Parallels Desktop on Apple Silicon: A Glimpse into the Future of Gaming

The gaming landscape is constantly evolving, and Parallels Desktop has been making significant strides in embracing Apple's M1 architecture. In a recent conversation with Dmitry Geynisman, Product Manager at Parallels, it became clear that DirectX 12 is currently the top priority for the team. This means that more games will be compatible with this API, giving users access to a wider range of titles.

We had previously noticed that DirectX 12 wasn't possible, but Geynisman confirmed that it is indeed in the works. While we were impressed by the progress made so far, we decided to reach out to Geynisman to gain insight into Parallels' plans for gaming on Apple Silicon in the future.

During our testing, we encountered no issues with storage space, a common limitation for gaming on M1 devices. The only time we noticed any hiccups was during graphically intensive games, which would occasionally trigger fan noise. However, this may be an isolated glitch and not indicative of a broader issue.

In terms of performance, our testing revealed some surprising results. Rash Bandicoot: N.Sane Trilogy, for instance, ran smoothly at 1440p resolution with high settings, while Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes achieved full speed on high settings as well. We also tested other games in a resolution of 1440x900 at medium settings and found that they all ran at full speed.

On the other hand, Resident Evil 3 struggled with graphical issues, making it unplayable even when adjusting graphic settings to 'low' or 'off'. Unfortunately, attempting to load up Halo Infinite through the Xbox app also failed due to the same issue.

The lack of support for certain games is likely due to their reliance on DirectX frameworks. However, Parallels Desktop 17's compatibility with M1 architecture means that users can run Windows apps within the app, giving them access to a wider range of gaming options.

In conclusion, while there are still some limitations and challenges to overcome, Parallels Desktop on Apple Silicon is making significant strides in embracing gaming. With DirectX 12 as the top priority, we expect to see even more games become compatible in the future. As developers continue to adapt their titles for this architecture, it will be exciting to see how gaming on M1 devices evolves.

Macbook parallels m1