Since one of Mr. Jobs’ most impressive features tomorrow is bound to be something related to Windows/virtualization integration, I thought it’d be wise to take a few moments and look at where we stand in the pre-WWDC world.
As most of you are aware, Parallels Desktop remains essentially unchallenged in the realm of Macintel virtualization. It’s fast, efficient, and has become a favorite of InsanelyMac Nation. VMblog had a good interview with the Parallels folks last week. It’s well worth your time to read, but in case you don’t, here's the CliffsNotes version:
VMBlog
: No matter which virtualization platform is used, people always ask about virtualized graphics support. Do you get a lot of questions centered around gaming or high-end graphic support?
BR
: Our ultimate goal is to make Parallels virtual machines identical to “real” machines, and that involves including 3D graphics so people can play games and use high-end rendering software without any performance hit. It’s something that we’re actively working on and hope to include it soon so users can run high-end 3D games just as easily as they can run critical productivity apps like Outlook and Project.
VMBlog
: With the desktop virtualization products that you currently support, what are some of the top feature requests that end users are asking for?
BR
: We’ve had a lot of requests for virtual SMP support and USB 2.0, and both of those will be in the next version of Parallels. We’re also working on a number of booting options that we’re hoping to include as well, and continue to work on the 3D graphics support that I discussed earlier.
VMware, as mentioned in the above interview, has been relatively late to the new Intel Mac scene. As in, hasn’t shown up yet. As in, "still waiting in the car 'cause I'm under 21." According to a few reports, VMware is planning on announcing software for Intel Macs tomorrow… the day (which will live in infamy) of the Keynote.
A company spokesperson would not comment on what VMware would announce, but it is likely that the Palo Alto, Calif., company will demonstrate a Mac version of its virtualization product for running Windows on Intel-powered Macs.
There is also speculation that VMware will demonstrate Windows Vista running in Mac OS X under VMware. Parallels Desktop currently will not run the Windows Vista Beta, which does not support ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), which Vista uses.
And as if news of the battle of the “install the whole OS (including spyware)” titans wasn’t enough, this week also brought information of two other Windows-integration technologies, Crossover and Northstar.
CrossOver from CodeWeavers is a commercial product based on the open-source Wine program. The company has a Linux version and plans to release a Mac version in August. True North Technology's Northstar is a Web-based service that also employs X11 and Java. CrossOver runs only on Intel-powered Macs; Northstar works with PowerPC-based as well as Intel-based Macs.
What is this newcomer Northstar all about?
Like DarWine, Northstar puts Windows applications in an X11 window on the Mac. Users log on to the Northstar service with a Web browser. Northstar then sends down a Java tuner applet that feeds X11 packets that represent the display.
But Northstar strays even further from the virtual machine model and may be an approach that will be more difficult for users to grasp. For starters, Northstar users don't need to own their own Windows applications. True North will license applications on an annual basis, or on a monthly basis if the user only needs to use the application for a short time. The company offers different pricing packages for sets of software, and offers business and enterprise subscriptions. True North will keep Windows application up-to-date and apply the latest service packs.
For a fee, True North will let customers upload their own Windows software to Northstar or mail the company the disc media. The service makes installed software available to the user through an interface element called the Northstar Desktop.
4 different approaches to Mac-Windows integration. 4 different chances for success and failure. Parallels has the benefit of substantial momentum but they’ll certainly meet their match with the much older and venerable VMware throwing its hat into the proverbial ring.
I have the feeling that tomorrow will open a host of new virtualization possibilities. How about you?
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