Mac users can get closer to the PC world thanks to Microsoft Virtual PC 7, a complete emulation of standard PC hardware, and is capable of running any application compatible with the Pentium processor, allowing users to run a full version of Windows and Windows applications in a virtual machine on their Macs.
This new version is compatible with G5-based Macs, and has had speed problems found in previous versions corrected. It also offers easier installation, automatic printing to the Mac's printer, and increased graphics speed. It is available both as a stand-alone product with a client license for Windows XP Professional for $249, and as a bundle with Office 2004 for Mac for $499. So far, there is no "without-any-OS" version, making it impossible as yet for Mac users to use it to run Linux. But an OS free version is planned for the next few months, with pricing as yet undecided.