Tim Gaden05 September 2006, 1:44 PM
CodeWeavers has released an free beta of an app that allows Windows software to run natively in OS X on Intel-based Macs -- albeit with some quirks at this stage.
CodeWeavers has released a free Mac beta of CrossOver, its implementation of the open source Wine Win32 API emulator, which allows users on other platforms to run Windows apps "as if natively" (as the company puts it) without the hassle of installing Windows itself.
The company's Linux version of the CrossOver has an established history. The Mac version is still new and not quite as capable yet, but showing great promise.
CrossOver provides official support for over 50 applications including Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Project,
Microsoft Visio, Half-Life 2 and Quicken. However, the functionality of the emulation varies widely. It can run Outlook 2000 and 2003 too.
Most of the fifty apps run with Bronze or Silver "medals", indicating the level at which the app actually performs. Only programs from Office 97 run at a Gold medal standard.
Still, life is not all productivity apps. CrossOver was able to run a number of favourite games from my old pre-switching days.
The latest version of Steel Panthers, a fairly high-powered WWII tactical combat simulator, loaded up no worries:
Diablo II also runs sweetly enough after some tweaking.
CrossOver is not yet a threat to Parallels Workstation or Boot Camp in the productivity / work arena, but it's great for quickly firing up a session of Russkie bashing. And it can only get better.
Sign up for access to the beta at CodeWeaver's web site.