Run Windows programs on Intel Mac using Q

September 16, 2008

Q is a free open source emulator software that will enable you to run Windows programs on your Intel Mac at close to native speed. Have a G4 / G5 mac? Don’t worry! Q Emulator also works on G4 and G5 macs. The only catch here however is that the speed is much slower when compared to that running on Intel Mac. Q can be used to run the Windows operating system or for that matter any other operating system based on the x86 architecture, on your Macintosh. The developers of the Q emulator have recently released a new stable version which I tested and found free of any major bugs.

Though Q emulator is still in beta testing phase, the latest stable version includes exciting and cool new features like the ability to provide fast switching between many Guest PC’s, much more pre installed OS’s, and also the much needed ability to start live CD ROM’s in just 3 clicks of the mouse.

Several more changes involve the interface, most notably a “Mac-like” interface for configuring the software firewall. A fullscreen toolbar has been implemented, as has a new icon set. Q is downloaded as a 9.5MB Universal Binary. Once the beta testing is completed and the next stable version of Q is released, expect many more interesting additions to its functionality. The future of Q Emulator indeed seems very exciting.

Posted in MAC Applications, Windows Applications