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Parallels to offer XP compatibility for Win 7
Invites beta testers to the party.
By Tom Jowitt | Techworld
Published: 05:00 GMT, 11 May 09
Parallels is developing a tool that will allow users to run Windows XP applications on machines running Windows 7.
Last month, Microsoft said that it would include an add-on to Windows 7 that will allows users to run applications designed for Windows XP in a virtual machine. The announcement was noteworthy, because it was the first time Microsoft relied on virtualisation technology to provide backward compatibility.
Meanwhile virtualisation vendor Parallels did not reveal too much detail about its offering, other than to confirm that it is indeed working on a XP/Win 7 virtualisation tool.
"Parallels today invited consumers and businesses to sign-up to beta test a solution that enables users to easily migrate to Windows 7 and run legacy Windows programs side-by-side with Windows 7 applications," said the company in an official statement.
Parallels said the new solution would utilise its high performance adaptive hypervisor, as well as technologies such as Coherence and SmartSelect, "innovations that enable users to seamlessly run differing OSs and their applications side-by-side."
"The solution also integrates Parallels' easy-to-use migration tools, such as Parallels Transporter, allowing users to quickly transfer applications and data from older Windows operating systems such as Windows 2000, XP or Vista to a new Windows 7 machine," the company said.
However, it seems that unlike the Microsoft offering, Parallels version will offer something unique. This is because with the Microsoft option, in order to use XP Mode, the user's computer requires an Intel CPU with Intel VT, or an AMD processor with AMD-V.
The problem with this is that many laptops, especially netbooks etc, do not contain the necessary chips. Intel's Celeron and Atom chips for example do not have the virtualisation technology, and neither does AMD's Sempron line.
"Yes we are working on a product to enable people to run legacy applications on Windows 7," a Parallels spokeswoman told Techworld. "The main thing of interest however is Win 7's XP mode has specific hardware requirements. For example, the hardware has to be based on either Intel VTX or AMD's v technology."
"Netbooks often do not contain that technology," she added. "Our version will not have that limitation."
The spokeswoman could not confirm a release date for the product, or even an official name for the forthcoming tool.
Add your commentComments
Dave | Published: 12:49 GMT, 13 May 2009
If you're a gamer then you'll be forced to use Vista or Windows 7 eventually, programmers like to use the latest technology available and DirectX 11 will only be available in Windows 7 or Vista
Steve | Published: 10:03 GMT, 12 May 2009
Hey, Dave. Virtualized compatibility IS a step forward -- if it works. Even Microsoft has acknowledged that the Windows 7 virtualization device for XP users won't work will all otherwise compatible processors, and may not support all XP applications. Apple does have problems with its updates, but many of those vanish when one updates from the website rather than through OS X's "software update" function. I'm old-fashioned -- I don't need every new thing that comes out, even when it's supposedly "better." My test is whether it's better for me. I also kind of like the old saying about not fixin' it if it ain't broken..:) I have virtualization software that I occasionally run inside OS X, but I'm a Windows gamer. So for me, it's Boot Camp and XP. Leopard works for me; XP works for me. I'm sure Windows 7 offers some significant improvements and enhancements over XP, and it will work well for a whole lot of folks who want those enhancements. Guess I'm just not one of 'em.
Dave | Published: 08:02 GMT, 12 May 2009
That's a little unfair, Mac OS is notorious for needing upgraded software to run after a major update. Plus you need to reboot into Windows so virtualised compatibility is a step forward.
Steve | Published: 13:44 GMT, 11 May 2009
I love it -- Windows 7 users will need to run XP in virtual box through Parallels (or the built-in gizmo for XP) because 7 isn't properly backwards compatible in terms of hardware and software. Too bad the Parallels product won't let Windows 7 users run OS X -- then they'd have the best of both worlds -- but I guess Apple kind of beat them to that one. I'll stay with XP, as it runs fine under Boot Camp, I don't need a virtual box, and I don't have to take a new mortgage out to pay for new hardware and application software every time Microsoft screws us over with a major update. I was a Windows guy from the beginning, but not any more.