The Parallels Desktop 18 version comes with important new features that improve the user experience in general, although without a doubt one of the most important changes it brings is the new Windows 11 installation process, and that is that we can install said operating system on a Mac equipped with SoC M1, including the “Ultra” version, with a single click.
This ease and simplicity of the installation process has been possible because, in theory, Parallels Desktop 18 has been designed to atake full advantage of all the possibilities of the hardware used by the new Macs, and because a very deep adaptation and optimization work has been carried out.
With Parallels Desktop 18 we can download, install and configure Windows 11 with just one click. In addition, the application can download a free set of Linux distributions that will be ready to use. Interesting, but that’s not all, as this new version also offers improved gaming performance, allows us to use Xbox and PS5 DualShock controllers, and comes with specific optimizations to harness the potential of the M1 Ultra SoC. In theory, these optimizations improve performance with Windows 11 by 96% compared to previous versions.
Secondly USB 3.0 drive support has been improved, which will allow us to access numerous streaming and recording devices, such as the Elgato HD60 capture device. There has also been a significant boost to the support and performance of x86 applications running on Windows 11 on ARM.
Parallels Desktop 18 is now available. We can try it for free, buy a new license or upgrade an old one. These are the official prices for Spain:
- Parallels Desktop 18: new license from 99.99 euros.
- Upgrade to Parallels Desktop 18 from €69.99.
- Parallels Desktop 18 Pro Edition: 119.99 euros per year.
- Parallels Desktop Business Edition: €149.99 per year.
