Last month, Google announced a partnership with Parallels to bring Windows apps to Chrome OS. Today’s interview provided a high-level overview of how this works and what will be required.
Speaking to The edgeGoogle explained how “Parallels Desktop will start a full copy of Windows” for the initial implementation of this feature. Just like when virtualizing on Mac, the entire Windows desktop will appear in a native Chrome OS window.
Complete with a top bar to minimize, full screen and close controls, it will look like any other browser tab or Android app. In a sign of deep integration, opening certain Windows files will automatically send you to the Parallels instance.
However, in the future, Google will have “other types of things where you won’t even have to run the entire Windows desktop, it will simply run the application you need.”
In terms of implementation, companies, the intended customer, will have to purchase Parallels Desktop, which will be available as an option in the Chrome Enterprise Upgrade program and, of course, a Windows license.
Meanwhile, Parallels is targeting Chromebooks used “for power use,” with Google targeting an Intel Core i5 or Core i7. The RAM requirements will differ depending on whether your device has a fan (8GB) or whether it has no fan (16GB). This is a somewhat limiting restriction that will put the feature further at the enterprise level, rather than K-12 customers. The final hardware requirements have not yet been released.
Google today confirmed its work on Project Campfire for dual-boot Windows and Chrome OS before partnering with Parallels. The team closed that effort last year, as they did not want to sacrifice the Chrome OS security model (BIOS, firmware, and boot process).
Ultimately, Google wants to make Chromebooks viable for businesses that still need a legacy Windows app but are primarily moving to the cloud. A launch is still slated for later this year, while Google has a registration form for more information.
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