iEmulator 1.7.7 released, Virtual PC Alternative

[Heb1228]

I just upgraded to iEmulator 1.7.7 and wanted to let you guys know how it has been. For those of you that don't know, iEmulator is a PC emulator that runs on OS X. It does basically the same thing Virtual PC does, with some limitations. However, at around $24, I think its a great alternative to the higher priced M$ app.

The release notes say that 1.7.7 adds a 6-11% performance increase (according to benchmarks). Upon loading it, I would have to say the increase is very noticeable, and seems more like a 15-18% boost, but that's just my perception. I don't know how it compares to the performance of Virtual PC. It seems to run about the speed a 1GHz Pentium PC would run. And thats on my 1.33 GHz G4.

The other nice feature in the upgrade is that it allows the emulator to read the hardware CD/DVD drive, whereas before you had to make a Disk Image, which was pretty annoying. So that was a pretty big limitation taken care of with this update.

I think the biggest improvement needs to be in sharing files between the two environments. This is where Virtual PC is probably more advanced, I've heard you can drag and drop from one environment to the other. Its possible to share files between the two environments with iEmulator, there is just a complicated setup process where you basically share your HD on your Mac over a network and the emulated PC reads the network volume.

So just wanted to let you guys know. I use it mainly to look at the websites I design to make sure they are compatible with IE for Windows. It also helps me out to be able to load Windows when I'm trying to tell my mom or grandma how to do something on their PCs.

 

[mduser63]

Thanks for the info. I have Virtual PC with Windows 2000, and I'm actually quite happy with it, but it's always nice to know about cheaper alternatives. What OS are you running in iEmulator?

On another note, has anyone around here used Guest PC? How well does it work?

 

[Heb1228]

I'm running it on 10.4.2. I realize that many people use Virtual PC and are happy with it. I wanted to post more for people like me that wouldn't/couldn't spend that kind of $$$ just to run windows once in a great while. But for $24 I could swing it. I'm sure if you use it often, Virtual PC is worth the extra money.

 

[Eluon]

Heb:

Are you using XP? Windows 2000? what?

 

[Heb1228]

Heb:

Are you using XP? Windows 2000? what?

Ah! Great question!

I'm actually running Windows ME ::ducks from flying objects::

Seriously, its the only version of Windows I have a copy of and like I said, I hardly use it for anything other than to check some web pages and occasional troubleshooting, its fine. I've heard that WinXP suffers a performance hit with the emulator, so they recommend Windows 2000. I Imagine Windows 2000 would run at least as fast as what I am running, probably faster.

 

[MisterMe]

I just upgraded to iEmulator 1.7.7 and wanted to let you guys know how it has been. For those of you that don't know, iEmulator is a PC emulator that runs on OS X. It does basically the same thing Virtual PC does, with some limitations. However, at around $24, I think its a great alternative to the higher priced M$ app.

....

This is misleading. With VPC, you get Windows. With iEmulator, you don't. You have to acquire Windows separately and they don't exactly give it away.

 

[MacsRgr8]

On another note, has anyone around here used Guest PC? How well does it work?

I've given it a try...
It does work, but very it's very slow. VPC is much, much faster, and easier to use.
BTW the VPC 7 version without Windows still is $ 129,-
So iEmulator is very cheap! I wonder how the 3 (VPC, iEmultaor, GuestPC) compare to eachother.

 

[Heb1228]

This is misleading. With VPC, you get Windows. With iEmulator, you don't. You have to acquire Windows separately and they don't exactly give it away.

As the poster above notes, you CAN buy VPC without Windows. Even if you don't have an extra copy of Windows laying around, it still end up being cheaper to go with iEmulator. I imagine most people could find an older version laying around somewhere like I had.

But you are right that some people may not realize from my post that you do have to "Bring Your Own Windows" for the $24 price.

 

[JDar]

1. With VPC you still have to buy a Windows version or use one already licensed--it's not a given with the VPC program. VPC is much easier to setup and use than iEmulator.

2. iEmulator v 1.7.7 is noticeably faster than the prior version but it's similar to comparing which is the faster snail. VPC is more like a fast turtle. (on iMac G5 with 2 GB.)

3. iEmulator, for those who like somewhat of a challenge, is fun to try. With an inexpensive copy of Windows 2000 Professional it's cheap, too. No doubt the iEmulator support is excellent and they will stick with you until the program works as it should.