A DESCRIPTION OF THE DIFFERENT PC AND MACINTOSH AND OPERATING SYSTEM

Product
Description
Virtual PC 7
The top Pentium PC emulator for Power PC Macs. Runs Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP. Good compatibility with Windows business software and Windows networking software.
VPC is the most full-featureed PC emulator, and probably the fastest. Cut and paste between Mac and Windows environments, and drag and drop file copying between the two. Can run multiple instances of Windows or Linux at the same time. Version 6 added a Start menu to the Mac OS X Dock. Windows applications also appear in the Dock.
NOTE: Windows 2000 is the fastest version of Windows to run on VPC. Windows XP runs much slower. (See the MacWindows VPC 7 Report page for more info.)
Guest PC
X86 Emulator for Mac OS X. Guest PC supports every version of Windows from Windows 3.1 to Windows XP Professional. Comes with DOS preinstalled. Users need to install their own copy of Windows. The system comes with a Windows Setup Assistant to help users install Windows and setup modem, printer, and network connection.
Can mount Mac OS drives on the Windows desktop using networking. You can also mount Guest PC virtual hard disks on the Mac desktop by double clicking on the Guest PC configuration file. Prints to the Mac default printer.
Introduced in February 2005.
iEmulator (for Mac OS X
(Also runs on Intel Macs)
Low-cost PC emulator, comes with a DOS operating system on a DOS boot floppy image and a DOS formatted hard disk image. iEmulator can run Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP; the developers recommend Windows 2000 as the fastest version of Windows. (Windows 2000 is also the fastest version of Windows to run in Microsoft's Virtual PC.) Like Virtual PC, iEmulator can have multiple virtual machines booted at the same time.
Introduced in November 2004.
Based on the QEMU engine.
WinTel
A commercial package based on the open-source Bochs emulator (see above). Runs Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP and Linux/Unix operating systems. Available with DOS or with one of 10 Linux/Unix OS's preinstalled.
VPC Helper
An inexpensive utility designed to increase the performance of Connectix Virtual PC emulator. It can quit hidden background applications, set your Virtual Memory and disk cache settings, and set extension/control panel startup settings for optimal Virtual PC performance.
Bochs (for Mac OS X)
An open source PC emulator, now available for Mac OS X. It includes emulation of the Intel x86 CPU, common I/O devices, and a custom BIOS. Currently, Bochs can be compiled to emulate a 386, 486 or Pentium CPU. Bochs is capable of running most Operating Systems inside the emulation including Linux and Windows.

Running Windows by Remote Control
A Windows application server is software that allows Macintosh, Windows and UNIX users on a network to view and control applications that are running on a Windows NT Server, and sometimes a UNIX server. There are several types. The first uses X11 (also called X Window or X Terminal) technology, which comes out of the UNIX world. For these, the Macs much be running X11 software called "X servers," such as eXodus for Macintosh from PowerLAN (see table below). The second type uses ICA technology from Citrix. Some products support both X11 and ICA protocols.
Company
Product
Description
Citrix Systems
ICA server, client
The Citrix WinFrame ICA application server software runs on Windows NT, enables clients to run Win 32-bit applications over the network. Clients are free. Clients are available for Windows, Macintosh, DOS, and UNIX. Also a JAVA client that runs on any JAVA virtual machine.
Citrix Systems
GoToMyPC
Citrix took its technology for business enterprise and ported it to a cross-platform, web-based remote control system that lets a Mac, Windows, or Linux/Unix user control a PC over the Internet. (It does not let Windows users control a Mac.) Unlike products such as Timbuktu, GotoMyPC is a web-based subscription service that comes with software that installs on the host PC. User can access the host PC by logging in through a web browser. (A PC Magazine review describes how it works.) GoToMyPC works through firewalls without requiring configuring or opening ports or open ports. The Pro version lets you control multiple PCs. GoToMyPC is sold as a subscription.
LogMeIn.com
LogMeIn
LogMeIn, Inc., is a Java-based remote control subscription service that works through a web browser, and comes in free and commercial versions. LogMeIn.com is similar to Citrix’ GoToMyPC, but with a different pricing scheme. LogMeIn.com starts you with a paid subscription, but you can switch to a free basic plan.
Java-based remote control software that works through a web browser. 256-bit encryption (SSL); can acccess multiple Windows PCs through one account.
Symantec
pcAnywhere
Similar to Timbuktu Pro, pcAnywhere is software that installs on the users computers, and lets a user control another computer of the same or different operating system, including running applications.
Version 12.0 was the first version to include a Mac OS X version. Linux support is also available.
Motorola
(formerly Netopia)
Timbuktu Pro

Like pcAnywhere, Timbuktu is a peer-to-peer remote control program that enables a Mac OS or Windows machine to control each other, as long as all machines involved have Timbuktu installed. Also does fast file transfers and real-time audio conferencing. Multiple users can view a machine, as in a classroom setting. Enterprise addition includes extra security and administration features.
Real VNC
Virtual Network Computing (VNC)
VNC is a thin-client, remote viewing software. A Mac client is available for VNC, as are Windows and UNIX clients. There is also a Mac server that supports other OS's viewing it.
Like some of the commercial thin-client systems, the VNC client can control Windows or UNIX machines running the X Window server software.
Originally created by Olivetti Research Laboratory, which became by ATT Laboratories Cambrige. ATT no longer maintains the software. The Real VNC now the official maintainer of the core code. There are mulitple clients and server releases maintained by different organizations.
UltraVNC project
UltraVNC, free
Another VNC-based solution. UltraVNC runs on Windows (95, 98, Me, NT4, 2000, XP, 2003). Unlike other VNC-based solutions, it doesn't require you to install software on the Mac. UltraVNC includes an embedded JavaViewer that allows you to remotely control the Windows machine from a Mac (or other OS) using a web browser. UltraVNC also supports file transfer.
Seeng
Seeng
A free, web-based solution to control remote computers. It's designed for using without complex configuration (such as ports, routers, etc.). You need to register and download the remote client. The computer with this client can be controlled from anywhere using a web browser. The web client is made in Flash.
SourceForge.net
rdesktop (and also here)
(open source)
An open source (free) Mac OS X client for Windows NT/2000 Terminal Server (a competitor to Citrix servers). The developer says "Unlike Citrix ICA, no server extensions are required."
Reader Adrian Cadden says of the software "It's a bit buggy but got potenial."
SoundForge.net
CoRD:
An Aqua port of rdesktop (above), with a native Mac OS X interface. Also a free, open source remote control application for Macs and PCs.
HOB
HobLink JWT
AJava client that enables Macs and other platforms to access applications running on MS Windows Terminal Servers (both NT and 2000). Unlike the Citrix MetaFrame solution, HobLink is purely client based, and doesn't require any new software on the server.
IBM
Desktop On-Call 4
(The main page for DTOC 4 is Japanese only)
Cross-platform remote control program differs from Timbuktu (see above) and from thin-client application servers, such as VNC or Cirtix solutions, in that Desktop On-Call lets you control a host PC or Mac from a Web browser using a Java applet.
Desktop On-Call was developed by IBM Japan.Versions through 2.5 available from IBM in the USA, but versions 3 and 4, sold in Japan and through distributors in other countries, have significantly greater cross-platform capabilities.
Microsoft
Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client for Mac OS X
(free)
Enables remote connection and control of Windows PCs computers over a network. It lets Mac OS X connect to Terminal Services on NT 4 Terminal Server, Windows 2000 Server, Windows XP Pro clients, and Windows .NET servers.
It allows remote login and control of Windows XP client computers at any time without end user request, allowing full access to the XP computer.
PowerLAN
(formerly from White Pine Software)
email
eXodus
Since 1989, an X Window server for the Mac. Lets Mac users run host-based X Window applications on Unix workstations and other hosts. Fully X11R6.4 compliant. Rootless (Mac OS) Window Style. Supports hardware acceleration for OpenGL graphics.
Elusiva
Elusiva Terminal Server Pro
An alternative to Microsoft Windows Terminal Server. Elusiva Terminals Server runs on Windows XP and Windows 2003 Small Business Server. Less expensive than Terminal Server, uses the same clients, including the Mac RDC client from Microsoft. This product lets you connect multiple clients to a Windows XP computer.
GraphOn
GO-Global for Windows
Similar to Citrix Systems ICA Server. GO-Global lets you run applications on Windows XP and Windows 2003 Server remotely. Free clients are available for various systems, including Mac OS X. This package is very slick. It was easy to install, and the applications look like they are running locally (as opposed to remote desktop style, where it's obvious you are on another computer).
Running Macintosh Software on Other Platforms:Mac Emulators and Runtime Enviroments
Running Mac OS on PCs or UNIX machines can be done with an emulators or a runtime environment. An emulator, the slower of the two, translates operating system calls into those for a non-native processor. A runtime environment is a native implementation of the OS environment running on top of a Unix (or Unix-like) kernel.
At this point, PearPC is the only software that emulates a PowerPC processor (and Mac OS X) in Windows. The rest all emulate the older 680x0 ("Classic") processor.
For reader comments, see our Mac Emulators for PCs page.
Company or Organization
Product
Host Operating Systems
Description
Apple Computer
Macintosh Application Environment (MAE) 3.0)
Discontinued on 6/1/98.
Solaris and HP-UX
A runtime enviroment that operated in a UNIX X window on Sun SPARC workstations and HP 9000 and 700 workstations. MAE is the most complete Mac environment for another platform. Based on System 7.5.3, MAE 3.0 includes AppleTalk and MacTCP networking, AppleScript, Drag and Drop, PC Exchange, and AppleGuide. MAE 3.0 emulates a 68LC040 processor, and lets you run off-the-shelf Mac software.
ARDISuite 4-1011650 University Blvd., NEAlbuquerque, NM 87102email
Executor 2.0
Windows, Linux x86
A 680x0 emulator for Windows. Runs some pre-OS X software, but has limitations. The company's engineers have reverse-engineered much of the old Mac Toolbox of pre-OS X Macs.
Christian Bauer
Basilisk II
also here
Windows 95/98/NT, BeOS 4, Amiga, and UNIX
From one of the creators of SheepShaver (see below), an open source 680x0 Mac emulator for Windows 95/98/NT, BeOS, Amiga, and UNIX. Emulates either a Mac Classic (which runs Mac OS 0.x thru 7.5) or a Mac II series machine (which runs MacOS 7.x, 8.0 and 8.1), depending on the ROM being used. Supports sound output, color display, 1.44 MB floppies, CD-ROM, Ethernet, SCSI. Emulates extended ADB keyboard and 3-button mouse. Can exchange files with the PC operating system using a "Host Directory Tree" icon on the Mac desktop .
Emulators, Inc14150 NE 20th Street, Suite 302 Bellevue, WA 98007 206-236-0540fax: 206-236-0257 email

SoftMac 2000
Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows NT/2000/XP
Emulates the 68000-to-68040 Macintosh at the hardware level, emulating the various chips (like Virtual PC). Runs Mac OS 6-to-8.1.Can run Mac OS in a Windows window and can use Mac disk media. Supports sound and printing. Also emulates Atari. Limitted to 256 colors max.
Fusion 3.0
(free download)
(Purchased form Microcode Solutions, new code added to v. 3)
Windows, but you run in DOS mode.
Version 3 added a new 68040 engine core that uses Pentium II/III/Celeron/Athlon optimized code similar to that in SoftMac.
The Mace Project
DICONTINUED
Mace (freeware)
Windows, Linux-on-PC
Another experimental Macintosh 680x0 emulator, which has not evolved past early stages. Mace does not emulate a Macintosh, instead it emulates the Macintosh operating system and Toolbox (the ROM) resulting in the ability to run Macintosh software. Mace will NOT require a Macintosh ROM or the Mac OS like most Macintosh emulators. The emulation of the Mac OS and Toolbox (ROM) will be less compatible than other emulators. Mace will make Macintosh applications look like Windows applications.
Mac-on-Linux
Mac-on-Linux (freeware)
LinuxPPC
An open source Macintosh emulator that runs on top of LinuxPPC. It runs on Macintosh hardware, so the processor is NOT emulated. It can boot Mac OS 8.6-to-9.2 within Linux without a ROM image.
Maui X-Stream Inc.
CherryOS
DISCONTINUED
Windows XP
A G4 (AltiVec) emulator for Windows XP that can run Mac OS X on a PC. Some of its features include:
Network and Internet access
Drag and drop copying of files from Windows and Mac OS X CD/DVD drive access
PearPC Project
PearPC
Windows, Linux
The first PowerPC emulator running in Windows and Linux on Intel-based PCs. PearPC can run Mac OS X "with some caveats," according to the developers, Sebastian Biallas and Stefan Weyergraf, who give the warning:
Please note that this is an experimental program not meant for productive use. There are still unimplemented instructions, mysterious bugs and missing features. Don't use it on important data, it WILL destroy them sooner or later!
SheepShaver Project
SheepShaver
Mac OS 9, Mac OS X for PowerPC and Intel Macs
An Open Source PowerPC Mac OS run-time environment for x86 PCs and also Mac hardware. When running in Mac OS X, Sheepshaver functions similarly to Classic. On Intel Macs, Sheepshaver replaces Classic functionality that Apple dropped. SheepShaver runs Mac OS 7.5.2 through Mac OS 9.0.4 on these systems.
The vMac Group
vMac (freeware)
Windows 95, Windows 98 Windows NT, DOS, OS/2, Linux, NeXTStep for Intel, Unix X Window
A Mac Plus, Motorola 68000 emulator that requires (but doesn't provide) Mac Plus ROM chips. You use utilities to create a software "ROM image" which runs on Windows. The most recent version of Mac OS that vMac runs is System 7.5.5. vMac currently runs in black and white. Comes with a "ROM dumper" utility to create Mac ROM image file from Mac ROMs in a working Mac. vMac is available as a free download.
Running Linux and UNIX On Mac Hardware
Unlike that Windows-on-Mac products listed above, running Unix and Linux on Macintosh hardware is not emulation, but the "real deal" a version of Unix that runs natively on the PowerPC (or 680x0) hardware.
A good source of information about the various versions of Linux that run on Macintosh is the Linux on PowerPC FAQ.
Company
Product
Description
Apple Computer
Darwin(free download or nominal payment for CD set)
The open source operating system core of Mac OS X. Darwin 1.0 is based on FreeBSD UNIX and the Mach 3 kernel. Though aimed at developers, Apple says Darwin 1.0 has "one-click installation."
Includes "preliminary support for Intel, allowing developers to begin bringing Darwin to the Intel platform. All sources compile for Intel, and there is preliminary support for some Intel systems. However, in order for Darwin to run on Intel, driver development and work on platform support will be necessary."


Mac OS X Server

Apple's next-generation commercial server product release in March of 1999. It is based on the same Mach kernel used in MkLinux and inlcudes BSD 4.4 environment. Includes many of the services of AppleShare IP (web, file, print, etc.). Also includes a feature called Netboot that allows recent Mac models to boot and run software from the server.
Debian
Debian GNU/Linux
(freeware)
Debian uses the Linux kernel (the core of an operating system), but most of the basic OS tools come from the GNU project. Comes with more than 3950 packages, precompiled software packages. Not generally geared for consumers.
MkLinux.org
(formerly Apple)
MkLinux
MkLinux was Apple's port of Linux to Power Macintosh. Based on the Mach kernel (used in Mac OS X). The only version of Linux to work on a NuBus Power Mac.
Was at Apple's web site for a while, but was spun off to a separate organization after Darwin was launched.
OpenBSD
OpenBSD for PowerPC and
OpenBSD for 68k Mac
A free UNIX derived from the same kernel as NetBSD (next row bellow), but different. Available for multiple platforms.
The PowerPC version supports the 750 (G3), G4, and G5. (All PowerPC Macs after the Blue and White G3.)
The 68k version supports 68020, 68030, or a 68040 processors.
The NetBSD Project
NetBSD/MacPPC
NetBSD is a free version of Unix available for multiple platforms. Available for PowerPC Macs as well as 680X0 Macs. Runs on a variety of models, including PowerBooks and iMacs.
NetBSD is available as a free download and as a CD-ROM.
PenquinPPC
hfsplus for Linux
Package that provides access to HFS+ drives from Linux.
SuSE Linux
(German language here)
SuSE Linux 7.0 PowerPC Edition
From this distributor of Linux for x86 systems, the first Mac version shipped in mid-2000. The company says that SuSE Linux "includes all of the Open Source software found in the Intel version, and is identical to use and administer to other SuSE Linux versions."
Verision 7 comes on five CD-ROMs containing over 1000 applications, including "image processing software, desktop applications, emulators, and the wide range of available window managers, network tools and editors." It also inlcudes MoL (Mac on Linux), a network-capable Mac OS environment in a window or in full-screen mode. Includes 60 days installation support via telephone, Email and fax.
TurboLinux
TurboLinux for PowerPC
PPC version discontinued
A package that included both the Mach microkernel used in Apple's MkLinux and the native kernel ported by Paul Mackerras and the pmac team. A Mac installer let you choose which kernel you want and installs the appropriate control panels, extensions, etc.
Tennon Intersystems 800-662-2410 800-662-2410 , 805-963-6983 805-963-6983
MachTen
The longest-running Unix for Mac (since 1990). Hundreds of applications available. Mach kernel and BSD 4.4 (both of which are used in Mac OS X). Available for Power Macintosh and clones and 680X0 Macs--also runs on PowerBooks.
Power MachTen is a faster version for Power Macs.
Terra Soft Solutions, Inc.
YellowDog Linux
Linux server products for Power PC Macs, iMacs, PowerMac G3s, and Blue & White G3s. According to the company , it is " designed specifically for internet, intranet, development, and other mission-critical environments that demand the most out of the operating system."