Crossover Mac Review Mac OS X Windows Emulator

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a copy of CodeWeavers flagship product ‘Crossover Mac’ this week. The software is designed to allow applications from other platforms, primarily Windows, to run seamlessly on Mac OS X without the need for emulators or dual booting the computer which requires a restart and wasted hard disk space.

To say that the software achieves this is an understatement to say the least. During the testing of the program, I found all aspects of it to be pretty much flawless.

The first element of the program that needed testing, was naturally the installation and setup. As with the majority of OS X software, installation was simply a process of drag and drop into the applications folder. Registering the software was a breeze too. I simply had to register on the CodeWeavers website and then register the software using the same details.

So once your all set up and registered, you may wonder where the application has gone. All that is immediately visible is the icon placed in the selected folder, or on the dock whilst open. This is due to the discreet nature of the software. It pretty much stays out of your way, not even running until called upon. However, when you enter any optical medium such as a CD or DVD containing installation files meant for Windows, the application springs into life and loads the files in an extremely similar manner to the auto-boot process on Windows.

There is an almost endless list of software that is compatible with this software. The majority of regularly used programs will most likely be compatible with Crossover Mac. This includes anything from Microsoft Office to Call of Duty. For my initial tests of the software I decided to install Microsoft Office as I decided it would be a useful addition to my Mac as I haven’t developed a great taste for Open Office and haven’t yet bought a copy of iWork since recently purchasing an Apple Mac Mini.

The first stage of installation was fairly lengthy. This was completely due to the fact that it was the first install I had carried out and therefore the system needed to install required fonts and such. After the first installation, any further software I attempted to install was carried off without a hitch. To be honest, this isn’t a major problem anyway. Proceeding with the installation, I was confronted with the usual interface I had found with Windows. The installation process from this point onwards was as quick as any Windows installation.

The trend of native speeds continued throughout use of the application after testing. The program boots with the natural Windows interface. It is not altered to fit the Mac themes which could be taken in either a positive or negative way. Positive due to the fact that many applications wouldn’t be suited to the alterations and may become muddled or difficult to navigate. Negative due to my opinion that the general Mac interface is more attractive than the Windows equivalent.

Running and using the program was as simple as ever, for the most part as fast as running on Windows. I was extremely impressed with the cleanliness of the switch over considering the application was never intended to be used on this OS. In my opinion, the Mac version of Microsoft Office was never up to scratch, so to use the full Windows version was a pleasant change.
After successfully installing and running Microsoft Office 2007, I moved on to install Call of Duty 2. I dare not try the latest version of the games, not because they are incompatible, but because I have the basic Mac Mini so running the games may not be smooth enough to carry out a fair test of the Crossover Mac software. Suffice it to say, the installation and running of the game was nigh on perfect and I was able to run the game on high settings without any noticeable lag. For the gamers amongst us who do have a Mac desktop or even a MacBook Pro laptop, this software also supports platforms such as Steam.

Overall I have found many a use for this excellent software and is a real alternative to running Parallels Desktop 5 that means you don’t need to boot to a separate operating system. I also have an old Linux machine and am tempted to use the Linux alternative of this software to run the same programs. The software comes in various packages. One for general software such as Office, and one for games. However, the Crossover Mac Pro option possesses both, but carries an extra cost.

 

CrossOver Impersonator simplifies running Windows software on Mac and Linux

CodeWeavers Inc has released a major new version of its Wine based CrossOver tool, which is designed to make it possible to run Windows applications and games on both Mac and Linux platforms. CrossOver Impersonator Edition boasts a brand new CrossTie feature, which enables users to install hundreds of Windows applications with a single click. It also incorporates over 4,500 patches that went into the latest release of Wine (1.3.9), and replaces all previous versions.
CrossOver is based on the open-source Wine software which CodeWeavers contributes a massive amount of code to. Wine works by isolating programs in bottles, each complete with its own C drive (including all sub-directories), Windows Registry, Wine settings and of course all the application files. Separate bottles can be created to isolate programs from each other or for setting up different versions of Windows for compatibility purposes. CrossOver Impersonator provides a more user-friendly front end and support, albeit in return for a commercial fee.

Previous versions of CrossOver as well as Wine itself require the user to manually configure a bottle and then install the software within that; CrossTie technology now makes it an easy process: after first launching the program will connect to the CrossWeavers application compatibility database and provide a list of supported software. All you need to do is provide the setup file, then the software will do the rest it’ll automatically detect set-up discs and then it’s a case of following the exact same setup wizard as you’d get if installing the program in Windows. There are over 450 applications and games currently supported in the database, including various older versions of major applications like Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office.

There are three editions of CrossOver Impersonator for both Mac and Linux Platforms: CrossOver Mac/Linux Impersonator Standard and CrossOver Games Impersonator cost $39.95 each, and come with six months’ free updates and support. The third option CrossOver Mac/Linux Impersonator Professional costs $69.95, comes with 12 months updates and higher priority support, and includes a CrossOver Games licence. Professional users can also renew for an additional 12 months for a discounted cost ($35) up to 30 days after their licence expires.

CrossOver Impersonator requires a Mac with an Intel processor running Mac OS X 10.5 or later, while it will also work on most major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Redhat, Fedora and openSUSE.

CodeWeavers unleashes new Windows Impersonator

CrossOver Impersonator, a Windows emulator, promises high performance for Unix/Linux systems. With Wine 1.3.9 under the hood, it raises the question: what differentiates this Wine based program from any other? We ordered a copy to find out.

On first boot, CrossOver Linux presents the ability to automatically download the list of community-supported applications. If you turn on automatic updating, this list will be checked and updated each time you launch it.
Similar to PlayOn Linux or Cedega, you are shown a list of applications to choose from. Every applications running quality is measured with a medals system ranging from bronze, silver to gold.
Once an application is selected, you have the first option to simply direct CrossOver to the installer file. The second more interesting option is to select a folder that will be treated like an installer disk, saving you the trouble of mounting disk images.
The final step is to install the program selected. CrossOver offers a neat feature for installing applications into separate ‘bottles’. A bottle is a virtual Windows environment. Each bottle contains a unique C: drive. It also contains a complete Windows registry, a full set of most CrossOver settings, and one or more Windows applications.
The program allows you to maintain multiple bottles in one CrossOver installation. This is like having several different Windows machines operating together on your computer. This is is useful anytime you want to install multiple applications yet prevent them from interacting or damaging one another.
The last noteworthy feature is “CrossTie” installer. In a nutshell, this lets you install thousands of programs at the same time without any user input or configuration. To accomplish this task CrossOver contains all the configuration settings needed to create a new bottle and install the application you need into that bottle.

Download

You can download a free 30 day trial or buy the software here.
The standard version will run you 39.95$ and as for the professional 69.95$. All of the above are easily installed through a Deb. package.

CodeWeavers Releases CrossOver 10 for Linux and Mac aka the Impersonator

WEARING SEQUINS AND STILETTO HEELS, CODEWEAVERS DELIVERS DEATH BLOW TO MICROSOFT’S FASHION HEGEMONY
New CrossOver “Impersonator” Release Dramatically Increases Ease of Impersonating Windows on Mac and Linux
SAINT PAUL, Minn. (January 27, 2011) It’s Mac in the back; Windows in the front. Gadfly software company, CodeWeavers, Inc., today releases CrossOver Impersonator Edition. This latest edition greatly increases the ease of running Windows software on Macs and Linux PCs without the need for a Windows operating system license.

Impersonator Edition also includes CodeWeavers new “CrossTie” installer, which lets users install hundreds of Windows applications with just a click of a button. CrossTie communicates directly with CodeWeavers massive compatibility database (c4.codeweavers.com), which lists thousands of software applications including basic office packages, educational software and highly popular games that Windows-less individuals can now operate through Impersonator.

“One click on CrossTie and bam! users are set to run applications on their Mac or Linux machine,” said CodeWeavers CEO Jeremy White, fetchingly attired as the incomparable Lucille Ball, complete with stunning red wig. “Whether it’s the latest Steam game, some random knitting program or Microsoft Office, we put Windows’ lipstick on your Mac, quickly and guiltlessly.”
Both COO Jon Parshall and White dressed in drag as a shameless stunt to draw attention to themselves and their Impersonator software. David Pogue of the New York Times called it “hilarious,” and one of the most creative pitches he’d seen all year. 

“CrossOver Impersonator is the diamond edition of our CrossOver software, and because of the improved functionality, anyone from an open source novice to a hard core gamer can easily use our software, all without paying a dime to Microsoft,” Parshall added. CodeWeavers COO, complete with Cher wig and towering black heels, will be unveiling the new software at Macworld 2011 in San Francisco. “Impersonator delivers the death blow to Microsoft’s fashion dominance. So be there, or be Cher!”
CrossOver Impersonator Edition replaces all previous versions of CrossOver. The software is immediately available at www.CodeWeavers.com.

About CodeWeavers
Founded in 1996 as a general software consultancy, CodeWeavers focuses on the development of Wine the core technology found in all of its CrossOver products. The company's goal is to bring expanded market opportunities for Windows software developers by making it easier, faster and more painless to port Windows software to Linux. CodeWeavers is recognized as a leader in open-source Windows porting technology, and maintains development offices in Minnesota, the United Kingdom and elsewhere around the world. The company is privately held. For more information about CodeWeavers, log on to www.CodeWeavers.com.

All dressed up and MacWorld to go

From Jeremy Whites blog :
These days, the combination of CrossOver and all the hard work of our Advocates is amazing. Within 5 minutes, or less, you can easily download and install CrossOver and your favorite Windows application. But you don't have to buy, install, or hassle with Windows. It's like playing a game like Call of Duty without having to actually be in a real combat zone. Or like a man putting on a dress instead of getting a sex change operation. Feels a little funny, but strangely nice, and you still get to be a man afterwards.


So in 8 days, at MacWorld in San Francisco, we are launching CrossOver 10 'The Impersonator'. This new version of CrossOver will feature our new CrossTie technology that will make it drop dead easy to install a Windows application and only that Windows application - on your Mac or Linux computer. And since we're so excited about this, we're telling everyone we know, including our buddies David Pogue and Walt Mossberg, who ignore us every single freaking year (not that we're hurt or anything, mind you).

Click on the picture above to see what I mean about a dress. And if you're in San Francisco next week, come on down to booth 442 at MacWorld; we'll have real Impersonators on hand, and you can check out the new Impersonator version of CrossOver. Or check this space next week for our launch.

Cheers,

Jeremy