Pear PC runs Mac on Windows
Though there’s long been a relatively stable application for running Windows-based software on Apple hardware, using Mac-centric programs on Microsoft-minded machines has rarely been possible.
A duo of enthusiasts is attempting to buck that trend by launching an open-source program called PearPC that lets PCs built around chips from Intel and Advanced Micro Devices emulate a machine running the Mac’s PowerPC chip.
According to this News.com story, the software works, just very slowly. They are also working on some Linux, but OS X is the primary focus, and they seem to be the only people who have come close to pulling it off yet. This will be interesting, once PC users can play around with OS X without having to buy a Mac, I bet we start seeing a lot more converts.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joshua Speer said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
If people have KDE running on cygwin then it's about time someone made the effort to get OSX running in windows.
Personally, I've been waiting for Transmeta to release a PPC emulation package for the Cursoe so you can boot your laptop to XP or OSX. Someday...
I don't know about this giving rise to Switchers. Although I'm one, it's tough to give up the ubiquity of windows... Espescially when I've got a Dell at work.
Reply
Windows Geek said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
I would just like to comment on the "Switchers".
I have been running Windows for years and have never played with an Apple system and after trying the PPC out, I have just went out and got myself a new G5 , and I will have to say this is a whole new world of computers , Apple has pulled off a very good integration of hardware and software, on that note I would also like to say that it is nice to use a computer that dose not get in the way of your work , it will just let you work. I thank Apple for that, so if you are not sure about trying an Apple I would say to you , it is time to Think different.
Thank you to the team at PPC for opening a new door for people on the windows side of the world to see what they are missing.
Was Windows Geek
Reply
j f chadwick said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
i was told that actually mac does not actually convert that many windows users. And i think actually a huge piece of this is because of the money. As well, alot of people are realizing you can get a higher-end product with a great warranty for less money if you build your own computer and i do not think you can build your own mac. It is crazy how much more money you spend on oems. and have to spend so much more money on a warranty, as well as the tight regs on oem computers.
Reply
Jimmy Stewart said 4:16PM on 6-16-2005
Interesting theory. I'd imagine being able to run Mac software on a PC would prompt alot of switching... though I'd imagine it will work both ways. I can see quite a few Mac users switching to the PC when they can bring their favourite OS with them.
Reply