Need to view and print Visio drawing and diagramming software files? Track expenses on a custom reporting application that only runs on the Microsoft Windows operating system? Or easily share files with co-workers, friends or family? Look no further says Microsoft in their press release. Microsoft Corp.’s Macintosh Business Unit (Mac BU) today announced the availability of Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac Version 7 with Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Professional Edition.O )
According to Microsoft:
Virtual PC for Mac is a must-have for Mac users who sometimes need to run Microsoft Windows and work with PC-only software, files, networks and devices directly on their Macs. Virtual PC 7 is offered in a box by itself, but to get the highest level of cross-platform compatibility at the best value, customers need Office 2004 Professional Edition, which includes Virtual PC 7 with the latest version of Office for Mac.
“Compatibility is key to Mac users,” said Scott Erickson, group product manager of Mac BU at Microsoft. “Virtual PC 7 allows Mac users to run PC software with more speed and simplicity than ever before. And now that Virtual PC 7 is compatible with the G5, Mac users will be able to run it on Apple’s latest hardware.”
“Microsoft is delivering important new features with the latest release of Virtual PC for Mac, including support for the amazing Power Mac G5,” said Ron Okamoto, vice president of Worldwide Developer Relations at Apple Computer Inc. “Virtual PC ensures cross-platform compatibility, offering a comprehensive solution for Mac users who need access to PC-only software and data.”
In addition to compatibility with the Macintosh G5 and an enhanced user experience, Virtual PC 7 also meets one of the top customer demands — improved performance. Virtual PC 7 picks up the pace, clocking in at 10 percent to 30 percent faster than its predecessors. Applications overall are quicker to respond, helping users maximize their time.
Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Professional Edition are now available at major resellers nationwide, including the Apple Store online, Amazon.com, MacConnection, MacMall and Mac Zone. Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Professional is at a suggested retail price of $249, and Microsoft Office 2004 for Mac Professional Edition can be acquired at a suggested retail price of $499. An upgrade version of Office 2004 Professional Edition is also available at a suggested retail price of $329, an amazing value for both Office and Virtual PC.
To see Virtual PC 7 in action, users can check out the new Flash demo at http://www.microsoft.com/mac for a personal tour. Key enhancements in the new release include these:
* G5 support. Virtual PC for Mac was significantly rewritten to run on
the 64-bit G5 processor.
* Improved performance. Virtual PC 7 is 10 percent to 30 percent
faster than its predecessors.
* Better graphics handling. Taking advantage of the graphics processor
on the Mac, Virtual PC now delivers faster, cleaner graphics.
* Fast Save. Virtual PC closes with the click of a button, saving the
PC state in the background so users can get back to their other work
immediately.
* Enhanced user experience. Virtual PC 7 is more intuitive,
straightforward and just plain easier to use.
* Easy installation. Virtual PC 7 includes a new setup assistant that
guides the user through an intuitive installation process.
* Easy printing. Mac OS X Panther version 10.3 users can simply choose
to print from any PC application, and the file will automatically
print to the Mac’s default printer.
Other editions of Virtual PC 7, including Virtual PC 7 with Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 2000 Professional Standalone and Upgrade, will be available over the next few months. Virtual PC 7 and Office 2004 Professional can be acquired now in English, with details forthcoming on availability in French, German, Japanese and Swedish. Customers can check http://www.microsoft.com/mac and local resellers for the most up-to-date information and pricing.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
Mac users should not buy Microsoft software – May 16, 2003
Report: Microsoft’s Virtual PC 7 for Mac has features cut, may not run as fast as hoped – September 14, 2004
Will Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac 7.0 run faster or slower than previous version? – September 20, 2004
Isn’t this old news?
“G5 support. Virtual PC for Mac was significantly rewritten to run on
the 64-bit G5 processor.”
I would guess its either completely rewritten or its been cobbled together. What do you think?
“Enhanced user experience. Virtual PC 7 is more intuitive,
straightforward and just plain easier to use.”
Not it MS had any input into its design!
“Easy installation. Virtual PC 7 includes a new setup assistant that
guides the user through an intuitive installation process.”
Oh great, just what we need either a dancing paperclip or MS (Mac) Bob!
Hmmm I wonder if the .dmg file will fit on my iPod… that’d fix Balmers ass….
Like all Micro$oftopoly wares, it’s about a year late and far less than promised. When the update comes that uses the Mac’s native graphics give me a call…
Apple should just buy the MBU use the programmers to build a “knock down, kick ass” version of office for the Mac. Maybe now that the MBU isn’t spending all their resources on VPC they can build a decent version of MSN messenger for mac.
this is old news – announced early this week. come on MDN – get with it, you dropped the ball on this one!
“Easy installation. Virtual PC 7 includes a new setup assistant that
guides the user through an intuitive installation process.”
If it is intuitive then why do you need an M$ setup wizard?
who cares about SMN messenger for mac? all mac users should be using iChat any way. and Yahoo! Messenger if so needed. i don’t know ANYBODY who exclusively uses MSN Messenger.
just the thought of running ANY MicroCrap on my Mac makes me shudder….
Why in the hell would I make my mac as vunerable to malware and virii…. as PeeCees ?
uhhh … thanks but no thanks…
So where in the hell is the upgrade version M$? Why only release the full version with XP now and then wait another 6 weeks before shipping the versions without an OS? This is typical lame ass sh*t from M$ as usual…
actually msn messenger has more users than any other IM client… and yes i am stuck using the pathetic msn 4 for mac
hotmail user
Youre on a Mac…right ??
Why not use iChat ?
On another topic…. Here is yet another reason to stay away from MicroCrap…
Can you say..”Open Source” for virus writers ?
if someone buys a mac is to get away from the microcrap even if it’s virtual.
I almost needed Virtual PC… but my one supplier who required me to access their files using a proprietary Windows based program has now put the database on the web.
Safari works just fine, thank you – so now I can “just say no” to MicroSoft.
I saw a posting that said someone was STUCK using msn messenger. Goto download.com and get Fire. It uses ICQ MSN YIM AIM IRC and others. Works great.
Wonder how games would play on it… probably slow. let me know if anyone tries it… 😎
VPC may be a operating system, but on the Mac it acts like a App. And thats how we treat it at our business. It gets our old PC Quickbooks files open so we can save them to the Mac side and open them in Mac Quickbooks. Other than a few other use’s thats it, just another Mac App that gets the job done. (and no I would not use it for games).
Why is this news?
No one in their right mind who uses a mac would want this bloated piece of M$ crap installed on their mac!
You fools who rail against all things Microsoft, if it weren’t for Microsoft, you all would be using…er…the domanant OS – Mac OS 6. Or OS/2 Warp v. 4. Or NeXTSTEP!
Linux would still be a class project gathering dust.
Office for Mac is great. Entourage is great. And until idiots whe design software and web pages that are Windows only get a clue, we’ll need VPC.
So shut up already and go back to you Hypercard stacks.
hotmail user.. eh.. user ADIUM.. not the abonation called MSN..
Adium can use all networks
adiumx.com
Joe Voter, it looks like you’re the fool. Have you ever used NeXTSTEP? I used NeXTSTEP at work for years and it’s still miles ahead of Windows even now. I’d take that as an alternative to that Windows crap any day.
Oh, and while we’re talking “what ifs”, if it weren’t for NeXTSTEP we wouldn’t have a World Wide Web and we wouldn’t be reading your ignorant comments.
And for what it’s worth, M$, if I did want to edit a Visio document, I’d use OmniGraffle Pro. it’s better by miles.
Let’s see…
10 – 30 percent faster than its predecessors…
VPC 6.1 (the Microsoft Version of VPC after they took it over) is easily only 50% to 70% as fast as VPC 6.0 (the last Connectix version). Unfortunately, I’ve had to run both over the past year and a half. I’d have stayed with 6.0 if not for corporate reasons.
Doing the math that means VPC 7.0 is only 55% to 91% as fast as VPC 6.0.
Still sounds like a backtrack to me.
So unless you have a fast G5, why buy it?
For those of you who exclusively use iChat, congrats. I’ve just started using iChat because my girlfriend got a Mac. Everyone I know uses MSN Messenger.
Many people abroad use MSN Messenger. And it’s not a matter of people loving it. It’s just what everyone uses. In Mexico, where I am, if you want to stay in touch with family and friends… MSN Messenger is the *only* option.
NeoOfficeJ Rocks!!!
i wanna explore the windows eniron.
would that thing help me?
i also wanna try out linux
– is there a live boot cd for a g4 osx mac?
It’s cheaper an fastest to buy an old PC (without monitor) and use it with the free “Remote Desktop Connection” from M$.
way cool- thanks- i found this…
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/
downloads.aspx?pid=download&location;=
/mac/DOWNLOAD/MISC/RDC.xml&secid=80
&ssid=9&flgnosysreq=True