Parallels for Mac has announced Parallels Desktop 18, a new update that brings full support for the ProMotion displays in the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros, improved performance on the M1 Ultra chip, easier Windows 11 setup, and more.

Parallels Desktop 18 is designed to take full advantage of the latest Mac hardware, including the highest-end M1 Ultra Apple silicon chip. With the M1 Ultra in the Mac Studio, Parallels Desktop 18 "delivers up to 96% faster Windows 11" performance compared to previous versions of Parallels.
Full support for Apple's ProMotion display with automatic refresh rate changes and unleashed Apple M1 Ultra performance allowing users to assign more resources and get up to 96% faster Windows 11.
Parallels Desktop 18 also brings with it an improved Windows 11 installation experience and the ability to use a game controller on Windows 11 on the Mac.
Enhanced Windows game-play experience on a Mac: Users can now simply connect a game controller to their Mac, switch to Windows, and start playing. Enjoy smooth Windows UI and video playback, a higher frame rate, and much more.
Ahead of release later this fall, Parallels Desktop 18 includes support for new macOS Ventura features and functionalities. Additional new features include improved USB 3.0 support, improved compatibility of Intel (x86) applications, and more.
The Standard Edition of Parallels 18 for Mac is priced at $99.99 per year or $129.99 for a one-time perpetual license to the current version, with students eligible for a discounted price of $49.99 per year. The Pro Edition is priced at $119.99 per year, while the Business Edition is priced at $149.99 per year.

















Top Rated Comments
I have successfully run even complex commercial software like Altium Designer (ECAD) and simulation software for engineering tasks.
There was a point where I thought the install froze, but it didn't. It's at the part where Windows shows Getting Ready and there's a rotating circle of dots. The rotating circle freezes. I couldn't get it to continue, so I killed it and the whole install vanished.
I tried the install again and it froze at the same spot. But instead of killing it, I kept clicking to free up the mouse and then clicked back into the install window and the install resumed. Odd. Apparently if the mouse isn't in the installer, it freezes until you click back into it.
I used my Windows 10 code that I've had for a long time and it worked great. Just remember to select which version of Windows 11 to install before you tell the install to start. I forgot the first time and started installing Home when my key is for Pro. There's a popup window to let you select the version.
So far, it seems to run great. I'm going to try to install some x64 apps and see how well they run. TBC...