The latest update to Parallels Desktop 27 introduces a Metal-based graphics driver and AI enhancements, significantly boosting the performance of Windows workloads on M-series Macs, including professional graphics and AI tasks.
Parallels Desktop 27 sharpens the case for running Windows workloads on Apple Silicon Macs, with the main gain coming from a new Metal-based graphics driver. According to 9to5Mac, the update adds hardware-accelerated OpenGL 4.3 support for Windows virtual machines on Apple Silicon, a level that matters for professional software in graphics, engineering and design. That includes tools such as ArcGIS Pro, ZWCAD and Blender 4.3, which can now operate more effectively inside macOS virtual machines.
The performance claims are substantial. Parallels says OpenGL graphics can be up to 160% faster on M3 and newer Macs, while 3D rendering in ArcGIS Pro is said to improve by up to 35%, cutting total workflow time by as much as 24%. Apple’s own documentation on Metal helps explain why that matters: Metal is the company’s hardware-accelerated graphics framework, and newer versions increasingly tie graphics and machine-learning work together. In practical terms, that gives virtual machines more access to the Mac’s real GPU rather than relying on slower software paths.
The release also targets local AI development. Parallels Desktop 27 adds support for Scalable Matrix Extension instructions in Linux and Windows virtual machines on M4 and newer Macs. The company says that can deliver up to 7x faster matrix operations for AI and machine-learning workloads, plus up to 1.75x faster neural-network inference. That should benefit developers using tools such as Ollama and llama.cpp inside a virtual machine, especially those trying to keep model testing local rather than shifting every task to the cloud.
Enterprise users get a separate set of changes. Parallels Desktop for Enterprise now includes CLI-based checks that can identify whether a copy was activated with a licence key or single sign-on, which should help Jamf-based reporting and policy work. The company also says it has renewed SOC 2 compliance, while Secure Golden Images Provisioning now supports distributing approved VM images through enterprise storage such as Azure Blob Storage and SharePoint. Parallels Desktop 27 is available now in Standard, Pro, Business and Enterprise editions, and the company continues to position it as a practical way to run more than 200,000 Windows apps on Macs, including Apple Silicon models.
Disclaimer: This content is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are advised to exercise their own judgement, conduct due diligence, or consult a qualified expert before acting on any information provided.
