As much as I’d like to use Mac OS X for everything, there are just some things that are not (yet) available on the Mac. This includes firmware updates for my Garmin Forerunner 305, mapping software for my iQue 3600, etc. In addition, certain websites just don’t work on my browsers. With the switch to Intel, it was only a matter of time before companies started developing virtualization software for the Mac; this is different than emulation as the instruction set isn’t emulated and goes right to the processor resulting in excellent performance. Recently Apple announced Boot Camp with isn’t virtualization software, but allows an Intel based Mac to dual boot into Windows. This isn’t very interesting to me as I only need to pop into Windows once in awhile and if I have to reboot, might as well just boot my Windows machine that I control via Windows Remote Desktop. Right after Apple announced Boot Camp, a product called
Parallels was released. I installed the trial on the Intel iMac I have on my desk, installed Fedora Core 5 and was amazed at the performance. I then installed Windows XP, but since I have an OEM version for my Dell, I can’t activate it on another CPU and fully test it. However, they’re offering a pre-order price of $39.99 vs. $49.99, so I couldn’t pass this up. Even at $49.99, it is a bargain. However, now I need to find an inexpensive copy of the full Windows XP so that I don’t have to use my Windows machine. (Right now Parallels doesn’t handle USB devices attached to the Mac, but if the speed at which they’re putting out betas is any indication, I think that by the time I get my MacBook Pro, that will be worked out.)
While I don’t want to run Windows, at least this software will allow me to run it easily without having to start my Windows machine (which also means that I’ll be able to use it when I’m away from home).