Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by Dan Knight
- 2006.04.27
This Week's Macintel News
Windows, Windows everywhere, while Universal Binaries are taking
a back seat. Creative Mac finds that Adobe apps on Windows can be
much faster than Mac apps when run on Macintel hardware, which
could make Boot Camp or Parallels Workstation useful tools in the
graphics arsenal.
Speaking of Photoshop, it should be native for Macintel in
2007.
In other developments, Gateway has a 12" widescreen laptop with
a very slow (1.06 GHz) Intel Core Solo. You can bet Apple would
never release a MacBook as slow as that!
PowerBook, iBook, and other portable computing news is covered
in The 'Book Review. General
Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod news is covered
in The iNews Review.
WinXP on Mac
The Macintel Transition
Intel News
WinXP on Mac
Windows an Option when PowerPC Apps Also
Available for Windows
Creative Mac's Dave Nagel says:
"I suppose it's appropriate that the first time I use Windows XP
it be on a Mac. Weird, but appropriate. But a man has to do what a
man has to do, and my task is to see how well creative software
runs on the Apple MacBook Pro in the Windows environment. The
results were surprising. I expected it to be fast, seeing how
native Mac software is so fast on this notebook, but I never
expected it to be this fast - surpassing, in some cases, desktop
systems running on G5, Xeon and Opteron chips.
"The significance of this speed is two-fold. As we've seen from
some previous benchmarks, non-native applications running in Mac
OS X can, at times, be cripplingly slow - After Effects,
LightWave, Maya, etc. And so, for those adopting the Intel-based
Mac platform before these applications run natively in Mac
OS X on Intel hardware, there's a need for an interim
solution. While working in Windows may not be the ideal solution
(to put it mildly), it is a solution.
"The second significance is for those who already work on
multiple platforms and are considering using the MacBook as the
one-stop solution to their needs. It used to be that if you worked
on multiple platforms (Mac and Windows), you had to buy two
separate machines. Now, with Intel-based Mac systems and Apple's
Boot Camp technology, you can accomplish it all on one piece of
hardware - and without a sacrifice in performance, unlike the days
of VirtualPC and other stop-gap solutions.
"So what kind of performance can you expect to see when you're
running Windows on the high-end MacBook? In a word:
impressive...."
- Link: Benchmarks:
Windows XP on the MacBook Pro Adobe After Effects, Photoshop and
Illustrator Performance Tests
Can Boot Camp Really Give Windows the
Boot?
AppleMatters' Chris Howard says:
"Recently Chris Seibold in his excellent article No Magic Bullet
for the Mac, discussed Boot Camp and other developments of late,
and their likely affect on the Mac's personal computer
market-share. I want to go a little further and asked the question,
just what is the Mac's maximum market-share? Can Windows be booted
altogether?
"Whenever Apple comes out with a new product or direction, we
Appleites salivate at the prospect of wiping Windows off the face
of the Earth. Of course, we know that's not possible. The only
company that can rid us of Windows is Microsoft - either by
catastrophic failure or replacing it with a new operating
system.
"When Boot Camp was released, I spoke to a few of my former
peers from my days as an IT manager in a corporate Windows
environment. The big question of course was, 'Would the release of
Boot Camp make you consider Macs running Windows?' Unanimously,
they said no. The interesting thing though was it wasn't just
because there is no vendor support for Windows on Macs, but also
because they are Macs. There is a wall, conscious or not, up
against Macs among my former peers. And I suspect it pervades the
whole industry."
- Link:
Can Boot Camp Really Give Windows the Boot?
Mac Resellers Extend WinXP Installs to New
MacBook
TechWeb.com's Gregg Keizer reports:
"Several resellers started taking orders late Monday for Apple
Computer Inc.'s new 17-inch
MacBook Pro with Windows XP pre-installed for as little as $55
extra, following moves last week to offer buyers a dual-boot
notebook out of the box....
"In a check of several Macintosh reseller sites late Monday,
TechWeb found numerous package deals that included Windows XP Home
or Professional pre-loaded, or options that let buyers add the
second OS to the MacBook Pro."
- Link:
Mac Resellers Extend XP Pre-Installs to New MacBook
A Switcher's Guide to Windows/OS X
ExtremeTech's Jason Cross reports:
"It seems like every other blog, forum, or tech enthusiast site
is talking about Apple's new Boot Camp beta, which makes it
extremely easy to dual-boot to Windows XP on Intel-based Macs.
There are tons of opinion pieces about what this means for the
industry, what it means for Apple or Microsoft, how it's going to
impact game developers - you name it. It seems as though more and
more users are making the switch - the most vocal are the Windows
users buying Macs for the first time (or the first time in years)
now that they can easily run all their Windows apps. Less vocal,
but definitely out there, are the Mac users making a Windows
partition to gain access to that handful of programs their
Windows-using buddies are always talking about.
"Trying out a new OS can be a bit confusing, at first. Both OS X
and Windows XP are mature, well-aged systems with their share of
quirks and extremely well-established software libraries. Though
they are similar in many ways, there are some fundamental
differences in how each OS is designed to operate. And of course,
with any new OS installation, there are some must-have applications
that simply make life easier.
"So you've got your shiny new Intel-based Mac up and running,
you ran the Boot Camp app and have Windows XP installed
. . . now what? Where do you start? How does the 'other
side' function differently than the one you're used to? What apps
do you need? Certainly, entire books could be written trying to
answer these questions, but we think we can give you a good head
start in your journey to that other operating system. Whether
you're a Mac user delving into Windows XP or a Windows user trying
out your first Mac, our guide will help you get started. We'll try
not to bog you down with too many little details; after all,
exploring is half the fun...."
- Link: A
Switcher's Guide to Windows/OS X
A Few Safety Tips for Using Apple's Beta Boot
Camp
Scripps Howard News Service's James Derk says:
"A small bit of hell froze over recently when Apple released
'Boot Camp,' a tidy piece of free software that allows Windows XP
to run on Intel-based Apple PCs.
"After decades of fighting with Microsoft, there had to be a bit
of 'if you can't beat 'em, join 'em' in this decision, which
boosted Apple's stock price and sent thousands of people to the
stores to buy Apple laptops and desktops.
"But there are a couple of things to keep in mind.
"First, Boot Camp is beta software, meaning Apple is not going
to support it....
"Second, you have to have one of the new Apple PCs with the
Intel processors. Boot Camp won't run on the older Power PC
machines (some of which are still being sold by Apple)....
"Third, keep in mind that installing Boot Camp will change the
configuration of your hard drive....
"Fourth, installing Boot Camp doesn't give you Windows XP. You
need to provide your own full version (not an upgrade version) of
Windows XP Service Pack 2, which will run you about $100 to $200
depending on where you buy it ...."
- Link: A Few
Safety Tips for Using Apple's Beta Boot Camp
Gartner on Boot Camp: A 'Hypervisor' Would Have
Been Better
IT Enquirer reports:
"Boot Camp should meet the needs of users who are occasionally
required to run Windows applications. Users who often need to run
both Windows and Mac OS X applications would have to reboot
repeatedly to switch between the two operating systems. Gartner
believes this is not the experience that most users seek, and that
they are more likely to want to run the Windows applications
natively on the Mac OS X.
"In addition, says Gartner, to enable the dual boot environment,
users need to acquire a full copy of Windows XP. Reusing a disk
from a Windows PC that they already own would violate the terms of
their license....
- Link:
Gartner on Apple Boot Camp: A Hypervisor Would Have Been
Better
Microsoft Finds Apple Move Hard to Swallow
The Post-Gazette's David Radin says:
"Posturing is important in the tech world, where 'coopertition'
- cooperating with your competition - is just as important and
widely practiced as competition itself. That may explain why Apple
suddenly is vocal about a Mac that runs Windows and Microsoft is
silent about the same subject.
"As we had predicted, in recent weeks the new Intel-based
Macintosh computers have been shown to run Windows - not just in
one way, but in three different ways. Smart techies, competing for
cash prizes, proved that almost anybody with a Windows XP license
could load it on a new Mac. Then two commercial solutions arose.
Parallels Software International created a program that can run
both operating systems simultaneously; and Apple released 'Boot
Camp,' its official software to let Windows run on a new Mac.
"The Apple solution requires users to reboot their systems to
change from Windows to Mac OS and vice versa; and the company says
it's for two types of users - those who want a Mac but need an
occasional Windows application, and for those who are afraid to
leave Windows behind when they switch over to a Mac computer.
"If Parallels works the kinks out of its solution, it will
probably be a solution of choice for those who truly want to switch
between Windows and Mac OS whenever they desire. But the Apple
solution is an 'official' solution so lots of users will buy
it."
- Link: Connected:
Microsoft Finds Apple Move Hard to Swallow
Parallels Workstation Brings 'Virtual Machines'
to the Mac
Macworld's Rob Griffiths reports:
"The past month has been a heady time for Mac users looking to
live in a cross-platform world. First, hackers came up with a
method that let Mac users install and boot Windows XP on an
Intel-based Mac. Then, Apple got into the act with Boot Camp,
software that allows Intel-based Macs to boot into Windows XP but
without a lot of the hurdles associated with the hacked method.
"Shortly after Boot Camp arrived, Parallels unveiled its
Parallels
Workstation, a new 'virtual machine' solution for
Intel-based Macs. As Macworld's resident lab rat, I volunteered to
once again put up my Mac mini Core Duo in an experiment to see just
how Parallels Workstation performs.
"Before we dive in any deeper, though, I thought I'd spend a few
minutes talking about just what a virtual machine is, and why it's
not the same thing as Virtual PC, as easy as it may be to make that
mental comparison. After that, I'll discuss my experiences with
Parallels Workstation."
- Link:
Parallels Workstation Brings 'Virtual Machines' to the Mac
Improve VM Performance, Save Disk Space with VM
Compactor
PR: Parallels announces the beta release of Parallels VM
Compactor 1.0, a powerful, easy to use virtual hard disk management
tool that optimizes performance of any Parallels, VMware, or
Microsoft virtual machine running Windows 2000, 2003, or XP by
compacting its hard drive by up to 80%. Compacted hard disks help
optimize virtual machine performance and more efficiently use real
disk space.
Works with any virtual machine from Parallels, VMware, and
Microsoft
No matter which virtualization solution you use, Parallels VM
Compactor can help you improve virtual machine performance and
better manage physical and virtual disk space. The product works
seamlessly with any virtual machines built with:
Parallels Workstation 2.1 for Windows, Linux or Mac OS X VMware
Workstation
- VMware GSX Server
- VMware Server
- Microsoft Virtual PC
- Microsoft Virtual Server
Get your free 30-day copy of Parallels VM Compactor now.
Let us know your thoughts on VM Compactor. Share your thoughts
on VM Compactor. Share thoughts, bugs, suggestions, and comments
through our online form.
- Link: Parallels VM
Compactor 1.0 Beta
The Macintel Transition
Photoshop Coming to Intel Macs in 2007
digitmag.co.uk reports:
"A Universal Binary version of Adobe's flagship Photoshop
software that will run on Mac computers based on either the legacy
PowerPC or new Intel platform will be available in the first half
of next year, the company's CEO has said.
"The software is one of the highest profile titles that has not
yet been released in the Universal Binary format that Apple. is
encouraging software makers to use. The format allows programs to
run on both PowerPC and Intel-based Macintosh computers. The latest
version of Photoshop Elements, version 4.0, came out in February
and wasn't in Universal Binary because of time constraints, Adobe
said at the time."
- Link: Photoshop
Coming to Intel Macs Next Year
Intel News
New Gateway Laptop Sports Unannounced
Intel CPU
The Register's Tony Smith reports:
"Gateway has begun shipping its latest 'ultra-portable'
notebook, the E-100M. It said the machine was less than an inch
thick and weighs just 1.4 kg (3.2 lbs) and sports a processor Intel
hasn't launched yet. The Core Solo U1300 first appeared on Intel
roadmaps in November 2005 with a Q2 2006 debut.
"The E-100M is based around a 12.1in, 1,280 x 800 widescreen
display driven by the Intel chipset's GMA 950 graphics engine. It's
powered by a single-core Intel Core Solo ultra-low voltage
processor running at 1.06 GHz and sports the chip maker's
802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi adaptor, so it's a Centrino-class laptop."
- Link:
Gateway 12.1in Laptop Sports Unannounced Intel CPU
Date Looms for AMD-Intel Antitrust
Trial
eWeek's John G. Spooner says:
"Advanced Micro Devices is considering a 2008 trial date for its
antitrust lawsuit against rival Intel-a suit that claims Intel used
its position to influence PC makers to limit their purchases of AMD
chips.
"Intel, which was served with the suit on June 28, 2005, has
other ideas."
- Link: Date Looms
for AMD-Intel Antitrust Trial
Intel Launches Pro PC Brand
Team Register reports:
"Intel's marketing department has added the finishing touches to
the vendor's revamped business PC strategy.
"The vendor revealed yesterday that it will target IT managers
under the Intel vPro moniker. The vendor will be pushing security,
manageability and energy saving when it markets the platform, which
is centred on its dual core 64 bit Intel Core processor."
- Link: Intel
Launches Pro PC Brand - Rebadging the Business Desktop
Intel Unveils Game-Changing Direction
for Business PCs
PR: Intel vPro Technology Delivers Strengthened Security,
Cost Reduction and Energy-Efficient Performance
The way the world views and uses business PCs is about to change
with the introduction of Intel Corporation's new Intel vPro
technology, a revolutionary shift in desktop PC security and
manageability along with remarkable energy-saving computing
performance.
Businesses today are plagued by increasing economic and security
threats such as malicious viruses, spyware and identity theft,
while IT managers are driven to improve processes and customer
service models. Intel vPro technology will offer businesses and IT
a competitive edge with breakthrough innovations and technologies
to help get the most out of resources and shrinking IT budgets.
The company today outlined how Intel vPro technology will
deliver these benefits later this year through broad collaborations
with industry-leading software leaders and IT service companies,
and support from PC system manufacturers around the world. Intel
vPro brand is the newest addition to Intel's brand portfolio, and
its first targeting businesses and IT customers.
"Like Intel(R) Centrino mobile technology and Intel Viiv
technology, Intel vPro technology will bring together world-class
innovations throughout the processor, chipsets, networking and
software," said William A. Swope, Intel vice president and director
of Digital Enterprise Brand Management. "This technology
significantly advances desktop PCs and will quite simply offer
businesses security and manageability like never before - all on
one of the most powerful and energy-efficient PCs in the
market."
At the heart of the first Intel vPro-based PCs will be an Intel
Core microarchitecture dual-core processor. This next-generation,
64-bit microarchitecture bestows significant gains in performance
and reductions in power-consumption improving responsiveness and
productivity.
Intel vPro technology also includes the second-generation of
Intel(R) Active Management Technology (Intel AMT) and Intel
Virtualization Technology (Intel VT). Intel VT will be integrated
into the dual-core processor while the next-generation Intel AMT
will be integrated into the new platform chipset. These hardware
innovations, when combined with industry-enabled software
solutions, represent the superior manageability and strengthened
security behind the Intel vPro brand.
Offering businesses avenues to reduce PC support costs, Intel
AMT helps manage, inventory, diagnose and repair PCs even when
systems are turned off or have crashed operating systems or hard
drives. The second generation of Intel AMT offers the ability to
isolate infected PCs before they impact the network and alert IT
when threats are removed.
Further strengthening PC security, Intel VT allows for separate
independent hardware-based environments inside a single PC so IT
managers can create a dedicated, tamper-resistant service
environment - or partition - where particular tasks or activities
can run independently, invisible to and isolated from PC users.
Demonstrating the industry support for Intel vPro technology,
Symantec(1), an IT-trusted industry leader, today announced plans
to work with Intel to build security solutions creating an isolated
environment outside of the main PC operating system for the purpose
of managing security threats. This tamper-resistant virtualized
environment will deliver stronger control and protection in the
data infrastructure.
Support for Intel vPro technology is also evident from new
applications and solutions that will be available over the next
year from global software vendors, including Adobe, Altiris,
Avocent, Check Point, Cisco, Computer Associates, Hitachi JP1, HP
OpenView, Kaspersky Lab, LANDesk, Lenovo, Lockdown Networks,
Microsoft, Novell, Panorama SW, SAP, Skype,
StarSoftComm, SyAM
Software, Symantec and Zenith.
Leaders in the IT services industry are also benefiting from the
built-in manageability capabilities of Intel vPro technology.
Global technology services companies, including Atos Origin, EDS
and Siemens AG have all achieved IT costs reductions through Intel
AMT and have published papers outlining the time and cost saving
benefits of Intel AMT-based platforms.
Intel vPro-based PCs will also include Intel's latest integrated
graphics providing performance for mainstream business applications
and being capable of delivering the full array of graphics
interface features in Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista(1)
operating system.
Intel vPro technology will be part of the Intel Stable Image
Platform program, which offers predictable transitions and promises
that the Intel software stack and drivers will be available and
unchanged for five quarters from the time of the product launch. In
its fourth year, this program allows businesses to qualify a system
once, instead of being forced to requalify the system due to
software or hardware changes.
Intel vPro technology will usher in this new era for business
computing starting in the second half of the year and will be
identified by a new logo on PCs from major system manufacturers and
channel resellers worldwide.
- Link: Intel
