Tuesday, 8 August 2006

VMware Announces Virtualization for Macs

VMware Inc. has announced a new product that will enable Intel-based Macs to run x86 operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, NetWare and Solaris, in virtual machines at the same time as Mac OS X.

Intel Macs have been out for some time and most of VMware’s competitors have rleased software that allows Windows and other x86-based operating systems to be run within OS X. The company said the new release is a response to its customer demands.

"The demand for this has been unbelievable and it is clearly front and center for Mac users," said Diane Greene, president of VMware. "This announcement brings our desktop platform and add-on capabilities to Mac users, and it will allow them to run a wide variety of operating systems without rebooting. Mac users who also use the PC will be able to use this product to consolidate onto the Mac."

The company said virtual machines created with any of VMware’s products will run on Intel-based Macs and, similarly, non-Mac OS X virtual machines created with the new product will run on the latest versions of other VMware platform products.

The beta release of this product is expected to be available later this year.