VMware and Parallels announce major updates for Mac virtualization

Major updates have arrived for leading Mac virtualization software, offering new capabilities for running Windows and Linux on Apple Silicon.

VMware has announced that VMware Fusion Pro is now completely free for personal, non-commercial use. Following Broadcom's acquisition, the company has discontinued the Fusion Player version and transitioned the Pro version to a free model for individual consumers. This version includes full features such as snapshot capabilities and Unity mode, supporting Windows 11 ARM and various Linux distributions on M-series chips.

Simultaneously, Parallels has released Parallels Desktop 27. This update focuses on enhancing professional software compatibility and performance. Key improvements include the addition of OpenGL 4.3 support via Apple Metal architecture, which stabilizes professional applications like CAD and GIS tools. The new version also optimizes AI computing capabilities for M4 and newer Apple chips, reporting significant increases in matrix calculation and neural network inference speeds. It continues to support the seamless integration of Windows applications within the macOS environment.