Is SOLIDWORKS fast enough on a Mac? What performance and hardware really mean
Just like the varied fields of engineering itself, no two engineering applications are exactly the same. Even if they do similar things, they all come with their own nuances and specialties.
And you might rely on a few different ones from project to project.
Where this can get a little messy is if you’re a Mac aficionado. See, while Mac is especially useful for productivity and its hardware’s performance for on-the-go jobs where you:
- Need high processing speed and CPU performance
- Rely on GPU performance and true-color displays for visualization
- And can never have enough battery life
Computer-aided design (CAD) software is predominantly made for Windows systems.
If you need to run CAD software, especially Windows-first systems like SOLIDWORKS, you risk giving up on using your Mac.
Luckily, there are ways to run Windows on your Mac, so you can get Windows-based software up and running even on your preferred device.
So yes. You can run SOLIDWORKS on a Mac.
But that begs the question.
It’s one thing to get the software up and running. How do you know if it will actually work?
Why this question keeps coming up—and why it’s valid
Engineers have high standards for their designs. It often isn’t enough for it to just work. It can’t just meet minimum specs—it needs to do its job well.
They expect the same thing from their software.
It can’t just run. It needs to deliver predictable performance, especially when you’re working on a high-stakes project with a tight turnaround time. Every minute spent loading and buffering counts.
Whether you’re working on large assemblies, questioning your Mac’s GPU performance, or concerned over your software’s long-term stability, the real question isn’t whether your SOLIDWORKS software can run on your Mac. It’s whether it runs as well as you need it to. Whether it will run as well as it could on a Windows PC.
The good news is that SOLIDWORKS can in fact run well in a Windows virtual machine (VM) on your Mac. And its performance depends on its settings within that Windows VM rather than macOS or your hardware.
Pro tip: Running SOLIDWORKS in a VM on your Mac using Parallels Desktop blends the two OSs together—so it will feel like it’s working directly in macOS.
Let’s take a look at what affects your software’s performance.
What impacts SOLIDWORKS performance on a Mac?
Generally speaking, it shouldn’t bog down your device to run SOLIDWORKS in a Windows VM. But if you do find your device is slowing down, these are the common culprits—and how you can sort them out.
CPU, RAM, and GPU resources
When you run into performance issues running SOLIDWORKS on your Mac, RAM is usually the first suspect.
You can track your Mac’s memory usage and manage active processes in your Mac’s Activity Monitor. If that doesn’t solve the issue, you can also use Parallels Desktop’s configuration settings to assign more RAM to your VM. Just make sure your device still has enough for macOS!
After RAM, sometimes CPU resources are a consideration. Allocating more CPU cores in your VM’s settings can improve performance, but not always. Sometimes, it can actually make the problem worse—because what you’re doing is removing that power from macOS processes.
And last up, your device’s GPU acceleration, RealView, and proper graphics configuration matter far more than the operating system alone. These will all affect how well your device can render the models you’re working with.
Small vs large assemblies
Smaller projects often run smoothly on standard Mac setups.
Because larger assemblies include more complex parts to render, they can put heavier demand on your device and will require more thoughtful configuration. How you handle hardware allocation and configure your VM will matter as you work with more complex projects.
The bottom line: Most of the performance bottlenecks your Mac could encounter while running SOLIDWORKS come down to configuration problems, not necessarily your device’s limitations.
Want to take a closer look at VM settings and how they affect your device? Learn how to optimize your settings on our blog.
Virtualization vs native Windows: Where the tradeoffs are
Both virtualization and installing Windows natively using a tool like Boot Camp have their pros and cons.
For example, while running a virtual machine can introduce a small amount of virtualization overhead on your device, it’s handy for productivity. You can run macOS, Windows, Linux, and even extra instances simultaneously, making it useful for those who need to have both macOS and Windows apps open at the same time.
Native Windows installations will inherently have more Windows power, and this can be useful for high-end gaming or demanding software. Running a native Windows installation on your Mac will require rebooting, though—and again if you need to switch to macOS apps.
Running SOLIDWORKS on Mac vs Windows PC: What engineers should compare
When you’re thinking about whether to run SOLIDWORKS on your Mac or on a Windows PC, there are a few angles to consider.
Workflow consistency
Staying in macOS when you run Windows apps means you can avoid switching machines (or rebooting!) and maintain your workflows. When you can minimize your context switches, you can reduce errors and speed up iteration.
It also means no more wondering which device has the right version of your files!
Portability and daily use
If your device needs to be able to go on longer trips out to field sites or travel between work locations, it’s worth considering that Macs generally perform better in terms of portability and day-to-day flexibility.
It also means that if you use other iOS devices, you can still stay within that system, even for work.
Collaboration with Windows-based teams
For many CAD projects, file compatibility, PDM access, and shared environments are critical. When you’re working with Windows users but you’re on a Mac-first team, virtualized workflows can reduce friction when collaborating across operating systems.
The hidden cost of “just get a Windows PC”
It may seem simpler to invest in a dedicated Windows PC when you need to run CAD programs like SOLIDWORKS, but it isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.
Running two machines often means duplicated hardware, split workflows, and additional setup and maintenance. These sorts of hidden costs aren’t on your spec comparisons, but they will impact your productivity over time.
It’s also worth considering the fact that while some high-performance and gaming laptops can run CAD software, you’ll likely need a dedicated workstation—the expensive and non-portable kind—for intense 3D CAD work.
When a Windows PC is the better choice
There are cases where native Windows makes more sense.
Extremely large or complex assemblies, specialized GPU-dependent workflows, or legacy plugins may benefit from dedicated Windows hardware. When making your choice, be sure to consider how you’ll be working with your CAD software in the long term.
Frequently asked questions about SOLIDWORKS on Mac
Have questions about SOLIDWORKS and its performance on a Mac device? Find answers here.
Will SOLIDWORKS lag on a Mac?
Generally, SOLIDWORKS will run smoothly on a Mac. If it does experience lag, it’s typically due to configuration issues.
If you run into issues with lag, be sure to go through the pointers in this blog post for tips on optimizing your Mac to run software like SOLIDWORKS.
Is Parallels Desktop good for large assemblies?
Yes, Parallels Desktop can run large assemblies in SOLIDWORKS. You’ll just need to make sure you set up your RAM allocation to leave enough both for macOS and your Windows VM.
Note: The standard version of Parallels Desktop doesn’t include enough virtual RAM, or vRAM, to run SOLIDWORKS on your Mac. You’ll want to make sure you get Parallels Desktop Pro or higher.
How much RAM do I need?
To run SOLIDWORKS through a Windows VM on your Mac, you’ll need at least 16GB of RAM. If you’re working with larger assemblies, you’ll need to ensure your Mac has a minimum of 24GB of RAM, with 16GB allocated to your VM.
Does this work on Apple Silicon?
Yes, Parallels Desktop can run SOLIDWORKS on Apple silicon devices. It’s actually the only Microsoft-authorized solution for running Windows 11 on M-series devices.
Is performance stable over the long term?
It is! Parallels Desktop is designed as a long-term solution for Mac users who need to run Windows software and can support extended sessions.
Understanding performance means choosing hardware without regret
When you get down to it, choosing whether to run SOLIDWORKS on your Mac or on a Windows PC isn’t really about the operating systems. It’s about stability for your workflow compared against raw specialization.
Understanding how different devices perform gives engineers like you the power to choose hardware you won’t second-guess six months down the road.
Ready to run a test and collect data on whether SOLIDWORKS on Mac will work for you? Try Parallels Desktop Pro free for 14 days!
