Parallels Desktop 19 revealed | What’s new?

Parallels, a platform designed to enable Mac users to utilise Windows or Linux operating systems on their devices, has announced its latest update: Parallels Desktop 19. Included within this update are various compatibility and quality of life updates as well as design changes and new integrations that will excite its users. Read on to find out what’s new.

What’s new in Parallels Desktop 19?

Compatibility with macOS Sonoma upgrade

Parallels improves its compatibility with newer software updates in Parallels 19. The impending release of macOS Sonoma 14 has presented challenges for the team at Parallels, with one update rendering the Shared Printing feature useless. In response, the Parallels team have released an update to ensure printing will still be possible on macOS Sonoma 14, and there may even be more printer-specific features to follow.

Linux and x86 binaries

Parallels 19 simplifies the process of running x86 binaries and container images, allowing users to easily consume and debug containers and build them on x86 on Macs running Apple silicon.

On Parallel Desktop for Mac Pro Edition, users can run x86 Docker containers through a new downloadable, ready-to-go Ubunto Linux ARM VM.

Professional software improvements

This update also brings further improvements to software used by architecture, engineering and design professionals.

Notably, Parallels will receive improved support on OpenGL up to version 4.1, and performance enhancements on ArcGIS Pro, while more Windows-only CAD software will be possible to run on Mac, including VariCAD, Deswik.CAD, and Vectorworks Vision 2023 to name a few.

macOS VM on Apple silicon improvements

Previously, Parallels had much fewer features on macOS silicon due to it running on a newer macOS framework, however this is set to change.

The latest update will see improvements for macOS VMs on silicon, including the ability to use an IPSW image to install new macOS VMs via the Installation Assistant UI, basic VM operations, deploy Parallels Desktop with macOS virtual machine to Mac computers, and the ability to use the trackpad to scroll or zoom using two-finger gestures.

While running macOS Sonoma 14 in both primary and virtual capacity, Parallels users will also see their display resolution update automatically when a VM window is resized and be able to use port forwarding to access a macOS VM via SSH or RDP remotely.

macOS VM support on Apple silicon and Packer improvements

And there are further improvements to Parallels on silicon, as Parallels have partnered with HashiCorp to deliver long-awaited improvements to the Parallels Provider for Packer and Vagrant. Users will no longer need to use Parallels SDK and Python in the latest update, making it easier to work with these tools, while there will also be improved documentation offering comprehensive guides on using these tools and sample templates for Packer to simplify onboarding for new customers.

New integrations with Mac

It’s now possible to use touch ID for both Windows sign-in and Parallels Desktop installation. In Parallels Desktop 19, users will be prompted to sign in with Touch ID when they log in, or alternatively, they can opt to switch back to the old sign in method simply and easily if they prefer.

Device management and Microsoft Intune

Ensuring that virtual Windows devices used by end-users in an organization can be enrolled in Microsoft Intune is made easier in Parallels Desktop 19, by adding the ability to enrol Windows 11 in Intune when it is provisioned to employees via the Parallels My Account web app.

Design

And finally, inspired by the depth of detail in Apple design, Parallels have released updates to their design, including a new app icon and in-product details to fit the macOS brand guidelines and better reflect the ethos of Parallels.

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