Developer OpenOSX announced on Tuesday that a new version of WinTel, their graphic user interface for the open source Windows emulator Bochs, is now available. Version 1.2 features increased optimization for Power Mac G4 and G5 computers, enhanced performance, and better stability, in addition to limited support for a virtual Network Interface Card, a Sound Blaster-compatible card, USB, and 32-bit color SVGA video.
The version of Bochs that runs under WinTel 1.2 is one created by OpenOSX with IBM’s XL C++ compiler, which the company says is approximately 30 percent faster than previous versions of WinTel and Bochs. The company notes that they’ve successfully tested the new version with Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0, and Windows XP Professional. In addition, WinTel 1.2 comes with installers for 10 open source x86 operating systems, including RedHat Linux and FreeBSD.
OpenOSX has added other amenities to Bochs, including the ability to copy files between the host operating system and the emulated Windows environment. Disk images created with either Apple’s Disk Copy or Roxio’s Toast can be used as a CD-ROM in the emulator.
WinTel 1.2 is a US$10 downloadable upgrade for owners of the previous version; those who want it on CD-ROM can expect to pay $15. The full version is $25 as a download or $30 delivered on CD. OpenOSX also offers bundles with their other products or with various books from publisher O’Reilly.