14 DAY TRIAL // Recently, macosXrunors.com reported a rumor that the next version of OS X, 10.5, also known al Leopard, would feature built in virtualization. While not being the source of rumor that turned into fact, several other developments seem to support the report.
According to macosXrunors.com, the technology would allow users to create and run virtual machines with OS X, Linux or Microsoft Windows, on any Intel-based Mac. This software solution is said to be codenamed "Chameleon" and to be available in both 'client' and 'server' versions. The client version would be found in the regular OS X, while the server one would be embedded in the OS X Server sedition. According to macosXrunors.com sources, this solution is being developed hand-in-hand with partners such as Intel and Microsoft. So far it is unclear if this virtualization software will take advantage of Intel's virtualization technology, but that would be a very logical move.
More recently, BAPCo, the industry-standard Windows benchmarking consortium, has announced that Apple Computer has become a member. As BAPCo is responsible for the SYSmark 2004SE, MobileMark and WEBmark benchmark suites that are used for testing and comparing PCs, it would seem that Apple want to be able to have their products participate in these benchmarks so that clear comparisons can be made.
However, the most important factor is that benchmarks such as SYSmark and MobileMark do not work well in a virtual environment as they make use of utilities that call low level processes. Since virtualization is out of the question for obtaining relevant results, it looks like Apple might start developing Windows drivers for the new Mac machines, which would be used when running Windows. This of course would mean that Apple would not be actually using virtual machines but multiple, native operating system, probably making use of Intel's technology to allow easy switching between them.