Chromebooks are becoming more widespread. Some global PC makers are even launching separate lines of computers running Chrome OS that target corporate customers. It is really convenient: a relatively low price, a limited set of only the most essential applications, convenient administration via the Google console. But like macOS, Google's operating system has one major drawback. It cannot run Windows applications.
Chromebooks
For the first time chromebooks (chromebook) appeared in 2011. For nine years in this family many different models have materialized, and the idea of what kind of computer it is are already well established. They do not have high performance, have small solid-state drives (most often SSDs in the M.2 form factor are used, they are also enough to store some user files locally), a limited amount of RAM. More is required to run Chrome OS and applications from Google Play.
The main purpose of Chromebooks is to work with Google apps and services. The ideal Chromebook user would be a company whose main work tool is G Suite. For everything else, there is web access to corporate services through a browser (of course - Chrome). Accordingly, for full-fledged work in this mode, you need constant access to the Web, the possibilities of offline work in Chrome OS are available, but are very limited.
The downsides of Chromebooks are significant, but are largely outweighed by the cheapness and perfect fit with the "only need" approach, coupled with IT's clear drive towards the cloud. And again, the main disadvantage of Chromebooks is the inaccessibility of Windows applications.
Parallels Desktop
Overcoming platform limitations and being able to run Windows applications is a long-standing dream for macOS and Linux users. This is not a whim. Windows ecosystem is really rich, moreover, many popular applications run only on this platform. If we were only talking about games, the problem would not be so acute. But many corporate applications are written for Windows; drivers and utilities for peripheral devices are primarily released for it.
Linux operating systems solve this problem using emulators. And at the disposal of makovodov there is a proven, trouble-free and therefore the most popular solution - Parallels Desktop. Everything is simple and efficient in it: under macOS, without rebooting, a virtual machine with Windows starts, and in it - applications that, in addition, gain access to user data and are tightly integrated with the main OS.
Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise
Now a holiday called Parallels Desktop has come to the street of Chromebook users. In mid-October 2020, Parallels, which became part of Corel a couple of years ago, released Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS Enterprise. The name indicates that it is focused on corporate use. It can be assumed that this is how Chromebooks are mainly used.
The release has clearly become a key one for Parallels. The news of the launch of Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise has been framed in all the canons of launching a product of the highest importance to the company. John Solomon, Google VP of Chrome OS, and, on behalf of Chromebook makers, VP and CEO of Cloud Clients at HP Inc. Maulik Pandia. By the way, he promised that the novelty will even be pre-installed on HP Elite Chromebooks.
The history of Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise is still too short to give a detailed description of the product. But he, it seems, can really change the attitude towards Chromebooks in general and ideas about their capabilities in particular.
What Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS Can Do
The principle of the application is the same as in the case of macOS. It launches a virtual machine through which the user has access to all Windows applications. At the same time, Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS provides a number of pleasant and useful features.
First, thanks to Parallels, you can now install any Windows application on your Chromebook. And this is the main feature of Desktop, because, with all the advantages of G Suite, this package is not yet able to surpass Microsoft Office in terms of convenience and capabilities. And, if macOS users before the advent of Parallels Desktop at least had their own version of the Microsoft office, then Chrome OS users are left with nothing but a limited version of Office Online and Googlelock.
Secondly, using Desktop for Chromebooks, you can simultaneously run several applications both under Chrome OS and under Windows with the ability to switch from one to another and transfer data between them.
Thirdly, you can save documents using Parallels Desktop on the disk of the Chromebook itself, in the Windows cloud, and in the Chrome OS cloud. Interestingly, the Windows user profile is integrated with Chrome OS and the library folders are simultaneously accessible from both operating systems.
The most important feature of Parallels Desktop for Chrome OS is the ability to fully work offline. Sitting at a text or a table is often appropriate during a trip, and it is not always possible to get broadband access remotely. So this Desktop feature will be very popular for chrome users.
Fifth. Parallels has taken care of proper screen scaling. A Windows window can be maximized to full screen mode or scaled by dragging its edge. In this case, the resolution in which Windows is running will automatically adjust to the new window sizes. Another nice visual detail is the changing shape of the cursor. You can use it at any time to understand which of the operating systems you are working on right now.
Integrated features of Windows and Chrome OS and when assigning default applications. Depending on the file type, you can assign a Windows application to open it in Chrome OS.
And finally, there is administration. You can prepare a Windows instance for virtual machine deployment for both an individual user and a workgroup. In the second case, connections to domains, group policies, etc. will be supported. And you can administer each of the devices from the Google panel.
Chromebook is now a full computer
Thus, Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise significantly expands the capabilities of Chromebooks, transforming them into the category of computers for full-fledged work, and not just surfing the Internet. All Windows applications required for business can now be run on them, giving companies even more choice of devices for their work.