Parallels Desktop 27 for Mac claims to provide up to 160% faster OpenGL graphics for Windows apps such as Blender 4.3, as well as AI acceleration on M4 Macs and newer. One year after releasing Parallels Desktop 26, the company has launched new Mac and Enterprise versions, plus an online list of compatible Windows apps.

"As customers continue to push the limits of what they do on Mac, they're looking for virtualization that keeps pace with increasingly demanding applications and workflows," said Elena Koryakina, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Parallels.

The update uses a new Metal-based graphics driver bringing OpenGL 4.3 support to Windows virtual machines, meeting requirements for apps like ArcGIS Pro, ZWCAD, and Blender 4.3. Macs with M3 processors or later see up to 160% faster OpenGL performance and up to 35% faster 3D rendering in ArcGIS Pro.

Parallels Desktop 27 also introduces Scalable Matrix Extension (SME) support for Windows and Linux VMs on M4 Macs or later, with up to 7 times faster AI and machine learning matrix operations and up to 1.75 times faster neural network inference. A new online database includes over 200,000 Windows apps, and Jamf tools help manage multiple installations.