Cover Image for Parallels is testing x86 emulation on Macs with Apple Silicon processors.
Wed Jan 15 2025

Parallels is testing x86 emulation on Macs with Apple Silicon processors.

However, no significant results are expected at the moment.

Parallels has introduced support for x86 emulation in its 20.2 version of Parallels Desktop, as announced by product manager Mikhail Ushakov in a recent post. This new "early technology preview" will allow users to emulate Intel-based hardware on Macs with M1 or later processors, marking a milestone for Parallels since Apple transitioned to ARM architecture in 2020. However, the company warns that performance will not be outstanding.

Users will be able to run operating systems such as Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019/2022, and some Linux distributions with UEFI BIOS through the Parallels emulator. They will also be able to create virtual machines for Windows 10 21H2 and Windows Server 2022.

Despite these functionalities, Ushakov points out that performance will be fairly slow, with boot times potentially reaching up to seven minutes. Additionally, there are multiple limitations: external USB devices are not supported, Windows 11 24H2 is not compatible, and only 64-bit operating systems can be emulated, although 32-bit applications can still be run. For now, the option to boot these virtual machines is hidden to avoid false expectations.

In the same 20.2 version, other changes have been implemented, such as automatic synchronization of time and time zone in macOS virtual machines on Apple silicon. Additionally, Apple’s AI-powered writing tools have been integrated into the contextual menu of Windows, available in applications like Word, PowerPoint, and the classic version of Outlook, making them accessible via right-click.