Graphics

To view and configure the amount of video memory available to the virtual machine video card, use the Graphics settings.

To edit these settings, do the following:

1. Click the Parallels icon in the menu bar and choose Configure . Or if the Parallels Desktop menu bar is visible at the top of the screen, choose Actions > Configure .
2. In the Virtual Machine Configuration dialog, click Hardware and select Graphics in the sidebar.

Note: These settings cannot be changed when the virtual machine is running.

In the Graphics memory field, you can set the amount of video memory that will be available to the virtual machine.

To configure the video memory limit, do one of the following:

• Drag the slider
• Use the spin box arrows
• Type the value directly into the Graphics memory field

Working with Windows on Retina Display

For Windows 8 and Windows 7:

If you're working with Windows 7 or Windows 8 on a Mac with a Retina display, you can choose how Windows is displayed on the screen:

• Best for Retina . Windows resolution matches that of the Retina display and the DPI setting increases. Windows interface elements and text are clear, sharp, and at full size. This option is supported by Windows 7 and 8 only.
• Scaled . Windows resolution and DPI setting don't change. Instead, Windows is scaled to full size. As a result, Windows interface elements and text are not sharp. This option is useful for Windows applications that don't support high-DPI settings and appear small onscreen.

For Windows XP:

If you're working with Windows XP on a Mac with a Retina display, Windows becomes scaled but its resolution doesn't change. As a result, Windows interface elements and text are not sharp.

However, you can enable full (2880x1800) Retina resolution for Windows by selecting Enable Retina resolution . At such a high resolution, Windows interface elements and text become sharp but small.

Enabling 3D Acceleration

If you want to use Windows Aero in your Windows virtual machines or use games and applications that require video cards that support DirectX or OpenGL, select On or the version of DirectX you need from the 3D acceleration menu.

Enabling Vertical Synchronization

Sometimes in games and 3D applications, a newly rendered frame may overlap a previously rendered one and then screen tearing happens. This occurs when the video card or the software using it begins updating the actively-displayed memory in a manner that is out of sync with the monitor's refresh rate. To prevent screen tearing, select the Enable vertical synchronization option.

If you want to prevent Virtual Machine Configuration from unauthorized changes, click the Lock icon at the bottom of the window. The next time someone wants to change the settings in any pane of Virtual Machine Configuration, an administrator's password will be required.