Parallels M1 MacBook: The Reality of AAA Gaming

The excitement around the new M1-powered MacBook Pro was palpable, with many gamers eager to know if this device could finally deliver a seamless gaming experience. Unfortunately, our tests have revealed that the 16-inch M1 Max- powered MacBook Pro via Parallels is not yet ready for prime time when it comes to AAA gaming.

While some titles managed to run without issue, others failed to load or ran into compatibility problems. The inconsistency in performance was a major concern, and we found that even with the powerful M1 Max chip, running AAA PC games on this device was still a dicey proposition.

The root of the problem lies in the incompatibility between Microsoft and Apple products, which has been a known issue for some time now. As a virtual machine, Parallels is not designed specifically for gaming, which can lead to frustrating compatibility issues.

We tested several AAA titles on the MacBook Pro via Parallels and encountered mixed results. While 3DMark tests ran smoothly, other games like Far Cry New Dawn, Metro Exodus, and Grand Theft Auto V performed well. However, some titles like Borderlands 3 loaded but failed to run, while others like Assassin's Creed Valhalla, DiRT 5, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Red Dead Redemption 2 did not load at all.

In conclusion, while it is possible to run Parallels on the new MacBook Pro to play Windows games, the results are disappointing. The M1 Max chip, despite its impressive specs, cannot overcome the compatibility issues between Microsoft and Apple products. For now, gamers may want to consider other options for their gaming needs.

Parallels m1 macbook