Coming on the heels of Apple's announcement of Boot Camp Assistant Beta, virtualization vendor Parallels said it will begin testing a Mac OS X version of its Parallels Workstation 2.1 software.
It claims its virtualization software allows users to run guest OSes at near native speeds on Apple's Intel-based Macs. The low-cost virtualization product will let Mac users run Windows XP or Linux together on the desktop of an Intel-based Mac.
The Mac OS X port of Parallels Workstation 2.1 will let users build secure, "self-contained virtual machines running any version of Windowsâ€â€all the way back to 3.1â€â€Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2 and DOS ... directly on your OS X desktop."
Overview :
When Apple announced Boot Camp Beta two days ago, many users were thrilled to be able to install Windows XP on their Intel-based Macs in a simple and easy manner.
Prior to this, hackers contested for home-brewed ways to get Windows up and running, but their solutions did not include many drivers and required the use of a Windows-based PC.
Many users are now able to run both OS X and Windows XP, covering applications in both OSes on one machine. Users who previously hesitated to switch to Macs because of the need for specific Windows-only software, are now able to make the switch without reservation. Despite being in beta form, Apple says that its dual-boot feature will be integrated into its next major release of OS X, called Leopard.
Unlike the Apple Boot Camp Assistant Beta, which lets users boot into either Mac OS X or Windows XP, Parallels' virtualization product will allow each operating system to run concurrently on the Mac desktop. The virtual machine will have its own window on the desktop.
Features :
Parallels says that with its new software, the Virtualization Technology that Intel has built into Core Duo processors can be fully utilized. According to the company, guest operating systems run at near native speeds thanks to Core Duo's VT technology.
Intel's VT technology allows virtual OSes to be completely isolated from each other, with each OS having access to real hardware resources without conflicts. VT essentially partitions system resources and hardware for each virtual OS.
There's no shared folder support between the virtual machine and the OS X system. However, the package comes with a "clipboard synchronization tool" that lets users cut and paste data between Mac applications and Windows apps running in the virtual machine.
At the moment [the virtual machine] is isolated. If users really want to share files back and forth, they can network the two machines. In addition Workstation 2.1 also supports the Mac's handling of multiple monitors. Customers can place the virtual desktop on one monitor and the Mac OS X desktop on the other.
Future :
Many analysts believe that Apple's decision to switch to Intel processors along with native support for Windows is paving the way for greater market acceptance of Macs. While its OSes have significant advantages over Windows, Apple has always been a hardware company with a niche market. Analysts say that Apple is evolving into a company that competes directly with PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP and Sony.
At the same time, Virtualization for Linux and Windows in client-side computing was a major topic under discussion at the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo. What we see is an opportunity to really drive virtualization, and the capabilities of Linux as well, into the client.
Price & Availability :
Parallels Workstation 2.1 will require Mac OS X v10.4.4 and an Intel-based Mac, Rudolph said. The software will cost $49.99 when it's released. The trial version can be downloaded from the company.
The general release of the software is expected by the end of April, the company said.
[break=Apple: iMAC Windows Benchmarks Revealed]
Apple: iMAC Windows Benchmarks Revealed
We finally benchmarked the Apple PC in Windows successfully, thanks to the latest video driver release. It seems to struggle a bit in games with the level of detail increased, but it’s certainly not terrible, it’s about as good as a mid range notebook system.
We also noticed artifacts in certain games at higher resolutions. It could be related to heat or a driver issue, at this point there’s no telling for sure.
You'll notice that Apple wisely chose an ATi Mobility Radeon part for this system, it seems to make sense that ATi's mobile parts perform almost as well as their desktop counterparts and use far less power thereby generating very little heat.
System Configuration:
HOW TO - Run Windows Media Center on a Mac
Ingredients - MCE 2005 CD's from MSDN (or NewEgg or other source), Nero 6, DVD+R, DVD Burner
With thanks to Doug Knox - this was a collaborative effort!
1) Create a Directory on your hard drive named macmce
2) Copy both CD's to this directory
3) Search for txtsetup.sif in this directory and open it with notepad. Change all %cd2name% to %cdname% (i.e., remove the "2")
4) Download xpboot.bin from www.dougknox.com/xp/xpboot.zip and extract it from the ZIP file. It does not need to be in the same folder as the files from the ISO's.
5) Open Nero 6 and create a new DVD-ROM (Boot) compilation.
a) On the Boot tab, select the Image File radio button and point it to the xpboot.bin file you downloaded earlier.
b) Check the box Enable expert settings.
c) For Kind of emulation, select No Emulation.
d) On the boot tab, leave the Load segment of sectors at 07C0.
e) On the boot tab, change the number of loaded sectors to 4.
f) On the Label tab, in the ISO 9660 box enter WB2PFRE_EN
No other changes should be necessary in the New Compilation dialog.
6) Click the New button on the compilation dialog.
7) Drag the files you copied to your hard drive into the left pane of the window.
8) Burn and install!
9) Go to Windows Update and get all the updates until there aren't any left to install. This puts you at MCE UR2 level.
You'll need a DVD Decoder and an external USB tuner. I used the Adaptec 3610 Dual Tuner and the software that came with the USB tuner or that you download from the web. The Adaptec came with a CD software.
Vista FULLY Installed on an Intel Mac
A member at the OSx86 Project Forums has finally gotten Vista to fully install on his Intel Mac. I managed to install Vista a couple of days ago without removing OS X.
All you have to do is remove the 200 meg EFI partition. Without it, OS X still boots, and so will Vista.
This isn't without problems though, as Boot Camp then wouldn't allow me to later remove the Windows partition, claiming I needed a software update. The fix was to boot the Mac OS X install DVD in single-user mode, and replace the EFI partition using the gpt command (wasn't easy considering I'd not used GPT at all before, so I had some to learn).
After replacing the EFI partition, all was fine. I could remove the Vista partition, and OS X was never harmed. I didn't think to try if Vista still booted with the EFI partition replaced, but I expect it wouldn't.
[break=Boot Camp reveals that OSX is slower than Windows]
Boot Camp reveals that OSX is slower than Windows
No wonder Apple didn't want them side by side
PLASTIC MOLD FIRM Apple, might be finding out that the problem with having a dual boot alongside Windows is that users can compare both operating systems better.
According to Penny Arcade, the introduction of Boot Camp makes it a lot easier to benchmark what the two operating systems can do.
One of its hacks installed Boot Camp onto his MacBook, installed Windows and then World of Warcraft. To test how the two operating systems compared he ran WoW at 1440 x 900 with all the graphic settings on maximum.
It was barely playable of course but he managed to get a frame rate reading of 15 and 20 FPS under Mac OX.
On the same lap top under Windows and the same settings he managed to get between 35 and 40 FPS. This is a pretty big difference.
The reviewer said that he preferred using OS X, but it was a little difficult to justify when a game runs twice as fast under Windows.
[break=Some Mac Resellers Preinstalling Windows XP]
Some Mac Resellers Preinstalling Windows XP
A few OEMs are selling standard Macintosh models with Windows XP already loaded via Boot Camp, but Apple says it has no intention of doing the same.
Several Apple resellers are marketing Intel-based Mac desktops and portables with Windows XP pre-installed, but Apple Computer Inc. reiterated that it has no intention of following their lead.
The resellers, which include a small Utah-based company and a major California computer online warehouse, are bundling Windows XP with standard Macintosh models, and pre-installing the Microsoft operating system using the Boot Camp dual-boot application that Apple released earlier this month.
ExperCom is touting a $2,029 MacBook Pro with Windows XP Home pre-loaded; the price is just $35 above the Apple price for the portable. Meanwhile, ClubMac.com, MacMall.com, and OnSale.com -- all three part of Torrance, Calif.-based PC Mall -- list MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini machines with XP Home or XP Professional installed. Windows XP Home bumps up the usual price of the computer by $100, while XP Professional costs an additional $150.
Retail prices for Windows XP Home are in the $190-198 range.
A sales representative from MacMall told TechWeb that users can select the size of the disk partition assigned to Windows XP during the ordering process.
But there are limits to what the resellers will do. "We don't support Windows XP - and neither does Apple," ExperCom said on its site. "We'll install it for you, but, hey, we're Mac people, so we can't help answer Windows questions!" Lengthy disclaimers, primarily about Boot Camp's beta status, also appeared on the ClubMac, MacMall, and OnSale sites.
But Apple's not planning to follow where its resellers have trod. In a Q&A session Wednesday after Apple released its second quarter financial statements, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's chief financial officer, Peter Oppenheimer, repeated Apple's line about Windows.
"We have no desire or plan to sell or support Windows," said Oppenheimer. "But we think [Boot Camp] makes the Mac more appealing."
The bundling of Windows with Mac was inevitable, said Joe Wilcox, an analyst with JupiterMedia. But he didn't think that the trend will become widespread, and doesn't believe Apple will ever follow suit.
"I see two scenarios," he said. "One, the people who think they might need Windows on a Mac. Now [with Boot Camp] they can be assured they can run Windows if they need to. But there people may never actually buy Windows.
"The second are those who have an absolute, but occasional, need to run Windows. They might be the happy household where one spouse wants a Mac but the other needs Windows to get into the office [network]. These are the people where I see XP pre-installed going," Wilcox said.
It'll be cold day in hell when Apple sells Windows in its retail stores or online. "It's not in Apple's interest to promote Windows" that way, said Wilcox. If Apple did pre-install Windows, it would have to follow the same rules as other OEMs, like Dell and HP, which are required to shoulder the Windows support burden.
But the ability to order a machine ready to run both Mac OS X and Windows XP out of the box may be increasingly attractive as the year goes on, Wilcox argued.
"The sales path is cleared for Apple through 2006. There will be no marketing bang around [Windows] Vista, and Macs are fresh, new, and different.
"So the people who are tired of the same thing, who want to try something new, but realize that the reality is that Windows is everywhere, they may start thinking about a Mac."
[break=Apple's Intel-Macs Begin Shipping with Windows XP Pre-Installed]
Apple's Intel-Macs Begin Shipping with Windows XP Pre-Installed
Next up: virtualization included and OS X and Windows XP running side-by-side
After Apple's release of Boot Camp, allowing customers to install and run Windows XP natively on its Intel-based Macs, many predicted that it would simply be a matter of time before Macs started shipping with Microsoft's Windows XP preinstalled. Now it seems the inevitable has occurred.
One of the largest online Apple dealers, MacMall, has announced that it is now shipping iMacs, MacBook Pros and Mac Minis with a choice of Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro pre-installed as an option. According to both MacMall's website and Apple's online store, a identically configured 1.83GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro can be pre-installed with Windows XP Professional for $100 -- which is actually a discount.
It's quite interesting to see this occur because currently, Intel-Macs are the only computers available that can run both OS X and Windows XP natively. While it is possible to install OS X on home-built PCs, the systems do not have proper drivers and support (save for some very specifically configured hardware), and with current OS X versions, operation is half-hazard at best.
Analysts are predicting that a trend such as that being done by MacMall, will give Apple a considerable foot-hold in competing with companies such as Dell, HP and others. Those customers who previously wanted to switch to a Mac but were held back by application support concerns now have virtually nothing to worry about.
Interestingly, as soon as Parallels releases a final retail version of its Workstation 2.1 virtualization application, we might begin seeing Macs with virtualization pre-installed with Windows XP. This will allow a level of OS X and Windows integration that was not possible before. Apple's switch to Intel is clearly becoming more interesting everyday.
It claims its virtualization software allows users to run guest OSes at near native speeds on Apple's Intel-based Macs. The low-cost virtualization product will let Mac users run Windows XP or Linux together on the desktop of an Intel-based Mac.
The Mac OS X port of Parallels Workstation 2.1 will let users build secure, "self-contained virtual machines running any version of Windowsâ€â€all the way back to 3.1â€â€Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2 and DOS ... directly on your OS X desktop."
Overview :
When Apple announced Boot Camp Beta two days ago, many users were thrilled to be able to install Windows XP on their Intel-based Macs in a simple and easy manner.
Prior to this, hackers contested for home-brewed ways to get Windows up and running, but their solutions did not include many drivers and required the use of a Windows-based PC.
Many users are now able to run both OS X and Windows XP, covering applications in both OSes on one machine. Users who previously hesitated to switch to Macs because of the need for specific Windows-only software, are now able to make the switch without reservation. Despite being in beta form, Apple says that its dual-boot feature will be integrated into its next major release of OS X, called Leopard.
Unlike the Apple Boot Camp Assistant Beta, which lets users boot into either Mac OS X or Windows XP, Parallels' virtualization product will allow each operating system to run concurrently on the Mac desktop. The virtual machine will have its own window on the desktop.
Features :
Parallels says that with its new software, the Virtualization Technology that Intel has built into Core Duo processors can be fully utilized. According to the company, guest operating systems run at near native speeds thanks to Core Duo's VT technology.
Intel's VT technology allows virtual OSes to be completely isolated from each other, with each OS having access to real hardware resources without conflicts. VT essentially partitions system resources and hardware for each virtual OS.
There's no shared folder support between the virtual machine and the OS X system. However, the package comes with a "clipboard synchronization tool" that lets users cut and paste data between Mac applications and Windows apps running in the virtual machine.
At the moment [the virtual machine] is isolated. If users really want to share files back and forth, they can network the two machines. In addition Workstation 2.1 also supports the Mac's handling of multiple monitors. Customers can place the virtual desktop on one monitor and the Mac OS X desktop on the other.
Future :
Many analysts believe that Apple's decision to switch to Intel processors along with native support for Windows is paving the way for greater market acceptance of Macs. While its OSes have significant advantages over Windows, Apple has always been a hardware company with a niche market. Analysts say that Apple is evolving into a company that competes directly with PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP and Sony.
At the same time, Virtualization for Linux and Windows in client-side computing was a major topic under discussion at the LinuxWorld Conference & Expo. What we see is an opportunity to really drive virtualization, and the capabilities of Linux as well, into the client.
Price & Availability :
Parallels Workstation 2.1 will require Mac OS X v10.4.4 and an Intel-based Mac, Rudolph said. The software will cost $49.99 when it's released. The trial version can be downloaded from the company.
The general release of the software is expected by the end of April, the company said.
[break=Apple: iMAC Windows Benchmarks Revealed]
Apple: iMAC Windows Benchmarks Revealed
We finally benchmarked the Apple PC in Windows successfully, thanks to the latest video driver release. It seems to struggle a bit in games with the level of detail increased, but it’s certainly not terrible, it’s about as good as a mid range notebook system.
We also noticed artifacts in certain games at higher resolutions. It could be related to heat or a driver issue, at this point there’s no telling for sure.
You'll notice that Apple wisely chose an ATi Mobility Radeon part for this system, it seems to make sense that ATi's mobile parts perform almost as well as their desktop counterparts and use far less power thereby generating very little heat.
System Configuration:
- CPU Information Model: Intel Corporation: (2000.0MHz Dual Core)
- FSB Speed: 166.0MHz Current Clock: 2000 MHz
- Motherboard: Apple Computer, Inc. Mac-F42787C8
- Memory Size: 2048 MB (DDR2-667 DDR2 SDRAM)
- Video Adapter: ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 (256 MB)
- GPU Clock: 398 MHz (original: 400 MHz)
- Disk Drive: WDC WD2500JS-40NGB2 (232 GB, IDE)
- Optical Drive: MATSHITA DVD-R UJ-846
- System BIOS: Apple Computer, Inc. 0.01
- Hard Drive: WDC WD2500JS-40NGB2
- 3DMark06 Overall: 1700
- 3DMark06 SM 2.0: 604
- 3DMark06 HDR/SM3.0: 627
- 3DMark06 CPU: 1672
- 3DMark05 (default 1024x768) Score: 3660
- 3DMark03 (default 1024x768) Score: 6452
- 3DMark2001SE (default 1024x768) Score: 16304
- Counter Strike Source 1024x768 Score: 82
- Doom 3 1024x768 Score: 28
- Call Of Duty 1280x1024 Score: 59
- Far Cry 1280x1024 Timedemo: 49
- Far Cry 1280x1024 HDR Timedemo: 48
- Halo 1280x1024 Timedemo Score: 42
- Quake3 1280x1024 Score: 325
- Dhrystone ALU: 18066
- Whetstone FPU: 5553
- Whetstone iSSE2: 7180
- Float x4 iSSE2: 42286
- RAM Bandwidth Int Buff'd iSSE2: 3971
- RAM Bandwidth Float Buff'd iSS: 3980
- Drive Index: 47 MB/s
HOW TO - Run Windows Media Center on a Mac
Ingredients - MCE 2005 CD's from MSDN (or NewEgg or other source), Nero 6, DVD+R, DVD Burner
With thanks to Doug Knox - this was a collaborative effort!
1) Create a Directory on your hard drive named macmce
2) Copy both CD's to this directory
3) Search for txtsetup.sif in this directory and open it with notepad. Change all %cd2name% to %cdname% (i.e., remove the "2")
4) Download xpboot.bin from www.dougknox.com/xp/xpboot.zip and extract it from the ZIP file. It does not need to be in the same folder as the files from the ISO's.
5) Open Nero 6 and create a new DVD-ROM (Boot) compilation.
a) On the Boot tab, select the Image File radio button and point it to the xpboot.bin file you downloaded earlier.
b) Check the box Enable expert settings.
c) For Kind of emulation, select No Emulation.
d) On the boot tab, leave the Load segment of sectors at 07C0.
e) On the boot tab, change the number of loaded sectors to 4.
f) On the Label tab, in the ISO 9660 box enter WB2PFRE_EN
No other changes should be necessary in the New Compilation dialog.
6) Click the New button on the compilation dialog.
7) Drag the files you copied to your hard drive into the left pane of the window.
8) Burn and install!
9) Go to Windows Update and get all the updates until there aren't any left to install. This puts you at MCE UR2 level.
You'll need a DVD Decoder and an external USB tuner. I used the Adaptec 3610 Dual Tuner and the software that came with the USB tuner or that you download from the web. The Adaptec came with a CD software.
Vista FULLY Installed on an Intel Mac
All you have to do is remove the 200 meg EFI partition. Without it, OS X still boots, and so will Vista.
This isn't without problems though, as Boot Camp then wouldn't allow me to later remove the Windows partition, claiming I needed a software update. The fix was to boot the Mac OS X install DVD in single-user mode, and replace the EFI partition using the gpt command (wasn't easy considering I'd not used GPT at all before, so I had some to learn).
After replacing the EFI partition, all was fine. I could remove the Vista partition, and OS X was never harmed. I didn't think to try if Vista still booted with the EFI partition replaced, but I expect it wouldn't.
[break=Boot Camp reveals that OSX is slower than Windows]
Boot Camp reveals that OSX is slower than Windows
No wonder Apple didn't want them side by side
PLASTIC MOLD FIRM Apple, might be finding out that the problem with having a dual boot alongside Windows is that users can compare both operating systems better.
According to Penny Arcade, the introduction of Boot Camp makes it a lot easier to benchmark what the two operating systems can do.
One of its hacks installed Boot Camp onto his MacBook, installed Windows and then World of Warcraft. To test how the two operating systems compared he ran WoW at 1440 x 900 with all the graphic settings on maximum.
It was barely playable of course but he managed to get a frame rate reading of 15 and 20 FPS under Mac OX.
On the same lap top under Windows and the same settings he managed to get between 35 and 40 FPS. This is a pretty big difference.
The reviewer said that he preferred using OS X, but it was a little difficult to justify when a game runs twice as fast under Windows.
[break=Some Mac Resellers Preinstalling Windows XP]
Some Mac Resellers Preinstalling Windows XP
A few OEMs are selling standard Macintosh models with Windows XP already loaded via Boot Camp, but Apple says it has no intention of doing the same.
Several Apple resellers are marketing Intel-based Mac desktops and portables with Windows XP pre-installed, but Apple Computer Inc. reiterated that it has no intention of following their lead.
The resellers, which include a small Utah-based company and a major California computer online warehouse, are bundling Windows XP with standard Macintosh models, and pre-installing the Microsoft operating system using the Boot Camp dual-boot application that Apple released earlier this month.
ExperCom is touting a $2,029 MacBook Pro with Windows XP Home pre-loaded; the price is just $35 above the Apple price for the portable. Meanwhile, ClubMac.com, MacMall.com, and OnSale.com -- all three part of Torrance, Calif.-based PC Mall -- list MacBook Pro, iMac, and Mac mini machines with XP Home or XP Professional installed. Windows XP Home bumps up the usual price of the computer by $100, while XP Professional costs an additional $150.
Retail prices for Windows XP Home are in the $190-198 range.
A sales representative from MacMall told TechWeb that users can select the size of the disk partition assigned to Windows XP during the ordering process.
But there are limits to what the resellers will do. "We don't support Windows XP - and neither does Apple," ExperCom said on its site. "We'll install it for you, but, hey, we're Mac people, so we can't help answer Windows questions!" Lengthy disclaimers, primarily about Boot Camp's beta status, also appeared on the ClubMac, MacMall, and OnSale sites.
But Apple's not planning to follow where its resellers have trod. In a Q&A session Wednesday after Apple released its second quarter financial statements, the Cupertino, Calif.-based company's chief financial officer, Peter Oppenheimer, repeated Apple's line about Windows.
"We have no desire or plan to sell or support Windows," said Oppenheimer. "But we think [Boot Camp] makes the Mac more appealing."
The bundling of Windows with Mac was inevitable, said Joe Wilcox, an analyst with JupiterMedia. But he didn't think that the trend will become widespread, and doesn't believe Apple will ever follow suit.
"I see two scenarios," he said. "One, the people who think they might need Windows on a Mac. Now [with Boot Camp] they can be assured they can run Windows if they need to. But there people may never actually buy Windows.
"The second are those who have an absolute, but occasional, need to run Windows. They might be the happy household where one spouse wants a Mac but the other needs Windows to get into the office [network]. These are the people where I see XP pre-installed going," Wilcox said.
It'll be cold day in hell when Apple sells Windows in its retail stores or online. "It's not in Apple's interest to promote Windows" that way, said Wilcox. If Apple did pre-install Windows, it would have to follow the same rules as other OEMs, like Dell and HP, which are required to shoulder the Windows support burden.
But the ability to order a machine ready to run both Mac OS X and Windows XP out of the box may be increasingly attractive as the year goes on, Wilcox argued.
"The sales path is cleared for Apple through 2006. There will be no marketing bang around [Windows] Vista, and Macs are fresh, new, and different.
"So the people who are tired of the same thing, who want to try something new, but realize that the reality is that Windows is everywhere, they may start thinking about a Mac."
[break=Apple's Intel-Macs Begin Shipping with Windows XP Pre-Installed]
Apple's Intel-Macs Begin Shipping with Windows XP Pre-Installed
Next up: virtualization included and OS X and Windows XP running side-by-side
After Apple's release of Boot Camp, allowing customers to install and run Windows XP natively on its Intel-based Macs, many predicted that it would simply be a matter of time before Macs started shipping with Microsoft's Windows XP preinstalled. Now it seems the inevitable has occurred.
One of the largest online Apple dealers, MacMall, has announced that it is now shipping iMacs, MacBook Pros and Mac Minis with a choice of Windows XP Home or Windows XP Pro pre-installed as an option. According to both MacMall's website and Apple's online store, a identically configured 1.83GHz Core Duo MacBook Pro can be pre-installed with Windows XP Professional for $100 -- which is actually a discount.
It's quite interesting to see this occur because currently, Intel-Macs are the only computers available that can run both OS X and Windows XP natively. While it is possible to install OS X on home-built PCs, the systems do not have proper drivers and support (save for some very specifically configured hardware), and with current OS X versions, operation is half-hazard at best.
Analysts are predicting that a trend such as that being done by MacMall, will give Apple a considerable foot-hold in competing with companies such as Dell, HP and others. Those customers who previously wanted to switch to a Mac but were held back by application support concerns now have virtually nothing to worry about.
Interestingly, as soon as Parallels releases a final retail version of its Workstation 2.1 virtualization application, we might begin seeing Macs with virtualization pre-installed with Windows XP. This will allow a level of OS X and Windows integration that was not possible before. Apple's switch to Intel is clearly becoming more interesting everyday.
