Parallels, a major virtualization software manufacturer, recently confirmed that it is equipped with the iPhone 16 Pro series. A18 Pro chip, in theory, has the ability to run a complete ARM version of the Windows operating system. This processor is also used in Apple’s latest affordable notebook MacBook Neo. Foreign netizens have tested that it can start Windows 11 (ARM version) through Parallels Desktop virtualization technology. However, the development team also issued a stern warning: due to the limitations of passive cooling design, long-term high-load operation will cause severe frequency reduction, and is only suitable for “occasional use.”
MacBook Neo with mobile processor can run Windows 11
The Apple A18 Pro chip was originally designed as the processor of the iPhone 16 Pro series. Its architecture design was originally optimized for mobile devices, and the memory can only be equipped with 8GB RAM. However, Apple will use this chip in its newly launched affordable laptops MacBook Neo(priced at NT$19,990), but because the performance is already sufficient, it is not surprising that it is used to run Windows. Some netizens have previously used the iPad to run Windows 11 smoothly in the unrestricted UTM HV emulator (requires jailbreak) (but using the UTM SE version will be surprisingly slow).
The Parallels development team recently released a technical announcement, officially confirming that MacBook Neo can run Windows 11 through Parallels Desktop virtualization software. The team has completed preliminary testing and confirmed that there are no problems with software installation and virtual machine operation.
“Parallels Desktop worked well in basic usability testing on MacBook Neo,” the Parallels engineering team said. “We have completed preliminary testing and confirmed that Parallels Desktop can be installed normally and the virtual machine runs stably on MacBook Neo. Full verification and performance testing are still in progress, and additional compatibility statements will be issued if necessary.”
Flaws of passive cooling and 8GB RAM: performance underclocking becomes the biggest bottleneck
While technically possible, Parallels offers clear warnings about user experience. Unlike the MacBook Air M5, which has an active cooling fan, the MacBook Neo relies entirely on Passive cooling design:The aluminum alloy body conducts heat naturally, and there is no cooling fan inside the body.
This design may be sufficient on mobile devices (such as iPhone), but its limitations are exposed when applied to running desktop-class operating systems. Parallels technical documentation states:
「MacBook Neo 採用被動式熱管理：鋁合金機身在所有工作負載下都依靠這套無風扇系統進行散熱。A18 Pro 原本為行動裝置尺寸設計，依賴這套被動系統。在持續的 CPU 或 GPU 負載期間，晶片將會降低時脈速度以維持在溫度限制內。」
In a nutshell, this means that when users try to run Windows on MacBook Neo and perform video editing, 3D rendering, or other CPU/GPU-intensive tasks, the A18 Pro will be forced to underclock due to overheating, and with only 8GB of RAM, the performance will drop significantly. (Normal people wouldn’t want to run these under Windows 11 in the simulator, would they? The native Mac version is smoother)
Reddit user’s real-life demonstration: Windows 11 runs successfully
Although Parallels said that the compatibility of Windows 11 has not yet been fully tested, some brave people have taken the lead in conducting actual verification. Reddit user Relative-Muffin-6431 Recently, a screenshot was released showing that its MacBook Neo successfully runs Windows 11, confirming that this technology is indeed feasible.
This post triggered heated discussions in the community. Some users believe that if the performance is satisfactory, MacBook Neo may become a “Trojan horse” for Windows users to switch to Apple’s ecosystem. At an affordable price of US$599, they can obtain a lightweight laptop that can run Windows while retaining the complete experience of macOS. However, more users have reservations about the actual performance of passive cooling. Running applications that are more resource-intensive than macOS in a Windows environment (such as Adobe series software or games) may cause this fanless machine to quickly reach the temperature wall.
However, many years ago, the Ada team had used an M1 Macbook Air with 8GB RAM to run Windows 11 with UTM and VMFusion. To be honest, it is not surprising at all. Moreover, the hardware performance of the A18 Pro processor actually exceeds that of the M1 (some projects surpass the M2), and the Beggar’s Edition Macbook from M1 to M3 has always started with 8GB RAM. There are also many people who use Windows 11 and run games without any problem (it is recommended to set the memory to more than 4GB RAM). The editor is curious about why the response abroad is so big (but the SSD speed of the Macbook Neo is too slow, and the experience when using the SWAP memory should be better than M1 poor).
summary
This time Parallels confirmed that the A18 Pro can run Windows 11, which is essentially a demonstration where “technical brilliance” is greater than “practical value”. It proves the powerful flexibility of Apple’s chip architecture: the same processor designed for mobile phones can drive the complete Windows operating system (ARM version). To be honest, the only limitation is Apple’s knife skills.
However, this usage still appeals to a certain group of people: users who occasionally need to run Windows-specific software, are on a budget, and want something lightweight and powerful. The 19,990 yuan MacBook Neo provides an entry-level option that’s “just enough”: as long as you don’t expect it to smoothly execute AAA games or 4K video editing.
Source: KOCPC Chinese