Apple Silicon Takes a Leap Forward: x86 Emulation Arrives in Parallels Desktop Beta

Key Points:

• X86 Emulation on Apple Silicon: Parallels Desktop 20.2.0 introduces beta support for x86 emulation on Apple Silicon Macs, allowing users to run Intel-based virtual machines (VMs) on M1 and later chips.
• Limitations of X86 Emulation: The feature is in a beta stage with boot times ranging from 2 to 7 minutes. It supports only one virtual CPU and up to 8 GB of RAM, lacks USB device and sound support, and does not support nested virtualization or 32-bit operating systems.
• Use Case: Primarily for testing and development purposes, enabling users to run, develop, and test 32-bit Windows applications on Apple Silicon Macs.
• Enhancements in Parallels Desktop 20.2.0: The update also includes hybrid licensing and SSO support, configuration profile support, and automatic time synchronization for macOS virtual machines on Apple Silicon.