Microsoft abandons Virtual PC for Intel-based Macs

8 August 2006 13:49 GMT / By Amber Maitland

Microsoft is ditching its Virtual PC software that lets Macs run Windows and Windows applications.

Although support for Virtual PC for PowerPC-based Macs will still be available, Microsoft has no plans to create the software for Intel-based Macs.

The software company said that to develop Virtual PC for Intel-based Macs would be like building a version 1.0.

Competitors like Parallels Desktop are already available, and are quicker than Virtual PC. Apple has also announced at the WWDC that Boot Camp, its software that allows Intel Macs to operate Windows natively, will ship with its newest computers.

Microsoft also said that it is still working on a Universal Binary version of Mac Office, but it could not provide a shipment or release date for the software.

In a statement, Microsoft said, “The (Macintosh business unit) still recognizes that customers need access to Windows applications from their Intel-based Macs and feels confident that alternative solutions offered by Apple and other vendors, combined with a fully packaged retail copy of Windows will satisfy this need".

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Software, Mac software, Operating Systems, Microsoft, Windows XP, Gaming, Xbox 360