Parallels Desktop 27 brings OpenGL 4.3 and AI acceleration to Apple Silicon
Parallels Desktop 27 introduces a new Metal-based graphics driver, OpenGL 4.3 support for Windows virtual machines on Apple silicon, and faster local AI workloads. This update enhances the virtualization experience on macOS, making it more suitable for professionals and g…
Intelligence analysis by Llama
Parallels Desktop 27 is a significant update that brings improved graphics performance, AI acceleration, and enterprise features to the table. It's a must-have for anyone relying on Windows apps on macOS, especially professionals and gamers.
Imagine you're a professional who needs to work on a project that requires high-performance graphics. With Parallels Desktop 27, you can run Windows apps on your Mac, just like you would on a PC. This update makes it easier for professionals to work on their projects, and it's also great for gamers who want to play PC games on their Macs.
Analysis
Parallels Desktop 27: A Game-Changer for Professionals and Gamers
Parallels Desktop 27 is a significant update that brings improved graphics performance, AI acceleration, and enterprise features to the table. This update is a must-have for anyone relying on Windows apps on macOS, especially professionals and gamers.
The headline feature of Parallels Desktop 27 is a new Metal-based graphics driver that delivers hardware-accelerated OpenGL 4.3 support to Windows virtual machines on Apple silicon. This is a unique feature among Mac virtualization tools, and it's a game-changer for professionals who require high-performance graphics capabilities. OpenGL 4.3 is the minimum graphics level required by many professional Windows apps, including ArcGIS Pro, ZWCAD, and Blender 4.3. With this update, these apps can now run in a virtualized environment on macOS, making it easier for professionals to work on their projects.
In addition to improved graphics performance, Parallels Desktop 27 also adds support for Scalable Matrix Extension (SME2) instructions in Linux and Windows VMs on M4 and newer Macs. This translates to up to 7x faster AI and machine learning matrix operations and up to 1.75x faster neural network inference. For developers who want to build and test AI workloads locally rather than using cloud credits for every prompt, this is a nice upgrade and further highlights the importance of Apple Silicon in the AI era.
Parallels Desktop 27 also includes a host of enterprise features aimed at IT teams, helping them manage and deploy Windows on macOS. These features include the ability to use the CLI to determine whether a copy was activated with a license key or SSO, enabling organizations on Jamf to build extension attributes based on that for device management and reporting. The update also renews its SOC 2 compliance and includes improved declarative deployment for fully provisioned, zero-touch Windows VMs.
In conclusion, Parallels Desktop 27 is a significant update that addresses the needs of professionals and gamers who require high-performance graphics and AI capabilities on their Macs. It's a must-have for anyone relying on Windows apps on macOS, and it showcases the advancements in Apple Silicon technology and its potential applications in various industries.
Key points
- Parallels Desktop 27 introduces a new Metal-based graphics driver and OpenGL 4.3 support for Windows virtual machines on Apple silicon.
- The update includes faster local AI workloads and a host of enterprise features aimed at IT teams.
- Parallels Desktop 27 is a must-have for professionals and gamers who require high-performance graphics and AI capabilities on their Macs.
- The update showcases the advancements in Apple Silicon technology and its potential applications in various industries.
The update of Parallels Desktop 27 is a significant step forward in the development of virtualization on macOS. It's likely to improve the user experience for professionals and gamers, and it may also lead to new applications and industries that take advantage of Apple Silicon technology.
The update may not be compatible with all Windows apps, and it may require additional configuration or troubleshooting. Additionally, the update may have some performance issues or bugs that need to be addressed.
