Microsoft Delays Virtual PC 7 for Mac

Microsoft has decided to amend Virtual PC 7's beta test period. Citing a more rigorous testing schedule and delays in Windows XP Service Pack 2, Microsoft will now ship Virtual PC 7 in the second half of 2004. As a result, the release date of one edition of Office 2004 for Mac will also slip into the future.

The development cycle of VPC7 was initially rooted in the Office timeline; however the demands of quality assurance and the product team's desire to bundle the most current version of Windows with VCP led Microsoft toward a more realistic appraisal.

Office 2004 for Mac OS X will make its way onto shelves toward the end of this month.

Commenting on the delay, Jessica Sommer, Product Manager for the Macintosh Business Unit said, "All versions of VPC for Mac Version 7 will be available in the second half of 2004. The first versions to ship will be VPC with Win XP Pro and Home. Office Pro will also include VPC with Win XP Pro when it ships. Virtual PC 7 with Win 2000 and as a Standalone and Upgrade will be available a few months after this debut."

Virtual PC 7 brings Mac users long-awaited support for the Power Mac G5 processor.  The G5 shipped in April 2003.