# Is Parallels the best option for a mac right now?

**URL:** <https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248>\
**Category:** Rhino for Mac\
**Created:** [September 5, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248 "2018-09-05T16:20:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andym](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/andym/32/168515_2.png) [@andym](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/andym)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 4:20pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/1 "2018-09-05T16:20:54Z")

</div>

First off…Rhino is my favorite tool I ever used! I run 5 and ran 4 on Windows.

The ONLY reason I need a pc is to run Rhino. I’ve tried the mac wip and prefer the Windows interface, hands down. I tinker with Grasshopper and paneling tools, but would love to get more proficient at it

I started drafting with autocad, so I love the command prompt…and overall stripped down feel to running Rhino5 on my PC.

Now that 6 for windows is out…just wondering what the most solid way to run at this is.  
A coworker is running Parallels but I’m wondering if that is the best route.  
Does that reduce performance or features?

I would love to run native on the mac, but I’m pretty locked in to how it feels in v.5 on my pc.

Much appreciated!

Andy in Seattle

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![John\_Brock](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/john_brock/32/476283_2.png) [@John\_Brock](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/John_Brock)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/2 "2018-09-05T16:24:43Z")

</div>

Parallels is Not supported.  
[https://www.rhino3d.com/6/system\_requirements](https://www.rhino3d.com/6/system_requirements)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ChrisK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/chrisk/32/43358_2.png) [@ChrisK](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ChrisK)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 4:24pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/3 "2018-09-05T16:24:59Z")

</div>

Well, I began with VersaCad 1984. Never touched a Mac. My understanding is that McNeel only supports bootcamp, not parallels.🐼

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andym](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/andym/32/168515_2.png) [@andym](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/andym)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/4 "2018-09-05T17:04:07Z")

</div>

Versacad 84! Nice!

Been at this for awhile…but not that long.  
I did however make blueprints before you could have a machine do it!

We do print for fabric tension frame systems…I have to jump into adobe apps a lot.  
They just run nicer on a mac.

Illustrator and rhino make a great duo!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andym](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/andym/32/168515_2.png) [@andym](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/andym)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 5:10pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/5 "2018-09-05T17:10:36Z")

</div>

Thank you, sir.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ec2638](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/ec2638/32/478589_2.png) [@ec2638](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/ec2638)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2018, 11:19pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/6 "2018-09-05T23:19:36Z")

</div>

Bootcamp is the only ‘solid’ method of running the Windows version on a Mac, since doing so is essentially a real native PC.

You may customize the Mac version to mimic the Windows version. The video below is a start. You can go deeper. I assure you that you can get close enough to overcome any brain solidification…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stevebaer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevebaer/32/473567_2.png) [@stevebaer](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevebaer)\
**Post date:** [September 6, 2018, 12:39am UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/7 "2018-09-06T00:39:46Z")

</div>

> [@andym](#):
>
> Now that 6 for windows is out…just wondering what the most solid way to run at this is.  
> A coworker is running Parallels but I’m wondering if that is the best route.  
> Does that reduce performance or features?

Performance and display features will be reduced in virtualization systems like Parallels. For running the Windows version of Rhino, boot camp will give you the best performance, then VMWare fusion and finally Parallels will be worst. VMWare Fusion supports a higher level of OpenGL features than Parallels which makes a big difference.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andym](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/andym/32/168515_2.png) [@andym](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/andym)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 5:30pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/8 "2018-09-13T17:30:04Z")

</div>

Is the mac version compatible with grasshopper? Paneling tools?  
I’m sure running the mac version would be my best option.

Thanks!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![andym](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/andym/32/168515_2.png) [@andym](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/andym)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 5:31pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/9 "2018-09-13T17:31:08Z")

</div>

Only makes sense.

Appreciate the input!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![stevebaer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/mcneel/user_avatar/discourse.mcneel.com/stevebaer/32/473567_2.png) [@stevebaer](https://discourse.mcneel.com/u/stevebaer)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2018, 5:35pm UTC](https://discourse.mcneel.com/t/is-parallels-the-best-option-for-a-mac-right-now/70248/10 "2018-09-13T17:35:08Z")

</div>

> [@andym](#):
>
> Is the mac version compatible with grasshopper? Paneling tools?

Yes, both grasshopper and paneling tools are available in the Mac version.