Citrix's DesktopPlayer for Mac is a client virtualization solution that extends the benefits of the market-leading Citrix XenDesktop solution to mobile MacBook users.

It gives users the ability to work on their Windows virtual desktops in any network scenario — including over low-quality connections, congested Wi-Fi hotspots, and even when no connection is available. Using DesktopPlayer with XenDesktop enables users to switch between local and hosted virtual desktops with ongoing synchronization of personal profiles and data.

This allows users to work on their MacBook laptop, then switch to any other device to access their cloud-hosted virtual desktop. End users gain freedom to work anywhere, independent of network conditions, and IT gains control with the ability to centrally-manage Windows virtual desktops delivered to either corporate or personally-owned "bring your own" (BYO) MacBooks.

The mobile worker population is expected to continue to grow as more companies enable mobile workstyles for their employees. With this growth, the presence of BYO devices is also expected to rise. According to Forrester Research, the growth of BYO is expected across many personal devices including tablets and laptops.

Forrester expects sales of new laptops used for BYO will grow from over 5 million in 2014 to over 7 million by 2016, significantly expanding the number of BYO laptops already in use within enterprises. By 2016, Forrester expects the number of employees using their own laptop or tablet to double1, significantly expanding the number of BYO laptops already in use within enterprises.

In addition, a recent Citrix survey found that enterprises expect the presence of BYO MacBooks will grow from 5% of their employee base today to 16% by 2016. Given these trends, it's necessary to provide customers with the ability to extend the delivery of virtual desktops to this fast-growing segment.

DesktopPlayer is the only virtual desktop solution for MacBooks that provides local and offline capabilities, full centralized management and control for IT, and data security. Used with XenDesktop, it provides a combination of the ability to work in a local, offline environment optimized for laptop users, while preserving the ability to access their cloud-hosted virtual desktop from anywhere on any device – whether from a home PC, thin client or public computer.

DesktopPlayer is available now as a XenDesktop FlexCast add-on at a cost or US$75 per user/per device. You own download a 90-day free demo at http://tinyurl.com/qxgy6el and use it with Citrix's Synchronizer to manage up to ten MacBook Pro or MacBook Air laptops.