VMWare On Mac OSX Coming?

This would be ultra sweet.

Now I dont have an intel mac, and ive never even seen parallels in action, but the general concensus seems to be that it is a great piece of software. Aside from a lack of high end graphics support, is there anything that VMware could possibly improve on what parallels has already done? Or are we just going to have many versions of the same software from Parallels, VMware, and Microsoft (VirtualPC)

I say, the more options the better. If VPC makes software too, that'd be great. I don't know if there are any limitations or small quirks when using parallels software, and if there will be any with VMWare or VPC, but it's quite possible that each will offer something slightly different. Plus, the competition can only do good things. Right now, my only real option is VPC, and although I'm happy with it, it'd sure be nice if a bunch of other softwares were around to push the importance of perfecting it.

Anyhow, my opinion is that apple should either buy one of these companies, or work on their own virtualization software. It's debateable for sure, but my hunch says that boot camp and a piece of virtualization software could really help the push to get people to switch.

Jephrey

A little late in the game, I'd say. The only thing VMware can do is offer a cheaper alternative to Parallels, and the ability to use existing VMware machines from Linux/Windows on your Mac without having to recreate them (which wouldn't be that many users).

One of the benefits of VMware, if they port to OSX, is they will have all the major OS's covered. I use a Mac,Windows and Linux systems at work. I find that I often move my VM's around quite a bit. I can share Virt.PC VM's with my Windows box and Mac, but I can’t share them with my Linux box. Same problem with VMWare today, I can share between my Linux box and Windows, but not with the Mac. This would allow me to use one platform.

[kainjow beat me to it]

A little late in the game, I'd say. The only thing VMware can do is offer a cheaper alternative to Parallels, and the ability to use existing VMware machines from Linux/Windows on your Mac without having to recreate them (which wouldn't be that many users).

hahaha. cheaper than parallels?? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

This is good news.

Also, there is at least one other solution on the horizon: Q at

http://www.kberg.ch/q/

Q is not as refined as Parallels (alpha), but it is pretty good and has some nice features:

1) you can run the Vista Beta 2 on Q

2) Q will run on PPC or intel Macs

3) Q can import VPC virtual machines

4) Q has multiple, pre-installed OSes available for download

I have run many windows emulators over the years (SoftWindows, Virtual PC, etc.) and the current offerings (especially on a MacTel) are great.

I have never owned a PC, and never will... but there are some Win apps that I must run.

I try to support them all (purchase or donation) because you can never have too many options...

My current favorite is running Parallels with a Win real-time Stock Market app while running a TV Market show streamed from the family room with CyTV (OS X only). With virtue Desktop I immediately switch between full-screen Stock Info & full-screen TV... really neat

Dick

A little late in the game, I'd say. The only thing VMware can do is offer a cheaper alternative to Parallels, and the ability to use existing VMware machines from Linux/Windows on your Mac without having to recreate them (which wouldn't be that many users).

The could be innovative and find a way to use the Windows partition from Bootcamp as the hard drive within VMWare, as an option. That would allow those who want it to have only one Windows setup, accessible through both a virtualization product (within OS X) and standalone with full access to hardware. There are probably way more potential snags or roadblocks to this than I can imagine, but there may be room for differentiation.

hahaha. cheaper than parallels?? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

They offer a free version for Windows/Linux.

The other thing that they offer is Enterprise credibility... Not knocking Parallels, but VMWare has been at this for a while and has street cred.

Personally, I still want Crossover Office!

B

It's doubtful if VMware's offering will be a cheaper alternative to Parallels, considering that VM Workstation is currently about $180, I think ( I'm discounting VMware Player, as it doesn't allow the creation of VM's, and Parallels don't have an equivalent product to the free VMware Server ).

Feature-wise, there isn't much between them ( VMware supports ACPI, for example ). As has been pointed out, the main benefit to VMware, is the ability to move the VM's between machines/OS's. I haven't tried, but I don't think it's possible to move a VM from OSX to Win32/Linux with Parallels.

I'd be happy to see VMware come out with a Mac offering ( and soon ). The more options, the better off we are. I can see the only loser here being Microsoft. VMware already have a reputation for credible VM software, and Parallels have the distinction of being the first to market. The lack of info on VPC for Intel Macs ( apart from a mention saying they were talking with Apple to see if it is feasible, see here, http://www.microsoft.com/mac/default.aspx?pid=macIntelQA ) makes me wonder if MS are wondering if it's worth the bother.

Be interesting to see if Apple make a move on Parallels, in the long run. I think that VMware will be a little too large for Apple to swallow.