1. Parallels Desktop 10 For Mac High Sierra
2. Parallels Desktop 13 For Mac High Sierra
3. Microsoft For Mac High Sierra

Virtualization software firm Parallels launched Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac on Tuesday, with the upgraded software introducing compatibility with macOS High Sierra, the Windows Fall Creators Update, and support for the Touch Bar on the Retina MacBook Pro.

The steady, not revolutionary, progression of MacOS reflects a maturing system software. The latest edition of Apple's desktop operating system -- MacOS High Sierra -- offers significant behind-the-scenes improvements that should make the OS much more stable and secure.

And when you decide to make the jump to High Sierra, be sure you have a current backup of your hard drive in case something goes wrong.

• Quick Look review of Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac. PD12 Features. PD12 has many new features, but I won’t go into all of them in detail in this Quick Look review.
• Optimized and ready for macOS High Sierra and the Windows 10 Creators Update, Parallels Desktop 13 for Mac allows you to run Windows 10, 8.1, and 7, as well as Linux, Google Chrome OS, and other operating systems on your Mac without rebooting.

Parallels Desktop 10 For Mac High Sierra

Why Should I Upgrade to the Latest Version of MacOS?

You certainly don't have to keep your Mac up to date. But with each revision, Apple works to make MacOS more secure and more stable. So unless you can't upgrade your system, you should consider updating your Mac. And if you do decide to install the latest version of MacOS, make sure you have a current backup of the contents of your drive in case something goes wrong.

What Is the Mac Operating System?

MacOS is Apple's Unix-based operating system that has been running on Macs since 2001. It traces its roots to Apple's acquisition of NeXT in 1996, which brought Steve Jobs back to the company he founded, along with the software that formed the foundation of MacOS. MacOS comes with a collection of apps and utilities, including Safari, Mail, iTunes, Photos, FaceTime, Time Machine, and Siri. And through the App Store, you can find apps from Apple and third-party developers. The OS comes installed on all new Macs and is available as a free download from the App Store.

Can I Run Other OSes on My Mac?

Parallels Desktop 13 For Mac High Sierra

Through Apple's Boot Camp utility or a virtual machine such as Parallels or VMware, you can run Windows on your Mac. VMware also lets you install a flavor of Unix or another copy of MacOS. The VMs don't come with a licensed copy of Windows, so you need to buy a copy, yourself.

When Should I Upgrade to High Sierra, and Should I Make a Backup?

Microsoft For Mac High Sierra

With High Sierra, one of the biggest changes is to the Mac's file system. Called Apple File System, MacOS's new file system for flash storage will more efficiently track and organize files on SSD drives, Apple said. Swapping in a new file system is a big deal, however: The last time Apple did this for the Mac was 20 years ago. So unless you *need* to update, wait and let Apple and High Sierra's early adopters shake out the new OS before you make the move. And when you do decide to install the latest version of MacOS, make sure you make a current backup of the contents of your drive -- using Time Machine, Carbon Copy Cloner, or Acronis, for example -- in case something goes wrong.