Virtualization software company Parallels has announced that it is testing x86 emulation on Apple silicon Macs, a feature that has been missing from Arm-based Macs since Apple transitioned to Apple silicon in 2020. The "early technology preview" is part of Parallels Desktop 20.2 and allows users to emulate Intel-based hardware on M1-or-greater Macs.

The x86 emulation feature, which is still in its early stages, will enable users to run existing x86_64 Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2019/2022, and some Linux distributions with UEFI BIOS via Parallels Emulator. Additionally, users will be able to create new Windows 10 21H2 and Windows Server 2022 virtual machines. However, Parallels product manager Mikhail Ushakov warns that performance will be "really slow," with up to seven-minute boot times.

Other limitations of the x86 emulation feature include no external USB device support, Windows 11 24H2 isn't supported, and users can only emulate 64-bit operating systems. Although users can run 32-bit apps, the option to start one of these VMs is hidden for now "to avoid false expectations" from those who don't need x86 emulation. A separate article on Parallels' website outlines the full list of caveats.

Despite the limitations, the addition of x86 emulation is a significant step forward for Parallels and Apple silicon Mac users. The feature will enable users to run Windows and Linux applications on their M1 Macs, which was previously not possible. However, the slow performance and limitations may make it less appealing to users who require high-performance virtualization.

In addition to the x86 emulation feature, Parallels Desktop 20.2 also brings some other changes, including support for automatic time and time zone syncing in macOS virtual machines on Apple silicon. The update also adds Apple's AI-powered Writing Tools to the Windows right-click menu in Word, PowerPoint, and the classic version of Outlook, making it easier for users to access these tools.

The addition of x86 emulation to Parallels Desktop 20.2 is a significant development in the virtualization space, particularly for Apple silicon Mac users. While the feature is still in its early stages and has some limitations, it marks an important step forward in enabling users to run Windows and Linux applications on their M1 Macs. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see improved performance and additional features.

For now, users can try out the x86 emulation feature in Parallels Desktop 20.2, but they should be aware of the limitations and slow performance. As the technology advances, we can expect to see more robust and feature-rich virtualization solutions for Apple silicon Mac users.