To install and set up Parallels Desktop 12 for Mac, you need:
A Mac computer with:
An Intel Core 2 Duo, Core i3, Core i5, Core i7, Intel Core M or Xeon processor (Core Solo and Core Duo processors are no longer supported).
Note: Parallels Desktop can only be installed on Intel-based Macs running the 64-bit kernel. Please see http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3770 for more details.
At least 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended)
Note: Your Mac must have enough RAM memory to use Mac OS X and its applications plus the memory required for each additional operating system (and its programs) that you want to use simultaneously.
At least 850 MB of space available on the boot volume (the volume that has OS X) for Parallels Desktop installation
Enough free disk space for each virtual machine and its applications (at least 15 GB for each installation of Windows)
OS X Yosemite 10.10 or later, OS X Mavericks 10.9.4 or later
To identify your computer's processor, memory, and OS X version, choose Apple menu > About This Mac.
Internet connection required for product activation, select features, and online updates
One of the following:
A Windows installation disc, or other installation media for the operating systems you want to use alongside OS X
An Internet connection to download and install freely available operating system such as Ubuntu or Google Chrome.
If you're using OS X Lion or later, you can set up a second copy of OS X to be used as a guest operating system alongside your main system, without having to purchase or download another copy of OS X.
For a list of operating systems that Parallels Desktop supports for use with your Mac, see Supported Guest Operating Systems or go to http://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/system-requirements/.