It’s little wonder that MacOS nearly tripled its desktop market share in the ten years between June 2013 and June 2023.

However, this revolution came with a steep price for gamers.

Where Windows had developed into a sprawling ecosystem of cutting-edge experiences — with Steam playing a pivotal role—Apple’s processor of choice made development costly.

In turn, Mac releases became infrequent.

All that began to change with Apple’s switch to Intel-produced processors, enabling a fresh generation of great — albeit infrequent — Mac ports.

Apple then switched to more powerful, internally developed chips, which integrate well with ARM-based Windows 10 and 11.

Because of the chips’ greater power—and newfound commonalities in architecture—today’s average MacBook is also a potential legit gaming laptop, with a little help from Parallels Desktop.

Once you hook your Mac up with Parallels Desktop, a whole new world of gaming awaits you. Don’t let us stop you – sign up for a free trial of Parallels Desktop.

Recommended specs for playing Steam games on a Mac

Virtual machines require a lot of memory and processor power—which not all Macs have. As such, not all Apple systems are compatible.

Mac owners with Apple’s recent and hyper-powerful processors—M1, M2, and M3—will get the best performance out of this version.

Compatible Versions of the macOS

• macOS Sonoma 14.0 or newer
• macOS Ventura 13.2 or newer

• macOS Monterey 12.6 or newer
• macOS Big Sur 11.7 or newer
• macOS Catalina 10.15.7 or newer
• macOS Mojave 10.14.6 or newer

Processor type

• Apple M3, M3 Pro, & M3 Max
• M2, M2 Pro, M2 Max, M2 Ultra
• M1 Pro, M1 Max, and M1 Ultra chips
• Intel Core i5, Core i7, Core i9 or Xeon processor

Recommended memory capacity

• 16 GB of RAM or more

Storage space

• 600 MB (for installing Parallels)
• 16 GB (for Windows 11)

Graphics chips

• Graphic processors inside all M1, M2, and M3 (including Pro, Max, and Ultra chips)
• AMD Radeon Pro graphics cards

Are there Steam games that are already Mac-compatible?

Yes. Plenty of Steam games are Mac-compatible—though the majority aren’t.

Despite the Mac’s longstanding gaming drought, developers increasingly publish their games on macOS.

Check Steam’s dedicated MacOS page to find out for yourself. Use a custom search to include only MacOS-compatible games.

How to play Steam games on a Mac with Parallels Desktop

Adding a new operating system sounds like it would take forever. While it once did—please believe me—installing Parallels Desktop is pretty painless.

1. Download Parallels Desktop and play Steam games on a Mac

First, grab a copy of Parallels Desktop for Mac (There’s a free 14-day trial for uncertain gamers).

Once you fill in your email, you’ll arrive at a download page.

Click the Download Parallels Desktop button, then the link will be sent to your email address.

2. Install Parallels Desktop to play Steam games on a Mac

Double-click your newly downloaded .dmg executable. A window with the Parallels Desktop icon will pop up.

Double-click (or hit “Open” if you’re presented with a MacOS confirmation window).

Next, click through the user agreement. You’ll be asked to share usage data with Parallels Desktop to improve the service.

Click enable or disable, depending on your preference.

After that, Parallels Desktop gets automatically downloaded and installed.

3. Download and install Windows 11 to configure a Parallels Desktop VM for Windows-based Steam games

Now that Parallels Desktop is in place, you’ll need to install our operating system: Windows 11.

After selecting Windows, the installer will automatically download and initialize it.

Once done, you’ll see a window containing the complete virtualized operating system.

Now, you can control Windows from a window on your Mac. Mind-blowing, right?

4. Download and install Steam on the Windows VM you created

You’ll need the Steam client to load Steam games on your Mac.

Visit Steam’s storefront and download a Windows-compatible version.

Once completed, click the installer. Give it a moment to download and initialize Steam.

After, create a Steam account if you don’t already have one.

The wide world of PC gaming is now at your fingertips.

5. Download Steam games on your Mac

If you’re a Steam newbie, you’ll spot an avalanche of games set to an infinite scroll.

It’s best to use the search bar to find the games you’re looking for — if only to avoid eyestrain.

Once you find your game’s store page, click Add to Cart.

Hit “Continue to Payment” and choose your payment method. Then complete checkout. Your game should begin downloading immediately.

Once completed, click the Library tab on your Steam app and select your chosen game.

Lastly, hit that big green button to play.

Pat yourself on the back, friend. Your PC gaming career has begun. Clear your schedule; inform your friends, family, and job that they’re on the backburner now.

Optimize your Mac’s performance for Steam games

Tweaking game settings for better performance is a skill in and of itself.

That said, there are a handful of simple methods for improving stability and frame rates.

Monitor CPU usage and close unnecessary tasks

Pay close attention to the computer chip icon on your Parallel’s top window tray. This icon indicates your current CPU capacity (if usage rises above 70 percent, the chip turns red).

Clicking the icon lets you view the exact percentage and gives you access to the Task Manager.

Click it to open a window that displays the processes currently taxing your CPU.

Be sure to close out any processes or software that aren’t necessary for gaming.

Free up your Mac’s disk space

While hard drives don’t determine gaming performance, computers often slow down when they’re more than 90% full.

If yours is overstuffed, delete a handful of unneeded programs or large files—or throw them on the cloud for later.

Change the resolution on your Steam games

Resolution plays a massive role in performance. The more pixels your processor processes, the more stress your hardware experiences.

Because the built-in displays on many Macs are higher than full HD, your computer may be working harder for pixels you won’t see.

Pause your game and open the display or graphics settings.

Reducing it a few notches may provide the performance boost you need.

Steam gaming on Mac FAQs

Do I need to buy a new Windows 11 license to use with Parallels Desktop for Mac?

It depends.

You’ll have a month to use Windows 11 unrestricted. After that, you’ll have to deal with some inconvenient limitations.

You’ll still be able to game after this point, but the disadvantages of not activating your Windows 11 include an omnipresent watermark in the bottom-left corner of your screen.

Unless you can tolerate those limitations, you’ll need a license.

Get one from Microsoft’s official page, or opt for more affordable licenses from third-party retailers.

Does DirectX work with Parallels Desktop for Mac?

Parallels Desktop currently supports DirectX graphics up to Version 11 and OpenGL up to version 4.1, which expands the possibilities for playing Steam games and other PC games on Mac. It does not currently support DirectX 12.

What are some great Steam games I can play on my Mac with Parallels Desktop?

PC gaming is an embarrassment of riches.

Whether you’re looking for simpler grab-and-go indie titles or full-fledged open-world adventures`—and anything in between—you can find it on Steam.

Are you looking for games PC natives are losing their minds over? Here are a few worth checking out:

• En Garde!: Tight, acrobatic swashbuckling
• Sifu: Seamless Kung-fu combat
• Friends vs Friends: Cute card-based shooter
• Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain: Surreal open world stealth action
• Scorn: Stunning Lovecraftian simulation
• Persona 5 Royal: Give hope to the masses (in impeccable style)
• Have a blast with literally any Yakuza Game

How do I find good Steam games to play on my Mac?

Steam’s community reviews system is one of its best features.

Using it, any Steam user who’s purchased a game can leave feedback.

Steam qualifies each game with ratings that range from Overwhelmingly Positive to Overwhelmingly Negative, based on the proportion of positive to negative reviews.

Each game gets two scores.

All Reviews is the score averaged across every single user review.

Recent Reviews pulls newly published reviews, effectively showing you the degree to which a game has either been improved through subsequent updates or underwent a change in public perception.

The day you install Parallels Desktop is the first day of your Mac’s new (gaming) life

While it’s not literally true that your fun with Steam PC games will never end, there are enough great games to last you for actual years.

Again, you should tell your loved ones if you plan on dropping off the face of the earth, but they’ll understand when you tell them how you helped achieve nuclear disarmament in our lifetime.

Let Parallels Desktop open a new world of gaming for you. Sign up for a free trial of Parallels Desktop. 

If you are one of the millions of Mac users who need a quick, straightforward way to take screenshots, I’ve got you covered.

Taking a screenshot on a Mac is easier than ordering takeout, thanks to the different shortcuts offered.

With just a few taps, you can take a screenshot to share with coworkers, add to a blog post, or save a favorite image or photo.

If you’re not sure how to take a screenshot or don’t understand why your shortcuts aren’t working, read on.

I have an entire guide dedicated to helping you capture that perfect screenshot or recording.

Parallels lets you run Windows programs seamlessly on your Mac. Get your free trial! 

5 ways to take a screenshot on Mac

Unlocking the full potential of your Mac goes beyond knowing how to open a browser and finding your favorite apps.

Learning to capture and share what’s on your screen effectively can streamline your workflow, improve collaboration, and help you share your creativity.

Let’s look at several methods for capturing screenshots on your Mac like a pro.

1. Capture a portion of your screen

The simplest way to capture a screenshot is to use the Command-Shift-4 keyboard shortcut.

This method is like the snipping tool you’re likely familiar with from using PCs.

Here is how:

• Press Command-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
• Select the area of a screen you want to capture by dragging the cursor.

After releasing the mouse button, the screenshot appears as a PNG image on your desktop.

You can then upload it to a blog or social media site or send it as an email attachment.

2. Capture the entire visible portion of the screen in a screenshot

This shortcut captures your entire screen, making it useful when you’re trying to show a colleague what’s happening on your screen or share an error with IT support.

Other tabs and chat boxes will be visible in the screenshot, so close out anything that you don’t intend to share.

Here’s how:

• Press Command-Shift-3 to take a screenshot of the entire screen.
• The screenshot will appear as a PNG image on your desktop, which you can then upload to Slack, add to an email, etc.

3. Take a screenshot of an active page

Sometimes, you need to take a screenshot of a dynamic feature, such as a menu bar with an item selected.

Active screenshots are great for creating tutorials, documenting interactions with software or websites, or similar dynamic processes.

To copy a screenshot of an active page, follow these steps:

• Press Command-Shift-4 to change a pointer to a crosshair.
• Tap on the spacebar on your keyboard. The cursor will change to a camera.
• Select the active application window you want to capture by moving your cursor and highlighting the active window.
• Click the mouse button on the window you want to capture. The screenshot will appear as a PNG image on your desktop.

Alternatively, to paste the screenshot, navigate to the location you’d like to share the image (Slack, Teams, etc.) and press Command-V.

4. Create an adjustable screenshot

This shortcut allows you to take a much more customized screenshot by selecting the size or window to screenshot and accessing the recording button.

Here’s how:

• Press Command-Shift-5. A clip box will appear on your screen.
• Drag the corners of the box to select the sections you want to screenshot.
• Use the options at the bottom to adjust your screenshot. Select the entire screen, choose a different window, or use the recording button to take a video of all or a portion of your screen.
• The screenshot or recording file will appear on your desktop.

5. Take a screenshot of the Touch Bar  (if available)

In some cases, you may need to take a screenshot of the items in your Touch Bar.

While this is a less common application, it can be helpful if you are working with IT support or writing a detailed tutorial.

To take a screenshot of the Touch Bar, open System Preferences and select Keyboard.

Click on “Customize Control Strip” and drag the Screenshot button to your Touch Bar.

Use this button to take screenshots as needed.

What happens if the capture area tool isn’t working on macOS?

In some cases, the shortcuts above may not work. You press the buttons or make the clicks, but nothing happens.

There are a few reasons why this might happen — and it’s usually related to your settings.

Parallels Desktop users, for example, may find that updating their MacOS makes tools that worked previously stop working.

In this case, you’ll need to give Parallels Toolbox permission to record the screen. Here’s a walk-through on how to do this. 

If you are a Mac user, the issue might be your system settings. Start by navigating to the Apple menu, then select:

System setting > Keyboard > Keyboard shortcuts > Screenshots 

Make sure all the items on the list are checked off. Try the shortcuts above again, and you’ll likely find they work.

How do you take a screenshot on a Mac without pressing buttons?

What if you don’t have a keyboard or your keyboard isn’t working? Good news —you can still take a screenshot using just your mouse!

Here’s how:

• Select the Finder icon in your Dock (that’s the little blue and gray face).
• Choose “Applications,” then find the “Utilities” folder.
• Within the Utilities folder, you’ll see a camera icon labeled “Screenshot.” Double click.
• The tool will open, allowing you to use the same options as Command-Shift-5, including adjusting your screenshot, taking a recording, and other actions.

Another option is to add a screenshot tool to your Touch Bar:

• Navigate to System Preferences > Keyboard > Customize Control Strip.
• Drag and drop the screenshot button to the Touch Bar.

How do you take a Mac screenshot using the keyboard?

The simplest way to take a screenshot on a Mac is to use the shortcut Command-Shift-3. This method allows you to adjust the size and shape of the screenshot.

Command-Shift-5 provides the most options, as it allows you to record, choose a different window, and select the size of the screen grab.

Alternatively, you can add the screenshot button to your Touch Bar, as described in the section above.

Save your screenshots directly to your clipboard on Mac

Want to save your screenshots to your clipboard to copy and paste elsewhere? You can save your screenshots directly to your clipboard instead of saving them as files on your desktop.

This is useful if you want to paste the screenshot into another application, such as an email, document, or image editor.

Here’s how to accomplish that:

• To capture your entire screen and save it to your clipboard, press Control + Shift + Command (⌘) + 3.
• For a selected portion, press Control + Shift + Command (⌘) + 4, then select the desired area.
• For a specific window, press Control + Shift + Command (⌘) + 4, then press the Spacebar, then click the window.

Then you can paste the screenshot into your document or image editor using Command (⌘) + V.

Streamline your day by mastering the Mac screenshot

The screenshot option on Macs is a small but mighty tool. It can be used for sharing funny memes, improving collaboration at work, or sharing moments of creativity. However, you use it, knowing these shortcuts and screenshot tricks will help you work faster and more efficiently.

Supercharge your workflow with Parallels Toolbox for Windows and Mac. Use it to optimize your PC, reclaim disk space, and much more. Try it free for 14 days.  

Cloud technologies dominate today’s digital landscape, so it is no surprise that cyber threats have evolved in response.

Accordingly, the Zero Trust model — built on the principle of “never trust, always verify” — has become a crucial element of cybersecurity, particularly for organizations leveraging cloud architecture. Zero Trust offers better visibility, consistent and comprehensive security, and the speed and agility necessary to combat rapidly evolving cyber threats.

I’ll explore five key strategies for integrating Zero Trust into the fabric of your cloud infrastructure, ensuring your data remains secure and your operations resilient. I’ll also delve into the criteria for assessing the impact of Zero Trust strategies on your organization.

If you’re ready to start your Zero Trust journey, get a free trial of Parallels Secure Workspace and Parallels Browser Isolation.

Key criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of Zero Trust strategies

Let’s kick off our discussion on integrating Zero Trust into cloud architecture by establishing some evaluation criteria. Consider the following three criteria to determine if an approach is effective.

1. Security

The foremost priority is to assess how well the strategy enhances the cloud environments’ security. A solid strategy prevents unauthorized access, detects threats in real time, and responds to security incidents effectively.

2. End-user experience

It’s essential to ensure that security measures do not make the user experience overly complex. Strategies should allow seamless access to necessary resources with minimal disruption to daily activities, thus maintaining or improving productivity.

3. IT admin management efficiency

Evaluate security strategies based on how they impact IT admin efficiency. The evaluation criteria include ease of deployment, ongoing management, and the ability of IT staff to maintain oversight without excessive overhead. By examining each strategy against these criteria, we can ensure that your Zero Trust approach secures the cloud environment and supports positive user experiences and efficient IT management.

1. Identity and access management (IAM)

Comprehensive IAM Solutions

The cornerstone of Zero Trust is robust identity verification. Implementing multifactor authentication (MFA), role-based access control (RBAC), and least privilege security policies ensure that only verified users have access to your network and only to the resources they need.

Identity Providers (IdPs) such as Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, and PingFederate play a crucial role in smoothly linking different apps and boosting security with OpenID Connect (OIDC). OIDC enhances authentication, allowing only authorized users access.

Effectiveness

• Security. IAM enhances security by controlling access with MFA, RBAC, and least privilege policies, using IdPs like Okta for smooth app integration. For legacy systems, use tools like Parallels Secure Workspace for secure single sign-on integration. This setup enhances security by seamlessly integrating modern and legacy systems.

• End-user experience. IAM can complicate access with additional security steps but streamlines it via single sign-on capabilities across applications.

• IT admin management efficiency. IAM reduces IT workload by automating access control and user verification, improving administrative efficiency and system control.

Use case: Consider a healthcare provider managing access to sensitive patient records. By integrating MFA and RBAC, the provider ensures that only authorized personnel can access specific data based on their roles, significantly mitigating the risk of data breaches.

2. Network Segmentation

Microsegmentation

This strategy involves segmenting your cloud network into smaller, highly secure zones.

Employing a secure intra-network gateway enhances control over resource access within these zones, mitigating unauthorized movements across the network. If one segment is compromised, the breach’s impact remains confined to that segment alone, thus preserving the integrity of the rest of your network and safeguarding critical resources.

Effectiveness

• Security. Microsegmentation confines security breaches to small areas, reducing overall risk and protecting critical network resources efficiently.

• End-user experience. Minimal impact on user experience; maintains regular access to necessary resources without interruption.

• IT admin management efficiency. Enhances control and simplifies network traffic monitoring, improving response to threats and maintenance efficiency.

Use case: A manufacturing firm operates two networks—a locally managed administrative network and a headquarters-controlled production network. Historically, accessing applications and data across these networks was a lot of work for local staff.

By implementing a secure intra-network gateway, the company now enables seamless and secure access to the production network, enhancing efficiency and reducing overhead. Parallels Secure Workspace serves as a secure gateway, facilitating streamlined access to data and applications on the production network. It also allows for secure, audited sharing of documents with external contacts, eliminating the need for local installations. Users can access this gateway through any browser on any device.

3. Continuous monitoring and analytics

Audit tools are essential for real-time anomaly detection and response, which is critical for maintaining transparency and enforcing dynamic security measures. These tools provide in-depth insights into user activities and potential threats.

Effectiveness

• Security: Audit tools enable real-time anomaly detection and response, significantly enhancing network security and threat mitigation.

• End-user experience: Minimal impact on users, maintaining system transparency while safeguarding data integrity.

• IT Admin management efficiency: Improves IT productivity by automating threat detection and security responses and streamlining administrative tasks.

Use case: A financial institution uses remote browser isolation to boost security when accessing cloud-based financial tools. This approach protects against cyber threats by isolating each browsing session and monitoring usage in real time.

4. Embracing the hybrid cloud

A hybrid approach is essential for balancing security and functionality. It allows organizations to keep sensitive data and confidential operations securely on-premises, minimizing exposure to external threats while leveraging cloud solutions for less critical business operations.

This setup enhances operational flexibility, scales resources efficiently, and ensures compliance with data protection regulations, providing a strategic mix of security and accessibility to meet diverse business needs.

Effectiveness

• Security. Keeps sensitive data on-premises, reducing exposure to external threats while using cloud resources for less critical tasks.

• End-user experience. Enhances flexibility and accessibility, seamlessly integrating on-premises and cloud resources for a smoother user experience. Utilizing Parallels Secure Workspace further elevates this by offering a unified workspace where users can access both on-premises and cloud applications through a single platform, simplifying navigation and improving productivity.

• IT admin management efficiency. Improves resource scalability and compliance management, streamlining operations and ensuring data protection efficiently.

Use case: An e-commerce company employs a secure workspace solution to integrate its on-premises inventory management with cloud-based customer service applications. This strategy ensures seamless and secure access, enabling the company to manage sensitive data internally while leveraging the cloud for less critical operations.

5. Enhancing the user experience with a browser-based unified secure workspace

With the rise of remote work and the proliferation of SaaS and web applications, users need a reliable, simple way to access their work tools.

The Zero Trust model can extend through an entire virtual workspace, resulting in a unified access gateway that facilitates secure, browser-based access to business applications, SaaS platforms, web apps, and even entire desktops, all without the need to install any new software. This solution ensures that users experience frictionless access to their applications while maintaining high-security standards.

Effectiveness

• Security. Extends Zero Trust to virtual workspaces, ensuring high security across all accessed applications without additional installations.

• End-user experience. Offers smooth, browser-based access to work tools from any browser, on any device, and from anywhere, boosting convenience and productivity for remote work.

• IT admin management efficiency or productivity. Reduces IT workload related to software installations and updates, streamlining application access management.

Use case: Consider the needs of a multinational corporation with employees spread across various regions, including remote and on-site workers. By implementing a unified secure workspace solution, the company allows its employees to securely access essential financial, HR, and operational cloud applications via any web browser.

This capability is particularly advantageous during travel or when employees log in via insecure public networks. This seamless integration ensures that all employees, regardless of location or device, have consistent and secure access to their work environments.

Why Zero Trust is essential for cloud architecture

Integrating Zero Trust into your cloud architecture is a necessity, not just a nice-to-have upgrade. By applying these five strategies, organizations can thoroughly protect their data and infrastructure, transforming their cloud environments into secure digital strongholds.

Tools like Parallels Secure Workspace and Parallels Browser Isolation empower your organization to address immediate security challenges while building a more secure and resilient digital future.

Among these enhancements are expanded go-to-market opportunities for our partners to promote Parallels RAS and extended support for Nutanix AHV for the latest image management features.

Additionally, there are improved security measures, newly introduced customizable administrative options, and improved end-user functionality. Now, let’s take a closer look at the exciting additions in Parallels RAS 19.4.

New go-to-market (GTM) opportunity for partners

Extended GTM route for partners with Azure Marketplace listing (coming soon)

Parallels RAS is now listed as a transactional offering in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace in addition to the current bring your own license (BYOL) listing. This enables Parallels RAS to be more accessible and efficient through deployment automation.

Parallels partners can benefit through private offerings and simplified selling through personalized offerings, allowing for easier access and connecting Parallels solutions with businesses and organizations across the globe.

Provisioning and Automation

Extended image management for Nutanix AHV (AOS)

We’re thrilled to announce a significant expansion of our image management capabilities, initially introduced in the 19.3 release. It is now available for Microsoft Azure, Azure Virtual Desktop, Hyper-V and VMware vCenter, and ESXi and includes support for Nutanix AHV (AOS).

This is a pivotal step forward, enabling businesses considering migration to Nutanix to do so seamlessly with Parallels RAS. This comprehensive support encompasses a suite of powerful features, including template versioning, enhanced image lifecycle management facilitated by tags, and convenient template scheduling functionalities.

By extending our support to Nutanix AHV, we’re providing organizations with unparalleled flexibility to select their preferred infrastructure. This empowerment enables businesses to tailor their virtual environments precisely to their unique needs and preferences.

Find out more about the latest image management features with our Tech Bytes videos.

Support for scale computing SC//HyperCore 9.2

With Parallels RAS 19.4, integration with SC//HyperCore 9.2 is now available as a provider option. This enables organizations to use the latest supported SC//HyperCore versions 9.1 and 9.2 with Parallels RAS to automate provisioning, scaling, and power management of session host workloads.

Streamlined admin experience with Agent Auto-Upgrade

Managing upgrades across numerous backend session hosts can be daunting for IT administrators. To alleviate this challenge, Parallels RAS 19.4 introduces Agent Auto-upgrade, a feature that automates the upgrading of RDSH, VDI, AVD, and Remote PC (within a host pool) guest agents according to a maintenance schedule set by the IT administrator.

Whether operating on-premises, in the cloud, or in hybrid environments, this functionality simplifies upgrades, enabling administrators to focus on more strategic initiatives while ensuring all endpoints remain up to date.

Continuous improvement of template versioning

Building upon our commitment to improvement and optimization, the latest release of Parallels RAS includes several updates aimed at enhancing template versioning capabilities.

These improvements are designed to optimize the IT administrator experience, ensuring more seamless management and better version control for virtualization templates.

Security

Self-service registration for email-based one-time passwords (OTPs)

Security remains a top priority in today’s digital landscape. Accordingly, Parallels RAS 19.4 introduces a new, robust multi-factor authentication option with email OTP.

This feature provides organizations with an additional layer of security by delivering one-time passwords directly to user email addresses. Even external email addresses not stored in the company’s Active Directory are supported, ensuring comprehensive protection against unauthorized access. This capability provides a simple yet efficient use of email-based OTPs without relying on complex, third-party dependencies services.

Validate host headers

We have introduced HTTP host header validation at the gateway. This validation process serves to mitigate vulnerabilities associated with HTTP host header injection, enhancing the overall security posture of our platform.

With this feature implementation, administrators gain comprehensive control over custom HTTP host headers with the high availability load balancers and secure gateways being automatically included in the approved list.

Activation of this feature ensures that any request lacking a recognized host header from the specified list will result in a 404 error, thereby fortifying our defenses against potential security breaches originating from unauthorized host headers.

Configuring certificate authority templates

Administrators of Parallels RAS for organizations using SAML for their enrollment servers can now leverage a larger key size for security purposes.

This new feature enables the configuration of the PrlsEnrollmentAgent and the PrlsSmartcardLogon certificate templates used by the Enrollment Server at a minimum key size of 4096 bits. Previously, the minimum key size was 2048 bits.

User experience

Enhanced user experience with multi-monitor support

End-users leveraging the Parallels Client for Web will benefit from enhanced productivity with the introduction of multi-monitor support.

This feature empowers users to fully utilize all available displays during published sessions, whether they’re working within an application or in a desktop environment. By maximizing screen real estate, multi-monitor support enhances the overall user experience, facilitating seamless multitasking and workflow efficiency.

New built-in reports

The Parallels RAS 19.4 release introduces new host pool reporting options for IT administrators, further improving its reporting capabilities. These new reports track areas in user sessions and include:

• Sessions disconnect for host pool

New reports are dedicated to monitoring session disconnects within host pools, akin to session activity reports for individual sessions.

• Transport protocol for host pool

New reports tailored to track the transport protocol usage within host pools, mirroring the functionality of session activity reports for host pools.

• Bandwidth availability for host pool

New reports focused on assessing bandwidth availability within host pools, providing insights like session activity reports but at the pool level.

• Latency for host pool

New reports aimed at measuring latency within host pools, offering analysis akin to session activity reports while focusing on pool-wide latency metrics.

• Connection quality for host pool

New reports designed to evaluate connection quality within host pools, providing insights like session activity reports but focusing on the overall connection quality across the pool.

• UX evaluator for host pool

New reports dedicated to assessing the user experience (UX) within host pools, offering insights like session activity reports but focusing on UX metrics at the pool level.

• Log-on duration for host pool

New reports aimed at analyzing logon duration within host pools, providing insights like session activity reports while focusing on pool-wide logon duration metrics.

SAML SSO capability

SAML SSO capability is now available when using Parallels RAS + Azure Virtual Desktop under the standard feature set.

Administration experience

Custom administration for tailored control

This feature introduces a custom menu under ‘Help’ within the RAS Console and allows customization of a URL in the management portal Support section.

This URL can redirect power or custom administrators to local or internal support or any other designated URL. It’s particularly beneficial for organizations that utilize Security Event and Incident Management frameworks, using local support to address IT tickets and enhance the efficiency of the support process.

Active Directory-based (AD) permissions for session management

Administrators can now define session management permissions tailored to Parallels custom administrators based on their AD group membership. This feature enhances the granularity of session management administration, ensuring that only designated administrators can oversee specific end-user sessions. This capability is particularly advantageous for service providers or larger enterprises with multiple designated help desk administrators.

View “license” permission options

This feature introduces a dedicated license view permission for administrators, available in both the RAS console and Web Management portal, tailored for both power and customer administrators. It provides the flexibility to restrict the visibility of certain license information from other administrators who have access to all license data.

Ready for Parallels RAS 19.4?

Parallels RAS continues to raise the bar with its feature offerings while ensuring the best possible admin and user experience.

From Nutanix AHV image management support to multi-factor authentication options and streamlined administrative controls, Parallels RAS empowers organizations to achieve greater efficiency, security, and flexibility in their virtual environments.

For a full list of features, refer to the Parallels RAS 19.4 release notes.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

1. What is the release date for 19.4?

The general availability date for Parallels RAS 19.4 is April 30, 2024.

2. What do I need to do to install the latest version of Parallels RAS?

IT managers can access the latest version of Parallels RAS through the management console two weeks after GA by going to Parallels RAS Console > Administration > Settings > Check now > Update and following the instructions from there. To access the new version immediately, managers can go to public downloads or through My Parallels Account.

3. Is there any supporting information to help me learn more about these features?

Yes, the best place for more information is in our 19.4 release notes.

Ready to explore what’s new in Parallels RAS 19.4? Get started here!

Organizations are evolving their workforce’s needs. That’s why 80% of companies are planning to adopt a hybrid work model.

For example, Alludo is remote-first, where employees can choose their primary workplace.

When my fellow Alludians need to, we can use alternative workspaces. For example, we can work in a regional Alludo office or a flexible ‘hotel-style’ workspace.

This hybrid work approach allows employees to choose their best working environment.

84% of Alludo employees reported that this flexible working arrangement improved work-life balance.

98% said remote work was more productive than when there was an office-based culture.

The number of remote workers will rise over the next five years, so hybrid work models will also grow.

Let’s explore hybrid work models and how Desktop as a Service (DaaS) solutions can play a critical role.

Enable hybrid work models by adapting DaaS. Talk to us about securing your remote employees with Parallels DaaS. 

Understanding hybrid work models

Hybrid work models are different from the traditional 9-to-5 office-based work.

Rather than be glued to their desks, employees can work from various locations, such as their homes, a coffee shop, or the office itself.

The hybrid work approach enables companies to support diverse work styles. Hybrid work improves employee satisfaction and productivity. It represents a fundamental change in how work is conceptualized and executed.   Hybrid work breaks down the barriers of time and space that once confined productivity.

Hybrid work models also provide a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent.   Candidates choose flexibility and work-life balance when evaluating job opportunities.

They are looking for companies that show they understand and value their need for flexibility, making them more attractive employers.  Nearly 70% of companies agree that adopting a hybrid model improves recruitment and retention of employees.

Source: Survey of Business Uncertainty conducted by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Stanford University, and the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. 

By adopting hybrid work models, organizations can better serve the needs of their employees.   The need for autonomy and flexibility to perform their best work allows companies to remain competitive and successful in today’s marketplace.

Challenges of hybrid work

Hybrid work models are becoming popular due to their many benefits.  Still, this model also presents several challenges, especially in technology and collaboration.

One of the most significant challenges is ensuring that remote and in-office employees have equal access to the tools, resources, and applications required to perform their jobs efficiently.

Access is usually standardized across all employees in a traditional office setting.

However, it can be challenging to maintain equality in a hybrid work environment, leading to inefficiencies and frustration.

To overcome this challenge, companies should invest in technological solutions that enable easy access to essential tools and resources, regardless of location.

By adopting cloud-based platforms and collaboration tools, employees can easily access these resources from any device with an internet connection.

Another significant challenge of hybrid work is maintaining security, compliance, and data integrity across different work environments.

With employees accessing sensitive information from various locations and devices, organizations face increased cybersecurity risks, including data breaches, malware attacks, and insider threats.

To mitigate these risks, organizations must implement comprehensive security measures that protect remote and in-office environments.

Some measures may include deploying endpoint security solutions, implementing multi-factor authentication, and conducting regular security training and awareness programs for employees.

Additionally, organizations must ensure compliance with relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, to protect sensitive data and avoid regulatory penalties.

The final challenge that a hybrid work model can bring is fostering collaboration across distances.

Collaboration is essential for the success of any organization.

Still, it can be challenging to maintain in a hybrid work environment where employees are physically dispersed, and spontaneous interactions and face-to-face communication are not directly available to remote employees.

Companies must leverage technological solutions to overcome this and facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among distributed teams.

These solutions may include video conferencing platforms, instant messaging tools, and project management software that enable real-time communication and collaboration regardless of location.

Fostering a collaborative culture through regular team meetings, virtual social events, and collaborative projects can help strengthen bonds and drive collective success.

Leveraging DaaS for seamless integration

Desktop as a Service solutions offer a compelling solution to the challenges posed by hybrid work models.

By delivering virtual desktops and applications over the Internet, DaaS ensures that employees can access their work environment from anywhere, using any device.

Companies can benefit from the flexibility to seamlessly integrate remote and in-office work environments, enabling employees to work efficiently and collaboratively regardless of location.

1. Flexibility

DaaS provides high flexibility for employees, enabling them to work from anywhere with an internet connection.

Using DaaS removes the need for employees to worry about whether the technological infrastructure is in place wherever they may be working.

2. Consistency

DaaS ensures employees have the consistency essential to productivity and continuity when working in hybrid environments. It enables employees to access their desktops and applications the same way, regardless of whether they are in the office or working remotely.

3. Collaboration

DaaS facilitates seamless collaboration among remote and in-office teams by providing a centralized platform for accessing shared files, applications, and resources.

A centralized platform ensures employees can access the files they need quickly and easily, wherever they may be working from.

4. Security

One of the most significant benefits of DaaS is its robust security features. DaaS solutions offer a range of security features, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and centralized access controls, to protect sensitive information across hybrid work environments.

With DaaS, businesses can be confident that their data is secure, even when employees work remotely.

5. Scalability

DaaS solutions are highly scalable, allowing organizations to quickly adapt to changing workforce needs.

Scalability is essential in hybrid work environments, where businesses must scale their infrastructure up or down quickly and efficiently to meet demand.

With DaaS, businesses can quickly add or remove users as needed without worrying about the technical infrastructure required to support them.

Hybrid work models are becoming increasingly common as companies adapt to changing workforce needs.

DaaS solutions are proving to be essential in enabling the seamless integration between remote and in-office work environments, allowing companies to offer their employees the flexibility to work remotely and collaborate effectively, leading to success in a dynamic work environment.

The future of work is still evolving, and DaaS is expected to play a crucial role in driving innovation and productivity in hybrid work environments.

Parallels DaaS is your secure platform that supports hybrid work

Whether your employees are working from the office or remotely, Parallels® DaaS offers seamless access to virtual applications and desktop environments.

Its cloud-hosted control plane enables secure remote access to your business applications, desktops, and data from any internet-connected device.

The solution’s quick and easy onboarding process allows for immediate access to applications and desktops from any device, eliminating the complexity surrounding user onboarding and managing users and applications.   This makes it easier for even small businesses to deliver and use enterprise-grade IT solutions.

Thanks to its unique architecture, with access points closer to where data and users reside, Parallels DaaS promises the best performance for end-users, with transparent operations for administrators.

So, if you’re looking for a solution that can help you embrace hybrid work and enable your employees to work productively from anywhere, check out Parallels DaaS.