Apple sensibly sees compatibility as the way forward

Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac 7.0

If computer maker Apple has taught PC makers a thing or two about styling and design in the past few years, the so-called "IBM compatible" PC still has one major advantage: flexibility.

Not only is it easier to pull the hardware apart and build your own system with a PC, but with 95 per cent of the computer market PC-based, the user is spoilt for choice when it comes to software.

But as Apple goes mainstream with cheaper Macs, it has sensibly forged links with PC-centric software suppliers, most importantly Microsoft.

The MS Office program set has been built for the Mac operating system and, as iPod's success began to take off, the wise decision was made to make the device and its iTunes software compatible with PCs.

As far as running the Windows operating system itself, however, the only option is Virtual PC.

The software basically tricks the Mac into thinking it's a PC and emulates the performance of a PC, allowing Windows to run all those programs that Mac doesn't support.

It's a clever system but why would you use it?

Maybe you are using Mac publishing software but your trusty accounting system is PC based. Before you would have left the PC in the corner of the office for use only when it was time to send out the invoices or pay the staff.

Virtual PC lets you run that functionality off one machine. The software is popular with web developers who are working on Macs but want to be able to see how the finished websites appear when viewed on the Windows platform.

With Virtual PC, Windows can appear in a cut-down browser or take over the Mac to become your full-screen desktop.

You can cut and paste from documents between the Mac and Windows operating systems and share files between them. Press print in Virtual PC and print documents through your existing Mac settings.

Shutting down Windows will put it in sleep mode allowing you to relaunch where you left off.

PC peripherals such as mice, keyboards and printers will work on the Mac using drivers loaded into Virtual PC.

The Windows icon will also appear in the familiar Mac dock at the bottom of the screen for easy access. You can install different versions of Windows with XP coming as standard.

This time around, Virtual PC is designed for Mac OS X, Apple's latest operating system and supports the G5 - Apple's top line machine.

The one big drawback is Virtual PC's performance.

PC users who have been running remote desktop functions will be familiar with the noticeable lag as programmes load and changes are saved.

That's an inherent flaw in software emulation.

Most programmes worked well running on a mid-grade G4, though games and media players run sluggishly.

Virtual PC is for those Mac users who rely on certain PC programs to do business.

The degraded performance is balanced against the inconvenience and expense of having to maintain a totally separate machine.

* Pros: Integrates well with Mac OSX, most PC software and peripherals will work

* Cons: Lag in viewing screens, especially on slower systems

* Price: $529 (with Windows XP Professional)

* Herald rating: 4/5