Parallels announced today that it is beginning beta testing for Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Mac OS X, the first virtualization software that gives Apple users the ability to simultaneously run Windows, Linux or any other operating system and their applications alongside Mac OS X on an Intel-powered Apple computer. Virtualization software enables users to run multiple operating systems, like Linux or Windows, in isolated “virtual machines” directly on a Mac OS X desktop, giving users the ability to run programs that are only available on those operating systems, without having to give up the usability and functionality of their Mac OS X machine .
Each virtual machine operates exactly like a stand-alone computer and contains its virtual hardware, including RAM, hard disk, processor, I/O ports, and CD/DVD-drives. New and existing Parallels users are welcome to download and evaluate a free, fully-functional 30-day trial of Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Mac OS X at:
http://www.parallels.com/download/mac
Beta users can submit comments, suggestions and feedback by visiting http://www.parallels.com/en/mac or by sending an email to macbeta@parallels.com
“Parallels Workstation for MacOS X gives Mac users a viable virtualization solution that will let them embrace widely-used operating systems like Windows and Linux without having to give up the power, usability and familiarity of their Macintosh,” said Benjamin Rudolph, Parallels Marketing Manager in the press release. “This release underscores our commitment to building solutions that anyone, regardless of budget, technology savvy, or operating system can use to improve productivity and platform flexibility.”
The solution takes advantage of Apple’s inclusion of Intel Core Duo architected chips into all new Macintosh computer models. Because the Intel Core Duo chipset is x86-compatible, the Parallels virtualization engine can easily virtualize the hardware, thus enabling Macintosh users to build virtual machines running nearly any x86-compatible OS, including Windows 3.1-XP/2003, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation, and MS-DOS.
Parallels’ full support of Intel Virtualization Technology, which is included in most new Core Duo chipset, ensures that virtual machine performance is close to near-native and that each virtual machine is stable and completely isolated from other virtual machines and the host physical machine.
The GA (general availability) release of the product is expected in the next several weeks. Apple users should be aware that the Parallels Workstation for Mac OS X works with any Intel-powered Apple computer running Mac OS 10.4.4 or higher. The product is not compatible with PowerPC-powered Apple computers.
For more information: http://www.parallels.com
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What matters isn’t a dual boot v. virtualization debate.
What matters is that people now have either as an option.
By the way, one way that virtualization is better *right now* is that unlike boot camp at this time you can also apparently run various linux flavors, bsd, etc.
Hilarious magic word: START
Game, set and match.
Bye, bye Micro$oft!
interesting, only works on Intel Macs, 10.4.4 … me thinky that is using low-level APIs. basically, apple supplied half the code, parallels is using it.
first to offer virtualization.
let’s wait what apple will add in Leopard.
Personally, I would rather run windblows in a cage using virtual technique so the winblows nasties don’t get out and screw things up.
If windblows gets gooey, just trash the vm file and open the backup. A 30 sec investment vs. reloading actual windblows from scratch (as M$ now recommends when windblows really goes south).
Is there any way to save the Mac’s state (all open apps, documents etc) before restarting (like Virtual PCs save function)? That would make it easier to come back to your work on the Mac, all ready for you exactly as you left it, after using Windows.
Beta 2 was released on Saturday, plus the price was cut to $39.99. Beta 2 is running very smooth and stable on my iMac compared to the first beta and the networking bugs have been fixed. Windows 2000 SP4 definitely performs at near native speed and it absolutely blows away the performance of Windows 2000 on M$ VPC 7, even if it’s running on a high end dual processor G5.
If you only need to run a handful of Windows apps on your Mac and you don’t care about gaming, this is the best $40 you’ll ever spend. It’s far more useful than dual booting with Boot Camp because you can use multiple operating systems on one desktop all at the same time.