Parallels Introduces AI Platform for Virtual Machines That Bundles 14 Tools, Including Small Language Models – and Promises Faster Performance on Windows and Linux
The official launch of Parallels Desktop 20 has introduced a number of advanced AI capabilities to the virtualization platform.
Parallels Desktop 20 offers compatibility with macOS Sequoia and Windows 11 24H2, providing improved performance for users working in macOS, Windows, and Linux environments.
The latest edition introduces secure, downloadable AI-ready virtual machines (VMs), making AI development easier and more efficient. Notably, Parallels Desktop 20 is the only virtualization software authorized by Microsoft to run Windows on Apple Silicon, meaning developers have flexibility and choice across platforms.
AI-powered virtual machines for offline use
Parallels Desktop 20 introduces a new AI package that offers a virtual machine pre-loaded with 14 AI development toolsets, including sample code and instructions, aimed at streamlining AI application development.
With a single click, users can download the virtual machine pre-configured for AI development, including support for running small language models within the VM. This tool also allows users to adjust resources and further lock down the working environment by disabling network access.
Parallels Desktop 20 is fully compatible with macOS Sequoia, Apple’s latest operating system, and users can take advantage of macOS Sequoia’s new AI-powered writing tools while working with Windows apps in the virtual environment. Another useful feature is the ability to log in directly to Apple ID on macOS virtual machines running Apple Silicon.
On the Windows side, the company claims that Parallels Desktop 20 improves performance for some workloads by 80% thanks to improvements made to the Prism emulator, which is built into Windows 11 on Arm.
Parallels Desktop 20 also introduces a new shared folder technology, which improves compatibility and performance when running applications on different platforms. The update improves performance with apps like Mathematica and NinjaTrader. Parallels claims that for some operations on Mac files in Linux VMs, speeds are now four times faster.
There is also an Enterprise Edition of the new Desktop 20, which offers a new Management Portal that allows enterprises to monitor and manage virtual machines while providing advanced security policies. The Enterprise Edition also has enhanced licensing options, including support for Single Sign-On (SSO) and volume licensing.
This software complies with SOC 2 Type 2, a crucial security standard. It undergoes regular third-party penetration testing to ensure it remains secure and resilient against cyber threats. For IT professionals and developers, Parallels Desktop 20 offers upgrades such as enhanced DevOps services that allow developers to build software in Windows, macOS, and Linux VMs.
The new update also brings improvements to the Visual Studio Code Extension, which now integrates with Microsoft Copilot to allow users to control virtual machines via natural language commands. Additionally, the Snapshots feature and OCR-powered Packer for macOS VMs on Apple Silicon have been upgraded.
The Parallels Desktop 20 for Mac can be purchased or upgraded through the Parallels website and authorized resellers. The software is offered in Standard, Pro and Business editions, with the Parallels AI package being included in the Pro, Business and Enterprise editions at no additional cost in 2024.
“As PCs become more AI-enabled, we believe AI will soon be standard on every desktop. This shift challenges developers to update their applications to take full advantage of AI-enabled PCs,” said Prashant Ketkar, CTO at Parallels.
“That’s why we created the Parallels AI suite: to equip development teams – whether experts or novices – with accessible AI models and code suggestions. This allows ISVs to build AI-enabled applications in minutes, significantly increasing the productivity of any software development team using a Mac.”
