Connectix Announces Virtual PC 4.0
Run Windows applications up to twice as fast as previous version
SAN MATEO, Calif.- December 5, 2000 – Connectix Corporation today
announced the Virtual PC 4.0, the newest version of its best-selling and
award-winning PC emulation product for the MacintoshTM. This new version
adds significantly improved performance, expandable disk images, an
enhanced user interface and the ability to run multiple operating systems
to Virtual PC’s already impressive list of features.
Virtual PC will appeal to a whole new and larger segment of Mac users due
to its increased performance and new features, said Mitchell Cipriano,
Connectix vice president of marketing, Current users will also benefit by
being able to run more demanding Windows applications while working more
efficiently.
Virtual PC Product Line
The Connectix Virtual PC product line bridges the compatibility gap between
Mac and PC environments by allowing Mac users to run PC applications,
access Windows networks, and share files with Windows users. With Virtual
PC organizations have the flexibility to provide users with the computer
they are most productive using, while still maintaining compatibility with
the corporate infrastructure — all with only one machine on the user’s
desk.
New Features and Enhancements
* Improved performance – Up to twice as fast as previous versions. Enhanced
support for Velocity Engine provides even better performance on G4s.
* Improved memory allocation – Allows the allocation of additional memory
(up to 512MB of RAM) to the operating system inside Virtual PC without
quitting the application.
* Larger and expandable disk images – The Windows disk image – a virtual
hard disk on the Mac hard drive — expands as needed and uses only the
space it actually requires, rather than a pre-set amount.
* Easier to use – Improved user interface, with scrollable windows and
support for three-button mice and scroll mice. Improved Help, including
integrated Virtual Disk Assistant, Setup Assistant, and a built-in help
system.
* Runs multiple PC operating systems simultaneously – Virtual PC now runs
multiple PC operating systems concurrently – for example, Windows 98 and
Windows 2000, or even two copies of Windows 98 – on the Mac at the same
time. The guest operating system desktops can be viewed as dynamic
thumbnail images on the Mac desktop.
* Support for Connectix OS PacksTM – With Virtual PC OS Packs adding a new
operating system is as easy as copying a file to the Mac hard disk. The new
operating system comes pre-installed and pre-configured.
System Requirements
Macintosh PowerPC G3 or G4
Mac OS 8.5 or later
50MB of RAM required, 64 MB RAM recommended, available to Virtual PC
CD-ROM Drive
Price and Availability
Virtual PC 4.0 is currently available in two versions: an upgrade version
and with Windows 98 pre-installed. Two new versions, with PC DOS and with
Windows Me pre-installed, will begin shipping in December and January
respectively. OS Packs will be available supporting other popular operating
systems including Windows 95, Windows 2000 and Linux.
Virtual PC with Windows 98 and Virtual PC Upgrade have estimated street
prices of $199 and $79 respectively. Both products are available from the
Connectix online store (www.connectix.com) and will be widely available at
retail stores, mail order catalogs, and online stores where Macintosh
products are sold.
Users purchasing Virtual PC 3.0 after November 1, 2000 will be eligible for
a free upgrade to Virtual PC 4.0.
Connectix Corporation
Founded in 1988 and based in San Mateo, California, Connectix is a leader
in high-performance compatibility software, originally entering the market
with Virtual, a groundbreaking Macintosh-based product that provided
virtual memory. The ever-popular RAM Doubler and Speed Doubler products
were then launched in 1994 and 1995, respectively. The company develops
innovative, award-winning products that allow computer users to use popular
software and hardware products from a variety of different platforms. In
1999, Connectix again broke the platform barrier by launching Connectix
Virtual Game Station which allows consumers to run many popular Sony
PlayStation games on their personal computers.
Connectix remains focused on new technologies and products that meet the
demands of an emerging multi-platform, internet-driven business
environment. For more information on Virtual PC and other Connectix
products, please visit their web site at (http://www.connectix.com/).