Running Windows Software on Macs

Do you image that you can run Windows software on Mac while you have a Macintosh computer ?

Since Apple decided to change its platform to Intel-based processors beginning in 2006, running Windows programs is now actually very easy. Few companies offers a virtualization software that will allow you to install MS Windows XP or Vista as a Virtual OS on the Intel MAC and run the Windows programs embedded in the OSX screen through a clever usage of resources. (Called Unity in VMWare or Coherence in Parallels desktop).

Sometimes software developers will modify certain parts of a Windows program's source code to make it work with the Mac OS API. Then they will compile it for the Mac's processor type (now referred to as a Universal Binary). If these steps are done correctly, the program will run on a Macintosh. This is called "porting" the software from the PC to the Mac or making it "crossplatform."

Some options for running Windows software on the Mac :

The only way to run Windows programs on a PowerPC-based Macintosh is to use Windows emulation software. This software emulates a PC processor, which allows a native version of Windows, such as Windows XP, to run on older Macs. A popular Windows emulation program is Virtual PC.

Because Virtual PC is an only an emulator, you need to install the Windows operating system on top of the Virtual PC software in order to run Windows programs. Fortunately, Microsoft offers versions of Virtual PC that include Windows, such as Windows XP Professional or Home Edition.

Virtual PC has been around for many years and has evolved along with both the Windows and Macintosh operating systems. It was originally developed by Connectix, which like many innovative software companies, was acquired by Microsoft in 2003. Since then, Microsoft has continued development of Virtual PC and released new versions of the software. However, Microsoft will not be developing new versions of Virtual PC now that Macs are shipping with Intel processors.

Beside the fact you have to purchase emulation software and a Windows operating system license, there is another downside of running Windows programs using Virtual PC. Because the software is emulated, many programs run significantly slower than they would on a Windows machine. While basic programs such as text editors and Web browsers may run relatively well, processor-intensive programs such as graphics editors and 3D games may run too slowly to be usable.

Fortunately, because Intel-based Macs do not require processor emulation, Windows programs can run at their native speed using Apple's Boot Camp software.

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