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Software VMware Virtualization Coming to Macs
Tuan Nguyen (Blog) - August 7, 2006 10:33 AM

10 comment(s) - last by blckgrffn.. on Aug 8 at 12:22 PM

Virtualization heats up on Intel-Macs

VMware announced today that its VMware virtualization suite will be coming to Apple computers not too long from now. The company has announced a pre-trial beta program for OS X users. VMware is very well known for rock-solid virtualization in the enterprise space. With new Intel-based Macs from Apple, the prospects for running other operating systems while working inside OS X becomes extremely appealing for many. According to VMware:

Love your Mac even more with the ability to simultaneously run any PC OS -- Windows, Linux, NetWare and others -- on Mac OS X. Switch between operating systems by easily tabbing between applications and share data between the two operating systems by dragging and dropping files on the fly -- all without needing to reboot. What's more, you can create virtual machines and run them on other VMware products or run any VMware virtual machine on your Mac.

Virtual machines created in VMware products for the PC will also be able to be run on VMware for the Mac. Intel's VT virtualization technology will be taken advantage of on Intel-based Macs.

Virtualization has become a big topic not only in the computer industry in general, but extremely so for Apple's platform since the start of the year. Parallel's Desktop for Mac made headlines when it was first introduced earlier this year. With Parallel's virtualization, users saw performance that was never before seen, thanks in a large part to VT technology in the latest Intel processors.

In an effort to boost virtualization awareness, both Microsoft and VMware previously made both their flagship virtualization products available for free. VMware will be showing off a demo of its new virtualization platform for OS X today, while Apple's own World Wide Developers Conference (WWDC) is occurring.

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By nerdboy on 8/7/2006 11:09:20 AM , Rating: 2

I think its great that all these peopel go out a pay anyware from 1200 to 5000 for a MAC and then they want to run windows.

RE: ?

By vortmax on 8/7/2006 11:11:57 AM , Rating: 3

Working in a business that supports both OSes, it's a very good idea and saves $ since you only have to purchase 1 cpu.

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RE: ?

By nerdboy on 8/7/06, Rating: 0

RE: ?

By plinden on 8/7/2006 12:22:22 PM , Rating: 2

Think Linux - I use Parallels on my Mac, with Debian, Fedora and RedHat ES distros running in VMs. I can do all my coding on the Mac, and test it out in the Linux VMs, with no rebooting or any need for more than one machine.

I had Windows installed briefly, but I never used it, so I removed it to free up the disk space.

The only problem with Parallels is that it doesn't support VM images, so I had to install the distros myself rather than use the VMs from work. I'll be trying out the VMWare beta with VM images from work to compare it with Parallels.

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RE: ?

By kelmon on 8/7/2006 12:33:23 PM , Rating: 2

I think you make the assumption that people intend to run Windows as the main operating system, which is obviously daft. I'll be running Windows to access the few sites at work that still require IE and possibly Outlook since Entourage's Exchange support is not as good as it should be.

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Many NEED to run Windows - not WANT to run Windows

By DallasTexas on 8/8/2006 10:33:24 AM , Rating: 2

You're confused by the notion of having virtualization on a MAC. The fact is, the MAC has a superior GUI and Apple produces superior design which appeals to many users invested in the Windows environment.

While most in here, prefer the 1,000 Watt, overclocked, see-through tower with 11 fans, there is a LARGE number of users that want a MAC but do not want to forfeit their Windows investment.

I think VT represents a HUGE opportunity for Apple to take a bite of Windows buyers. With VT, the compatibility issue is solved.

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Wow, that IS big...

By The Boston Dangler on 8/7/2006 8:32:06 PM , Rating: 2

My opinion, this blows away Boot Camp.

RE: Wow, that IS big...

By Master Kenobi

(blog) on 8/8/2006 9:48:13 AM , Rating: 2

If it works as advertised, yes it makes Boot Camp worthless.

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Cool product...

By vortmax on 8/7/2006 11:10:04 AM , Rating: 2

I hope they've got the graphics native for final release. That's the only problem with the betas....

VT support in VMware Mac only...

By blckgrffn on 8/8/2006 12:22:04 PM , Rating: 2

And they will be adding windows/ESX support for VT when?

"Paying an extra $500 for a computer in this environment -- same piece of hardware -- paying $500 more to get a logo on it? I think that's a more challenging proposition for the average person than it used to be." -- Steve Ballmer