Parallels Desktop 20 released with AI tools and macOS Sequoia support

Hey Mac fans and developers! Big news just landed from Parallels. They’ve rolled out the latest version of their popular software, Parallels Desktop 20, and it’s packed with features that are bound to make both developers and tech enthusiasts pretty excited.

Let’s dive straight into one of the most talked-about features: the Parallels AI Package. This is a game-changer for anyone dabbling in artificial intelligence. With the new package, you get a pre-configured virtual machine loaded with 14 essential AI development tools, sample code, and detailed instructions. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, this package makes it a breeze to experiment with AI models. And the best part? The AI VM works entirely offline, offering a secure, private space for all your development needs. Plus, you can tweak resource settings and cut off network access for an extra layer of security.

A card image of Parallels AI Package's Pre-packaged toolsets. A collection of ten colorful cards with text and logos, each describing a different software tool or library used in computer programming and data science. The tools include: Ollama, OpenWebUI, Docker Community Edition, Pandoc, Torch, Pandas, llama-cpp-python, NumPy, TensorFlow, FFmpeg, TorchVision, TorchAudio, OpenCV, and Imutils. Each card provides a succinct explanation of the tool’s functionality, ranging from machine learning models to video processing. — Image: Parallels

Prashant Ketkar, CTO at Parallels, put it well: “As PCs become more AI-capable, we believe AI will soon be standard on every desktop. This shift challenges developers to update their applications to fully leverage AI-enabled PCs. That’s why we created the Parallels AI Package: to equip development teams—whether experts or beginners—with accessible AI models and code suggestions. This enables ISVs to build AI-enabled applications in minutes, significantly boosting productivity for every software development team using a Mac.”

Now, if you’re all about keeping up with the latest tech, you’ll be pleased to know that Parallels Desktop 20 plays nice with macOS Sequoia and Windows 11 24H2. The software is designed to keep your workflow smooth and efficient, even when running those trusty old Windows apps. The new Prism emulator in Windows 11 on Arm can boost performance by up to 80% for certain tasks. And if you’re working with shared folders, get ready for some speed—the new update promises up to 4x faster file operations on Mac files within Linux VMs.

An illustrated image showing multiple cards with multiple virctual machine screen in Parallels Desktop for Mac. The image displays a computer desktop with multiple virtual machine windows open, each showing a different operating system interface. In the center is a large window featuring the Windows Virtual Machine with its distinctive blue swirling wallpaper. To the top right, there’s a smaller macOS Virtual Machine window with its red and orange abstract wallpaper. At the bottom left, another small window shows the local device’s macOS interface with an open Safari browser displaying what appears to be a website dashboard. Lastly, at the bottom right corner is an Ubuntu Virtual Machine window with its default purple wallpaper. All virtual machine windows are surrounded by glowing borders matching their respective primary colors—blue for Windows, red for macOS, and purple for Ubuntu—set against a dark background that enhances their visibility. A recycle bin icon is also visible on the lower left side of the screen. — Image: Parallels

For businesses, Parallels Desktop 20 offers an Enterprise Edition with a snazzy management portal. This means better control, visibility, and efficiency when handling virtual machines and security policies. There’s also support for advanced licensing options like Single Sign-On (SSO) and volume licenses, plus top-notch support and onboarding services.

A screenshot of the Parallels Desktop interface on a Mac, showing two windows. The first window, titled ‘Golden Images,’ lists a saved virtual machine image named ‘Windows 11, Apple silicon 1.’ The second window, titled ‘Virtual Machines,’ displays a list of various virtual machines with details such as name, version, condition (running or suspended), and last changed date. — Image: Parallels

Security is always a priority, and Parallels doesn’t disappoint. Desktop 20 boasts a SOC 2 Type 2 report and undergoes regular third-party penetration testing, so you can trust it with your critical applications.

Developers, on the other hand, get a boost with enhanced DevOps services, letting you build software across Windows, Linux, and macOS VMs from anywhere. The upgraded Visual Studio Code Extension now integrates Microsoft Copilot, allowing you to manage VMs using natural language. How cool is that?

So, there you have it—Parallels Desktop 20 is out now in Standard, Pro, and Business editions. The AI Package is included at no extra cost in the Business and Enterprise editions and will be free in the Pro Edition throughout 2024. Whether you’re a developer, a business user, or just someone who loves running multiple OSes on a Mac, Parallels Desktop 20 is here to boost your productivity and spark your creativity.