VirtualBox

VirtualBox Premium Edition is the new, easy way to run Windows applications on your Mac. With StarOffice also included free*, it allows you to start working with Microsoft Office documents straight away! Its powerful virtualization software allows you to run many other guest Operating Systems (OSes) too.

What is Virtualization?

Virtualization is a proven software technology that is transforming the IT world and changing the way that people compute. It makes it possible to run multiple operating systems (or “Virtual Machines”) and applications all on one computer at the same time. Virtualization is a technology that can benefit anyone who uses a computer – it helps you achieve more from the computer hardware you already own. Generally, the hardware you already own is called the “Host” and any “Virtual Machines” you run on this are called “Guests”.

How Does Virtualization Work?

It transforms or “virtualizes” the hardware resources of a computer including the CPU, RAM, hard disk and network controller—to create a fully functional virtual machine that can run its own operating system and applications just like a “real” computer.

Multiple virtual machines share hardware resources without interfering with each other so that you can safely run several operating systems and applications at the same time on a single computer.

What are the uses of Virtualization?

Virtualization has uses for almost anyone who owns computer hardware. It allows you to run various OSes on your machine side by side without rebooting. For example, you can run Windows Vista on your Mac, and then run Windows Applications such as Microsoft Office inside the Virtual Windows Machine - allowing you to run applications on your Mac that you wouldn’t normally be able to.

It is also useful from a security perspective. You can install software or download files from the internet without worrying - any issues created by the install or viruses accidentally downloaded, can simply be wiped by deleting your Virtual Machine and installing a new one! You can also snapshot your machine – particularly useful if you ever need to recover data, you can revert back to a previous snapshot quickly and easily.

It also allows users to choose the hardware they wish to run without being tied to the OS that runs the applications they need. It allows users to choose to buy and run a Mac machine, even if they need to run Windows Vista and associated applications.

* StarOffice 8 previously sold at £49.99

• Run the Windows applications you need on your Mac
• Switch between Mac OS X and Windows without rebooting
• Use Windows and Mac applications at the same time or side by side
• Use your existing Virtual Machines with VirtualBox Premium1

Work With Microsoft Office Documents

• With StarOffice included (worth £49.99)*, you can open, edit, share and save Microsoft Office documents such as Word and Excel at no extra cost!

Hardware & Device Support

• Use your favourite USB 1.1 and 2.0 devices, with a filter to control the devices detected.
• CD/DVD pass-through – burn CDs and DVDs directly from Windows applications

A Secure Multi-Platform Desktop

• Using a virtual machine, you don’t need to worry about getting a virus or malware – you can throw your Virtual Machine away when you’re done, and start again.
• Save multiple snapshots of your Virtual Windows Machine, to make backup and recovery easy.
• No interference or data leakage between Virtual Machines.
• No hard-drive partitioning required.

Running Windows On Your Mac Is Easy!

• Run Windows on your Mac at near-native speed.
• Seamless – Windows Applications can run alongside Mac applications.
• Shared folders – easily share files between Operating Systems.
• Mouse integration, shared clipboard and clock synchronisation.
• Automatic adjustable screen resolution – Mac and Windows work as you expect them to!

* StarOffice 8 previously sold at £49.99 

• 32 or 64-bit Intel or AMD x86 CPU 1.5GHz or faster,
• 512 MB minimum available memory (1 GB recommended),
• 30 MB hard disk space plus storage for guest machines,
• DVD ROM drive,
• Internet Connection required for online updates. Windows and other operating systems to be purchased separately.

Windows Hosts:

• Windows XP (all SPs- 32 bit),
• Windows Server 2003 (32-bit),
• Windows Vista (32 & 64 bit),
• Apple Mac OS X Hosts (Intel hardware only, all versions of Mac OS X supported)

Linux Hosts (32 bit & 64 bit):

• Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 and 4.0,
• Fedora Core 4 to 8, Gentoo Linux,
• Redhat Enterprise Linux 3, 4 and 5,
• SUSE Linux 9 & 10, openSUSE 10.1, 10.2 and 10.3, Ubuntu 5.10, 6.06, 6.10, 7.04, 7.10, Mandriva 2007, 1 and 2008.0

Solaris Hosts (32 bit & 64 bit):

• OpenSolaris (Nevada build 81 and higher),
• Solaris 10 (u4 and higher, experimental support)