Enhanced Performance and Compatibility with Parallels Desktop 27: Introducing M5 & macOS 27 Support

Parallels has recently unveiled a significant update to Parallels Desktop, introducing version 27.0.0 (build 58628). This update focuses on enhancing support for the latest macOS versions on Apple silicon, particularly gearing up for the upcoming macOS 27 Golden Gate update. While version 27 no longer supports Intel-powered Macs, Parallels assures users that periodic security and compatibility updates will still be available for version 26.

Enhancements and Resolutions

Parallels Desktop 27 brings several enhancements to the table.

One notable addition is the support for Apple’s SME CPU feature on M4 and M5 chips in Windows and Linux virtual machines. This feature accelerates heavy workloads, including local AI inference.

Moreover, the update addresses various security vulnerabilities in the virtual networking stack, virtual GPU command processing, and VirtIO subsystem. These fixes tackle issues like memory corruption, out-of-bounds reads, and privilege escalation vectors.

Elena Koryakina, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Parallels, emphasized the importance of keeping pace with evolving user demands, stating, “As customers continue to push the limits of what they do on Mac, they’re looking for virtualization that keeps pace with increasingly demanding applications and workflows.”

She further added, “Parallels Desktop 27 enables customers to run more of the Windows applications they depend on, while giving developers faster local AI performance and expanding what’s possible on Apple silicon.”

Parallels Desktop 27 now offers Scalable Matrix Extension (SME) support for Windows and Linux virtual machines on M4 Macs or later. This results in accelerated AI development on-device, with improved performance for AI tools like Ollama and llama.cpp.

The new version boasts up to 7 times faster AI and machine learning matrix operations and up to 1.75 times faster neural network inference compared to its predecessor.

Additionally, tools have been introduced to assist Jamf users in managing multiple Parallels Desktop 27 installations.

Windows Integration

All Windows virtual machines now utilize a reengineered OpenGL driver powered by Apple’s Metal API, elevating support from OpenGL 4.1 to 4.3. Parallels claims that this change has demonstrated up to 2.6x faster performance in their benchmarks on Macs equipped with an M3 chip or newer.

Key highlights of the reengineered driver include:

• New Metal-based OpenGL 4.3 graphics driver
• Up to 160% faster OpenGL graphics performance on Macs with M3 chips and newer
• Up to 35% faster 3D rendering in ArcGIS Pro

The update also addresses several issues, such as crashes in the TradeStation app, artifacts in PDF-XChange when running in Coherence mode on a Windows 11 virtual machine, and crashes in Altium Designer within a Windows virtual environment.

Linux Integration

Linux users will find several new features, including out-of-the-box support for new Linux distributions like Ubuntu 26.04 LTS, Fedora 44, Debian 13.6, and Kali Linux 2026.2.

Users running headless Ubuntu Arm virtual machines can now update Parallels Tools via the command line without the need for a graphical session. Additionally, the shared folders daemon (prl_fsd) has been updated from libfuse2 to libfuse3, enhancing stability and compatibility with modern Linux distributions.

Parallels Desktop 27 Enterprise Edition

The Enterprise Edition of Parallels Desktop 27 has also received updates, now certified as “ARM SystemReady SR 3.1 (VE band).” This certification enhances compliance, improves compatibility with new OS releases, and reduces the risk of unexpected issues.

Furthermore, a fix has been implemented for an issue that previously prevented the application of provisioning packages during Declarative Deployment on virtual machines running Windows 24H2.

Features Removed in Parallels Desktop 27

While software updates bring new capabilities, they also sometimes necessitate the removal of certain features. Parallels Desktop 27 is no exception, with the following features losing support:

• The ability to install Parallels Desktop 27 on a Mac running macOS Ventura 13
• Support for Intel Macs
• Support for Boot Camp
• Travel mode
• Unread email badge and new mail notifications for Classic Outlook
• The “Security” tab in Parallels Desktop preferences, now controlled remotely by Enterprise Edition administrators
• Shared Bluetooth functionality, with Bluetooth devices connected to your Mac continuing to work normally in virtual machines

Online Windows Apps Compatibility Database

Parallels has introduced an online database to allow users to verify the compatibility of Windows apps. The database includes over 200,000 Windows apps marked as compatible with Parallels. Users can search for apps by name to check their compatibility status.

Parallels Desktop 27 is available as a subscription app with various pricing tiers for individual users, businesses, and enterprises. The standard price is $185 per year, with occasional discounts for first-time users and renewals.

For more information on Parallels Desktop 27 and its new features, visit www.parallels.com/blogs/parallels-desktop-27.

For details on Parallels Desktop for Enterprise, visit www.parallels.com/products/desktop/enterprise.

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