CodeWeavers' CrossOver Will Support Intel Macs
CodeWeavers' CrossOver Will Support Intel Macs
by , 12:55 PM EDT, June 22nd, 2005
CodeWeavers on Wednesday announced that its CrossOver technology, which enables Linux users to run Windows applications on their computers, will support Macs once Apple makes the move to Intel processors next year. CrossOver was built on UNIX, as was Mac OS X, but the technology wasn't previously available in the Mac world because it requires Intel chips. Apple currently uses PowerPC chips jointly developed by IBM and Motorola.
CrossOver is based on the open source software WINE (WINE Is Not an Emulator), which runs Windows applications on Linux machines without resorting to emulation. Developers will be able to use CrossOver to port their Windows applications to the Mac more easily, according to CodeWeavers, which also provides porting services. The company also sells CrossOver Office, which Linux users employ to natively run Windows applications -- that software will also be available for Intel-based Macs when they ship.
Currently, running Windows applications on a Mac means using Microsoft's Virtual PC, an emulator that is almost useless for any software that is hardware intensive. However, CodeWeavers said in a statement: "By installing CrossOver Office on Intel-based Macs, many Windows-only applications, including Windows-based games, utilities, and business applications, will operate seamlessly and reliably."
Apple expects to ship the first Intel-based Macs a year from now and will complete the switchover by the end of 2007. The company has not revealed which computers will receive Intel chips first, nor has it publicly supported CrossOver or WINE as a means for Windows developers to get their software onto Macs.
Observer Comments
Wed Jun 22, 2005 2:01 pm Subject: Double edged sword
Like Salvor Hardin said: "An atom blaster is a good weapon, but it can point both ways."
Expect a rash of poorly written Windoze ports for MacIntel's. Fortunately they won't be PPC compatible. 
Other than that, this will be good news for switchers who are heavily invested in Windoze software who don't want to upgrade to Mac versions right away. The WINE approach, allowing Windoze app's to run under MacOS X, is clearly superior to dual booting.
One more loss for Linux. I believe any EFI enabled Intel box will be able to install OS X with a little tinkering. Every Linux user is accustomed to "tinkering". My attraction to Linux was an alternative to Micro$oft on inexpensive hardware. What turned me off was the lack of mainstream applications and lack of desktop friendliness. I expect most "Unix-y" apps to quickly be ported to OS X-x86. So if I can A) be different B) stay mainstream and C) do it on the cheap then I see very little reason for Linux. I know the whole open source thing is empowering but I don't believe most Linux users are actually customizing their kernel.
Are all Mac users living in such an insulated world as to not know what's going on in the real world? It seems like all Mac-only users think that the only way you'll be able to run a Windows application will be via dual booting.
With virtualisation software like VMWare (or even the crap that calls itself VirtualPC) you won't have to dual boot. Sure, VMWare requires you to boot once, but you can save a snapshot and just suspend the machine. Dual booting is a waste of time regardless of what two OS's you like.
Heck, VMWare even lets you run multiple virtual machines at once. While VMWare hasn't announced anything for the Mac, here's hoping that they do soon.
And WINE is not superior to virtualisation. The coverage of the WINE libraries is limited. If you want the most compatibility with your legacy Windoze apps, virtualisation is the way to go.
Wed Jun 22, 2005 11:18 pm Subject: Re: Dual Booting
QuoteAnonymous wrote:
Are all Mac users living in such an insulated world as to not know what's going on in the real world? It seems like all Mac-only users think that the only way you'll be able to run a Windows application will be via dual booting.
With virtualisation software like VMWare (or even the crap that calls itself VirtualPC) you won't have to dual boot. Sure, VMWare requires you to boot once, but you can save a snapshot and just suspend the machine. Dual booting is a waste of time regardless of what two OS's you like.
Heck, VMWare even lets you run multiple virtual machines at once. While VMWare hasn't announced anything for the Mac, here's hoping that they do soon.
And WINE is not superior to virtualisation. The coverage of the WINE libraries is limited. If you want the most compatibility with your legacy Windoze apps, virtualisation is the way to go.
All well and good IF (and it is a big IF) VMWare comes to the Mac. Otherwise, it is just wishful thinking.
The advantage of WINE (if it ever gets to the point it needs to be at) is that you don't need to install the other OS to run the apps.
Thu Jun 23, 2005 3:35 pm Subject: Just need one app
QuoteGuest wrote:
And WINE is not superior to virtualisation. The coverage of the WINE libraries is limited. If you want the most compatibility with your legacy Windoze apps, virtualisation is the way to go.
But I don't need the "most compatibility." The only dozeware I would need to run on a Mactel is FrameMaker and (maybe) ClearQuest. If they run on WINE, I won't give two tin toots what else does or doesn't run.
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