How Much Does Parallels Cost?īrowsing the Parallels website, it can be a little tricky to find out what the product actually costs. Parallels costs more (since VirtualBox is free and Parallels is not), but there are hundreds of little design touches that help make running Windows within macOS as painless as possible, and that make setting everything up quick and easy. There are other virtual machine options available to Mac users, including the open source VirtualBox, but Parallels is different in that it’s designed exclusively with Mac users in mind. Virtual machines are complicated, but Parallels makes it reasonably simple to set one up and use it. You can even combine the two desktops, if you want, and run Windows software right on your Mac desktop from your Mac’s dock. This allows you to quickly switch between the Mac and Windows desktops. Parallels runs Windows within macOS, using what’s called a Virtual Machine. Sure, you could set up your Mac to run Windows with Boot Camp, but that means restarting your computer every time you need to use Windows. RELATED: How to Install Windows on a Mac With Boot Camp Please visit KB9003 for additional information.Why Use Parallels Instead of Boot Camp or VirtualBox? For Windows 8 or 8.1, you can use either the Full Product purchased at retail, or you can purchase the Windows 8 or 8.1 OEM System Builder version (lower price) which has some limitations. Windows can be purchased directly from Microsoft or many retail stores.
- Windows is not included with your purchase of Parallels Desktop 10 for Mac.
- Pre-Sales Questions - I want to buy Parallels and need to know…ĭoes Windows come pre-installed with Parallels Desktop for Mac? Windows needs to be purchased separately, for either solution, Boot Camp or Parallels. You can set your prefs in Parallels to do this automatically, so you don't forget. The only proviso is that you must shut it down in Parallels each time, rather than Suspend it, or it messes up the boot partition. You can use your Boot Camp drive in Parallels too, for times you just need quick access to Windows, without needing the full-speed setup. I'd go with Boot Camp for gaming, Parallels for less-intensive work. Parallels is great if you don't need full speed it's not great for gaming, but it's OK at a push.