new macOS releases.
Passwordless update
Administrator credentials are no longer required for Parallels Desktop updates, making it easier for IT and users to keep it current even when users are not admins on their Mac devices.
Easy installation on macOS Big Sur
Parallels Desktop installation on macOS Big Sur does not require approvals of system extensions, so installation is fast and seamless. It does not require rebooting the Mac.
Additionally, Parallels Desktop 16 subscribers receive complimentary concurrent subscriptions to Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows, as well as to Parallels Access.
Parallels Toolbox 4 for Mac and Windows Parallels Toolbox
Parallels Toolbox 4 for Mac and Windows Parallels Toolbox, which are included with Parallels Desktop subscriptions, are suites of over 30 timesaving utilities for both PC and Mac users. These one-click tools simplify managing the health of a computer, adding productivity.
The most popular Parallels Toolbox one-click tools for macOS and Windows include: Download Video, Presentation Mode, Hide Desktop Files, Energy Saver, Clean Drive, Unarchive, and Capture Area. New Parallels Toolbox 4 features include Show Desktop for Mac, Unit Converter for Mac, Close Apps for Windows and Unit Converter for Windows.
Parallels Access 6
Parallels Access 6, which is also included with Parallels Desktop subscriptions, enables users to remotely access up to five PC or Mac computers from iPad, iPhone and Android devices using familiar native touch gestures.
New features in version 6 include:
Personal help
Assist anyone who asks for help in fixing their PC or Mac issues without having to be in front of their computer. Simply generate and share a Personal Help link for them, enabling them to install a preconfigured copy of Parallels Access free of charge. This provides the user with access to their computer so issues can be resolvedfrom anywhere.
There is Bluetooth support for mice and trackpads in iPadOS 13.4 or later for remote sessions, including gestures. When a mouse or trackpad is detected, the cursor transforms into a native cursor depending on the content available on the screen—such as a pointer, I-beam or arrows—for an improved user experience.
Android support for OneDrive and Google Drive storage
This feature offers improved file sharing efficiency.
Edge-to-edge rendering and gestural navigation
Parallels, a business unit of Corel, has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Parallels offers cross-platform solutions that make it possible and simple for businesses and individuals to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers take advantage of the best technology out there, whether it’s Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or the cloud.
Details:
All editions of Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac (Standard Edition, Pro Edition and Business Edition) are available for purchase either directly from Parallels online or from retail and online stores worldwide. Big Sur is currently in beta; when it is launched, Parallels will issue an updated version of Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac as required.
Current Parallels Desktop for Mac customers (any edition) can get upgrade pricing for Parallels Desktop 16 online.
New customers can download free full-featured 14-day trials and purchase online.
Parallels Desktop subscriptions include complimentary concurrent subscriptions to Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows and Parallels Access, which are also separately available to all PC and Mac users as standalone products for free trials and subscriptions.
The Installation Assistant in Parallels Desktop makes it simple to install Windows 10 on a Mac, and does not require users to purchase Windows beforehand. If users decide to keep using Windows, they can purchase a product key from Microsoft thereafter.
Recommended retail prices (RRP):
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac
• Upgrade from any edition to a perpetual license – US$49.99
• New subscription – US$79.99 per year
• New perpetual license – US$99.99
Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition
• Upgrade from any edition – US$49.99 per year
• New subscription – US$99.99 per year
Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition
• US$99.99 per year
Explore:
Watch the What's New video
*Performance measurements, conducted by Parallels engineers, compared results from running a prerelease version of Parallels Desktop 16 to results from running a released version of Parallels Desktop 15. Performance will vary based on Mac hardware configuration, usage, system configuration and other factors.
 |
| Major new features in Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac. |
“Parallels invested more than 25 man-years of engineer programming to take full advantage of the new macOS Big Sur architecture and revamped kernel extensions to deliver our best Windows-on-Mac performance ever for our Parallels Desktop 16 customers,” said Nick Dobrovolskiy, Parallels Senior VP of Engineering and Support.
“The innovative new features in Parallels Desktop 16 include the world’s first support for Metal applications with 3D capabilities running in a macOS Big Sur virtual machine on a macOS Big Sur host. Performance improvements include launching twice as fast*, up to 20% faster Windows resume and shutdown*, faster DirectX and more.”
Parallels has been working on the Windows-on-Mac experience for over 14 years. The company launched the world’s first virtualisation software for Mac that runs Windows on Mac without rebooting in 2006; Coherence Mode, which provides the option of running Windows invisibly in the background while using Windows apps in their macOS environment with native Mac gestures in 2007; seamless integration of Dropbox, iCloud and OneDrive cloud services in 2015; and support for DirectX 11, 10 and 9 on Apple Metal in 2019.
In 2020, Parallels Desktop 16 reinvented itself for macOS Big Sur. It uses native Mac virtualisation without loading any deprecated kernel extensions. Kurt Schmucker, Senior Product Manager, Parallels, said that the feature that has taken the company "the most engineering work" is supporting Big Sur.
“It was really low-level work requiring our most senior engineers,” he said.
“The one feature that everybody wants is on Parallels Desktop is
performance,” he added. The new performance improvements for Parallels Desktop include:
- Launching twice as fast
- A 20% faster Windows resume from a suspended state
- Reverting to snapshots
is up to 30% faster
- Up to 20% faster DirectX 11 and improved OpenGL 3 graphics in Windows and Linux.
Other feature highlights include:
Improved battery life
Up to 10% longer battery life when Windows runs in Travel Mode.
Disk space reclaimed automatically
Virtual machines (VMs) can be set to automatically return unused disk space when shutting down.
New multitouch gestures for Windows apps
Smooth zooms and rotates on the trackpad with multitouch gestures in Windows apps.
Enhanced printing
Print on both sides and use more paper sizes, from A0 to envelope formats. “The only requirement on the user is to install the printer drivers in
macOS and we will make it work,” commented Schmucker.
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac Pro Edition
More than 50 useful and time-saving features are included in the Pro Edition. New and key Pro Edition features include:
CPUs and RAM
Assign up to 32 vCPUs and 128 GB vRAM for each VM.
Microsoft Visual Studio plugin
Visual Studio integration simplifies testing applications across operating systems.
Create and name custom networks (new)
Name custom networks for more organised and productive testing.
Nested virtualisation
Run and test Microsoft Hyper-V-based virtual machines in a Parallels Desktop virtual machine.
Command line
Rich command line interface (prlctl and prlsrvctl) allows for flexible work automation.
Vagrant, Docker, and Jenkins plugins
Complimentary Vagrant, Docker and Jenkins plugins/providers for developers.
Linked clones
Make a new VM from a snapshot of the existing VM. The linked clone occupies a fraction of disk space that is used by the parent VM, as it reuses disk sectors that are the same for both VMs.
Archive a VM in Control Center
Pro users tend to have many virtual machines which occupy a lot of disk space. In-place archive right from Parallels Desktop Control Center, with the ability to manage the configuration of an archived VM.
Prepare for transfers (new)
Export a VM in a compressed format as a solid file for easier and faster upload and transfer to new hardware.
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac Business Edition
New Parallels Desktop 16 Business Edition features, which are in addition to all Pro Edition features, include:
Corporate VM provisioning
Easily configure VMs with preinstalled applications to upload, and to host for employees to securely download and run on their Mac devices.
Upgrade control
Centralised administration provides flexible controls to manage access to new Parallels Desktop updates, new feature releases, upgrades and new macOS releases.
Passwordless update
Administrator credentials are no longer required for Parallels Desktop updates, making it easier for IT and users to keep it current even when users are not admins on their Mac devices.
Easy installation on macOS Big Sur
Parallels Desktop installation on macOS Big Sur does not require approvals of system extensions, so installation is fast and seamless. It does not require rebooting the Mac.
Additionally, Parallels Desktop 16 subscribers receive complimentary concurrent subscriptions to Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows, as well as to Parallels Access.
Parallels Toolbox 4 for Mac and Windows Parallels Toolbox
Parallels Toolbox 4 for Mac and Windows Parallels Toolbox, which are included with Parallels Desktop subscriptions, are suites of over 30 timesaving utilities for both PC and Mac users. These one-click tools simplify managing the health of a computer, adding productivity.
The most popular Parallels Toolbox one-click tools for macOS and Windows include: Download Video, Presentation Mode, Hide Desktop Files, Energy Saver, Clean Drive, Unarchive, and Capture Area. New Parallels Toolbox 4 features include Show Desktop for Mac, Unit Converter for Mac, Close Apps for Windows and Unit Converter for Windows.
Parallels Access 6
Parallels Access 6, which is also included with Parallels Desktop subscriptions, enables users to remotely access up to five PC or Mac computers from iPad, iPhone and Android devices using familiar native touch gestures.
New features in version 6 include:
Personal help
Assist anyone who asks for help in fixing their PC or Mac issues without having to be in front of their computer. Simply generate and share a Personal Help link for them, enabling them to install a preconfigured copy of Parallels Access free of charge. This provides the user with access to their computer so issues can be resolvedfrom anywhere.
There is Bluetooth support for mice and trackpads in iPadOS 13.4 or later for remote sessions, including gestures. When a mouse or trackpad is detected, the cursor transforms into a native cursor depending on the content available on the screen—such as a pointer, I-beam or arrows—for an improved user experience.
Android support for OneDrive and Google Drive storage
This feature offers improved file sharing efficiency.
Edge-to-edge rendering and gestural navigation
Parallels, a business unit of Corel, has offices in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia. Parallels offers cross-platform solutions that make it possible and simple for businesses and individuals to use and access the applications and files they need on any device or operating system. Parallels helps customers take advantage of the best technology out there, whether it’s Windows, Mac, iOS, Android or the cloud.
Details:
All editions of Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac (Standard Edition, Pro Edition and Business Edition) are available for purchase either directly from Parallels online or from retail and online stores worldwide. Big Sur is currently in beta; when it is launched, Parallels will issue an updated version of Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac as required.
Current Parallels Desktop for Mac customers (any edition) can get upgrade pricing for Parallels Desktop 16 online.
New customers can download free full-featured 14-day trials and purchase online.
Parallels Desktop subscriptions include complimentary concurrent subscriptions to Parallels Toolbox for Mac and Windows and Parallels Access, which are also separately available to all PC and Mac users as standalone products for free trials and subscriptions.
The Installation Assistant in Parallels Desktop makes it simple to install Windows 10 on a Mac, and does not require users to purchase Windows beforehand. If users decide to keep using Windows, they can purchase a product key from Microsoft thereafter.
Recommended retail prices (RRP):
Parallels Desktop 16 for Mac
• Upgrade from any edition to a perpetual license – US$49.99
• New subscription – US$79.99 per year
• New perpetual license – US$99.99
Parallels Desktop for Mac Pro Edition
• Upgrade from any edition – US$49.99 per year
• New subscription – US$99.99 per year
Parallels Desktop for Mac Business Edition
• US$99.99 per year
Explore:
Watch the What's New video
*Performance measurements, conducted by Parallels engineers, compared results from running a prerelease version of Parallels Desktop 16 to results from running a released version of Parallels Desktop 15. Performance will vary based on Mac hardware configuration, usage, system configuration and other factors.
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