Virtualization software in our range covers virtualisation licences and subscriptions for servers and desktops, tools for running Windows on a Mac, and power-management software for virtualised hosts. It suits home users, IT administrators and small businesses that want to run several systems on one machine. Microsoft and Parallels make up most of the range, alongside APC and HPE, with over 30 products in total.
How to choose virtualisation software
Desktop or server use. Desktop virtualisation runs a second operating system in a window on your own computer, while server virtualisation shares one physical server between many virtual machines. Decide which one you need first, because the products, licence rules and hardware requirements are quite different.
Host and guest operating systems. Check which system you will run on and which systems you want inside virtual machines. Mac users who need Windows applications usually look at Parallels, while Windows and server environments are the natural home for Microsoft products.
Licence term. Some products are sold for a fixed period, and the terms in our range include 1, 3, 5 and 6 years. A longer term avoids renewal work and suits infrastructure that will stay in place, while a one-year term is easier to justify for a short project or a trial of a new setup.
Edition and licensing model. Server products are often licensed by processor cores, users or devices, and editions differ in how many virtual machines they cover. Count the cores in your server and the people or devices that will connect, then match the edition to that number rather than guessing.
Hardware headroom. Every virtual machine takes its own share of memory, storage and processor time. Make sure the host supports hardware virtualisation and has enough RAM for its own system plus each virtual machine you plan to run at the same time.
Brands we carry
- Microsoft: the developer of Hyper-V, the hypervisor built into Windows Server and available in several Windows editions, which makes it a common starting point for Windows-based virtual environments.
- Parallels: best known for Parallels Desktop, which lets Mac users run Windows and other systems alongside macOS without restarting.
- APC: known for UPS units and power protection, and its management software helps shut down virtualised hosts cleanly when mains power fails.
- HPE: a long-standing server and enterprise infrastructure maker, whose ProLiant servers are widely used as virtualisation hosts.
Virtualisation software FAQ
What is virtualisation software used for?
Virtualisation software lets one physical computer run several separate operating systems or servers at the same time. Businesses use it to consolidate servers, test software safely and keep older applications running. At home it is most often used to run Windows programs on a Mac.
How do I run Windows on a Mac?
The usual method is desktop virtualisation software such as Parallels Desktop, which runs Windows in a virtual machine next to macOS. You will also need a Windows licence for the guest system. A Mac with enough memory for both systems gives the smoothest result.
Is Hyper-V included with Windows?
Hyper-V is included in Windows Server and in some Windows editions such as Pro and Enterprise, but not in Windows Home. Larger deployments still need the correct server and client licences for the virtual machines they run. Check the edition you own before buying anything extra.
How much RAM do I need for virtual machines?
A host with 16 GB of RAM is a comfortable starting point for one or two virtual machines, and 8 GB is about the minimum for a single Windows guest. Add up what the host system needs plus the memory assigned to each virtual machine. Servers running many machines at once often need far more.
