WinTel 2.01 ships

OpenOSX today began shipping a native Intel version of its "WinTel 2.0.1" emulation product. WinTel is an easy-to-use stand-alone application for configuring and utilizing the included open-source “Bochs” software, that allows use of x86/Pentium-based operating systems under Mac OS X. Version 2.01 features Bochs binaries that have been accelerated for the Intel-based Macs, bringing a 200-400 percent increased performance over the v2.0.0 release. The Cocoa WinTel front-end GUI is now also a Universal Binary for beter performance. The minor update also eliminates several potential bugs, along with adding a preference for using optimized or non-optimized binaries for increased compatibility. OpenOSX WinTel starts at $25 for electronic delivery. Upgrades from v2.x are free, while upgrades from 1.x are start at $15 (electronic).

With the availability of the new Intel-based Macs, x86 instructions no longer have to be emulated with Bochs, drastically enhancing performance, according to the company. OpenOSX claims that WinTel 2.0.1 on the Intel is "the fastest version ever, which can boot Windows 98 in as little as 15 seconds on the Intel 2GHz Duo iMac with the stock 512MB of RAM installed." WinTel contains three sets of binaries optimized for G4, G5 and Intel processors. The 2.0.0 version eliminates a potential issue when using network support, resolves a startup issue on some G4s, and fixes sometimes failing to properly detect an Intel machine (some Intel Macintoshes may report that they are "i386" while others might report "pentium4").

OpenOSX WinTel includes 10 ready-to-use disk images of open source x86-based operating systems including: FreeBSD, Red Hat Linux, FreeDOS and more. The product also features a stand-alone application featuring a drag-install backed with limited installation support. WinTel 2.0.1 has been successfully tested running Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2K, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows XP Professional.

by MacNN Staff