Running Windows 10 on M1 MacBook with Parallels

If you're an avid gamer, you may have been disappointed by the performance of Windows 11 virtual machines in the past. However, with Parallels, running Windows 10 on your M1 MacBook can be a seamless experience. In this article, we'll explore how to set up and use Parallels to run Windows 10 on your Mac.

Gaming Performance

In comparison, when I played Counter-Strike on the Windows 11 virtual machine, it was practically unplayable at 15 frames per second. However, as we found out in our M1 gaming review, the Mac Mini can produce a reasonable performance for mid-tier titles, including Fortnite, Asphalt, CS: GO, and more.

Limitations

Since Parallels doesn't support DirectX 12, that leaves out most new video games. For the ones it can launch, like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, you'll have a better time playing them on macOS itself. The one aspect where the Windows virtual machine is still no match for a direct installation is gaming.

Other Features

However, Parallels offers many other features that make running Windows 10 on your M1 MacBook a great option. You can access Mac files from the Windows File Explorer, and Mac apps will be available in Windows' 'Open-with' menu. Both desktops can stay in sync as well, which means the active Windows programs will appear on the macOS dock.

Coherence Mode

With the 'Coherence' mode, you can access Windows apps as if they're installed on macOS itself and effortlessly drag and drop files across them and Mac apps - minus the constant back and forth between the VM and macOS.

Configuring Performance

The most important tool is the ability to configure how much memory and CPU bandwidth is allocated to the virtual machine. On top of that, it offers a host of handy tools so that you can adjust the experience depending on your demands.

Setup and Installation

Once you download Parallels on your Mac, its installation assistant will grab and load up the Windows 10 ISO file for you, and the M1 chip's performance chops wrap up that process in about 30 minutes. Installing Windows on Parallels is no longer a multi-step process either.

Waking Up from Sleep

Plus, it can wake up from sleep in an instant in the same state you left it, including all the open apps. Everything from Windows 11's refreshed animations to resource-intensive multitasking worked as Microsoft intended it to.

In conclusion, running Windows 10 on your M1 MacBook with Parallels is a great option for those who want to run both operating systems seamlessly. With its ability to configure performance and offer many other features, Parallels makes it easy to use Windows 10 alongside macOS.

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