Windows on Chromebooks is set for an early grave, but Windows apps on ChromeOS hold onto the mantle

What you need to know

Parallels for ChromeOS makes it possible to run Windows apps on Chromebooks through a full virtual desktop.
No major updates have shipped to Parallels for ChromeOS in around 18 months, and the entire project is reportedly set to be discontinued.
Google purchased Cameyo recently, which makes it possible to run Windows apps on Chromebooks through Virtual App Delivery, which does not require a full virtual Windows desktop.

As someone who has been around the tech block a few times, it seems we are witnessing the ebb and flow of innovation yet again. Parallels for ChromeOS, once a beacon of hope for Chromebook enthusiasts seeking Windows app compatibility, now appears to be heading towards its twilight years. This isn’t entirely surprising, as 18 months without a major update is a long time in the fast-paced world of technology.

It seems that Parallels for Chrome OS, a tool allowing Chrome OS devices to run Windows applications, may soon be discontinued. According to a report by Chrome Unboxed, the service is expected to be shut down, with customers receiving official confirmation before the year ends. The source of this information indicated to Chrome Unboxed that Parallels for Chromebook has been largely ignored for quite some time.

For approximately 18 months now, there’s been no significant upgrade to the Parallels software for ChromeOS. The update that did occur was primarily aimed at enhancing performance on economical Intel and AMD processors. Google and Parallels collaborated in 2020 to introduce virtual Windows desktops on Chromebooks, but it seems this collaboration has come to an end.

Although Parallels for ChromeOS might no longer be available, the idea of running Windows applications on top-tier Chromebooks is still alive and well. A service like Cameyo, recently acquired by Google, employs Virtual App Delivery (VAD) to enable users to run Windows apps directly on ChromeOS. Instead of setting up a full virtual desktop, Cameyo allows you to run specific applications via VAD.

As a researcher studying the intersection of cloud computing and cross-platform application solutions, I observed that last year, Cameyo successfully integrated its Virtual Application Delivery (VAD) technology into Google’s Chrome OS. Given the subsequent decision by Google to acquire Cameyo, it appears that the integration was well-received within their organization. While VAD is a distinct method for running Windows applications on non-Windows devices, it offers a contrasting approach compared to virtual desktop solutions like Parallels. I am intrigued about how ChromeOS users might perceive Cameyo as an alternative or potential replacement for established solutions such as Parallels in the future.

Mario Zúñiga, IT Director at Sanmina’s Digital Workplace, stated last year that one major attraction to switching to ChromeOS was its strong emphasis on security. Now, with this integration and Cameyo’s built-in zero-trust security model, we can bolster our security measures even further. This way, employees can work securely from anywhere, using any device, with complete confidence.

Google frequently faces criticism for its numerous abandoned projects, but the ChromeOS collaboration with Parallels doesn’t fit into this category. Instead of abandoning one of its own projects and letting third parties take over, Google has chosen a different approach. Working together with Parallels, they aimed to make Windows applications compatible with Chromebooks. However, when Google’s team found what it believes is a superior solution, they continued their efforts in that direction.

For the time being, Cameyo’s Virtual Application Delivery (VAD) service is exclusively accessible to business clients. Similarly, Parallels for ChromeOS catered only to enterprise users. Fingers crossed, we may witness consumer-friendly methods of running Windows applications on Chromebooks in the future.

2024-10-10 15:39

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