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Parallels Runs Windows Without Rebooting

by , 5:00 PM EDT, April 6th, 2006

Parallels on Thursday released the Beta version of Parallels Workstation, which enables Intel Macs to run Windows inside a Mac OS X window, eliminating the rebooting required by Boot Camp. MacCentral's Peter Cohen said that the solution supports various x86-based operating systems, including UNIX, Linux and various types of Windows.

Mr. Cohen said that Parallels Workstation makes use of virtualization technology built into Intel's Core Duo processors. Unlike slow, software-based emulators, Parallels Workstation splits the processor's attention between different operating systems, enabling each one to run off the hardware. The reporter said that a Parallels company representative noted that the solution is "close to near-native" in performance.

When the final version of Parallels Workstation is released, it will cost US$49 to register. Each operating system loaded on the computer must be purchased separately, of course. Mac OS X v10.4.4 is required.

Observer Comments

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Close Name:Guest
Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:18 pm Subject: It is definately still BETA software

Loaded it an tried it. Interface is very "windowish" with cartoon graphics. The system will not enter full screen mode on a MacBookPro. There is no file sharing between the host and the virtual machine. Turing on Windows file sharing on OS X still will not allow the virtual machine to connect...so there is no way to move files back and forth between systems. No USB device support yet. It is faster to shut down the virtual machine and reboot it than it is to use the "suspend" feature.

Don't get too excited yet. Hopefully they can get this closer to a workable version within the next few weeks before their 30-day eval period expires.


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Close Name:Small White Car Posts: 1960 Joined: 02 Jul 2004
Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:27 pm Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
Hopefully they can get this closer to a workable version within the next few weeks before their 30-day eval period expires.


I'm excited that other companies like this have gotten so far so fast.

This is a VERY good sign that Leopard will indeed include virtualization AND it should work very well. After all, they not only have several more months to work on it, Apple has had several more months BEFORE these other companies to work on things like this.

(AND think about this...Boot Camp would have been a great reason to upgrade to Leopard. So why give it away for free? Well probably because they ALREADY have something much better that will remain a Leopard-only feature.)


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Close Name:Guest
Thu Apr 06, 2006 5:44 pm Subject: Even in Beta - shows promise

The fact that I was able to load Unbuntu Linux on this much faster and without any trouble compared to an older Compaq PC box I have, bodes well. Yes, it's missing some nice features that VPC has, but this will rock. For $50, it will be money well spent.


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Close Name:Guest
Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:06 am Subject: Apple will provide the same thing: Dual OS's running

OK, why hasn't MicroShaft come out with a development time frame for VPC? Why did they buy it in the first place way back when?

Just like Mac OS X has been running on an Intel processor since v10.0, I'm quite confident Apple has had WinXP running on a MacTel since it's inception.

And, I'm sure they've (Apple) got Vista running on MacTel's as well.


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Close Name:Guest
Fri Apr 07, 2006 12:08 am Subject: Well, DUH!

OK, MacTel boxes can not run any OS X version lower than 10.4.4, so why even bother noting such? Oh, I forgot, a TMO 'staffer' wrote this..


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Close Name:Guest
Sat Apr 08, 2006 10:47 am Subject: Here's a video showing XP boting in 10 seconds
Close Name:Bryan -   TMO Staff Posts: 7340 Joined: 11 Jun 2001
Thu Apr 13, 2006 8:03 am Subject:

Quote
Guest wrote:
OK, MacTel boxes can not run any OS X version lower than 10.4.4, so why even bother noting such? Oh, I forgot, a TMO 'staffer' wrote this..


Are you serious? I can't believe you have so much time on your hands that you chose to spend some of it complaining about this, and I am not even sure what "this" is.

If you have some serious concern about our bylines, do please let me know directly.

Bryan
Editor
TMO


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