To refresh your memory, the A18 Pro runs in the iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, and Apple’s newly released MacBook Neo, and assuming that the SoC wasn’t capable of running a fully-functional desktop operating system, the company would never have selected it in the first place.
However, there’s another feat achieved by the silicon, and the developers behind Parallels have confirmed that the A18 Pro can run Windows, while also mentioning its limitations. Those who haven’t quite caught what we’re referring to should realize that the MacBook Neo is capable of running Windows 11, but they must exercise caution when performing intensive workloads.
Parallels recommends limiting the use of CPU and GPU-intensive workloads on the MacBook Neo, as the A18 Pro will throttle aggressively
In one of its posts, the developers tasked with offering a solution that can run a virtualized version of Windows on the MacBook Neo have clarified that the $599 notebook can boot up the operating system. However, they have also provided details regarding the kind of experience users will witness when firing up Windows. The team continues to test the platform on the MacBook Neo, suggesting that performance tweaking could be required.
“Parallels Desktop runs on MacBook Neo in basic usability testing. The Parallels Engineering team has completed initial testing and confirmed that Parallels Desktop installs and virtual machines operate stably on MacBook Neo. Full validation and performance testing is ongoing, and additional compatibility statement will follow if required.”
Like the M5 MacBook Air, the MacBook Neo relies on a passive cooling solution to dissipate heat, which should be plentiful for the A18 Pro, but there’s a glaring problem. With no cooling fan present, the affordable portable Mac will quickly reach thermal throttling, causing the A18 Pro’s CPU to downclock when running sustained CPU or GPU workloads. Parallels also recommends a machine with more unified memory when pursuing demanding workflows on Windows.
“MacBook Neo uses passive thermal management: the aluminum enclosure dissipates heat without a cooling fan. The A18 Pro was designed for a mobile device form factor and relies on this passive system under all workloads. During sustained CPU or GPU load, the chip will reduce clock speeds to stay within thermal limits.”
Despite Parallels stating that the compatibility of Windows 11 hasn’t been fully tested, a Reddit user with the handle Relative-Muffin-6431 demonstrates the MacBook Neo running the operating system. Assuming that performance is satisfactory on this Mac, we wouldn’t be surprised if customers completely ditch rival notebooks and purchase the MacBook Neo. If you have yet to purchase the $599 machine, you can secure your order from Amazon, or opt for the version with Touch ID and double the internal memory of 512GB for $699.
News Source: Parallels
About the author: Omar Sohail is a reporter and analyst for Wccftech's mobile section, specializing in the technology and business of the mobile industry. His expertise lies in the intricate hardware supply chain, covering developments in semiconductor manufacturing, chip lithography, and camera sensor technology.
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