Virtual PC 7 Information

[nesbitt_a]

I just found this on the uk microsoft website:
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/mac/virtualpc_v7.mspx

 

[7on]

lol, gotta love the pic uptop.

Looks like good news, if a bit vague.

 

[nesbitt_a]

lol, gotta love the pic uptop.

Looks like good news, if a bit vague.

Yeah, looks like they're waiting* for it to load.


A.

 

[Nermal]

Easy installation – Get started quickly with streamlined installation of Virtual PC, Microsoft® Windows XP and Windows-based programs.

It wouldn't surprise me if VPC7 can install Windows XP for you. What I mean by that is:

1. You install VPC
2. You insert your XP CD
3. VPC copies files from the CD and constructs an initial disk image

That would be a lot faster than waiting for the proper XP installer to run, and would certainly be possible due to VPC's consistent hardware emulation. Most of the time spent in XP setup is detection of hardware etc, with VPC they can skip the detection altogether.

 

[MisterMe]

It wouldn't surprise me if VPC7 can install Windows XP for you. What I mean by that is:

1. You install VPC
2. You insert your XP CD
3. VPC copies files from the CD and constructs an initial disk image

That would be a lot faster than waiting for the proper XP installer to run, and would certainly be possible due to VPC's consistent hardware emulation. Most of the time spent in XP setup is detection of hardware etc, with VPC they can skip the detection altogether.

VPC 6 installed the bundled version of Windows transparently. That is to say it was a one-step process.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

VPC 6 installed the bundled version of Windows transparently. That is to say it was a one-step process.

I believe that what is suspected is that VPC 7 can do this even if the source is a Windows XP installer CD, not just an OS-in-a-zip-file that comes with Virtual PC, like what VPC 6 and earlier use.

 

[grapes911]

I believe that what is suspected is that VPC 7 can do this even if the source is a Windows XP installer CD, not just an OS-in-a-zip-file that comes with Virtual PC, like what VPC 6 and earlier use.

That would make life much easier.

 

[mkrishnan]

That would make life much easier.

Speaking of life easier...isn't it slightly ironic that now you will be able to make your windows session hibernate, but you still can't make the os x session in your iBook or PB that its running on top of hibernate?

I'm still torn on whether I want to get this or not. Just need like one or two software programs that are pricey so I want to find them used, and then I'll be out of the woods for needing VPC....

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Speaking of life easier...isn't it slightly ironic that now you will be able to make your windows session hibernate, but you still can't make the os x session in your iBook or PB that its running on top of hibernate?

I'm still torn on whether I want to get this or not. Just need like one or two software programs that are pricey so I want to find them used, and then I'll be out of the woods for needing VPC....

I hope Apple's listening to you...and will put this feature in an upcoming version of the Mac OS (I'd like to see it too, even if it doesn't appear until MRAM (magnetic memory) debuts in Macs).

 

[Chaszmyr]

It says improved graphics, but to me that implies that while it is better, it doesn't actually include the ability to control the video card natively like is rumored.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

It says improved graphics, but to me that implies that while it is better, it doesn't actually include the ability to control the video card natively like is rumored.

MS might be trying to hide the native video card support (if it does indeed exist) in VPC 7 from people like you and me who visit rumor sites, at least until VPC 7 is officially released.

 

[MisterMe]

I believe that what is suspected is that VPC 7 can do this even if the source is a Windows XP installer CD, not just an OS-in-a-zip-file that comes with Virtual PC, like what VPC 6 and earlier use.

Suspected is an awfully strong word. The full installation of VP7 is supposed to be bundled with the latest release of Win XP. If you want to install your own OS, then it is going to take more than one step to do so.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Suspected is an awfully strong word. The full installation of VP7 is supposed to be bundled with the latest release of Win XP. If you want to install your own OS, then it is going to take more than one step to do so.

I was only guessing as to what previous posters were guessing what features will be in VPC 7...I do not have any insider information on it.

 

[wide]

Would there be a difference in performance between XP PRO, XP HOME, and WIN2K? WIN XP PRO is much, much faster than the latter two on a regular Windows PC.

Also, will there be native graphics card support? Because if there is, I will be able to play CS on my PowerBook G5

 

[Chaszmyr]

MS might be trying to hide the native video card support (if it does indeed exist) in VPC 7 from people like you and me who visit rumor sites, at least until VPC 7 is officially released.

I hope that's not just wishful thinking, but I fear that it is

 

[dopefiend]

MS might be trying to hide the native video card support (if it does indeed exist) in VPC 7 from people like you and me who visit rumor sites, at least until VPC 7 is officially released.

Now why in the world would they do that?

 

[Grimace]

Would there be a difference in performance between XP PRO, XP HOME, and WIN2K? WIN XP PRO is much, much faster than the latter two on a regular Windows PC.

Also, will there be native graphics card support? Because if there is, I will be able to play CS on my PowerBook G5

Right now, XP is a LOT slower than Win2K or Win98. It's a mammoth OS - no surprises here.

 

[titaniumducky]

Speaking of life easier...isn't it slightly ironic that now you will be able to make your windows session hibernate, but you still can't make the os x session in your iBook or PB that its running on top of hibernate?

I'm still torn on whether I want to get this or not. Just need like one or two software programs that are pricey so I want to find them used, and then I'll be out of the woods for needing VPC....

Why can't you just put the PB/iBook to sleep...

Hibernation and sleep are almost identical.

 

[wrldwzrd89]

Why can't you just put the PB/iBook to sleep...

Hibernation and sleep are almost identical.

No they aren't - Sleep is equivalent to Windows 'Standby' option, whereas 'Hibernate' essentially saves the computer's state to the hard disk, then shuts down the computer (a feature Mac OS does not have).

 

[mkrishnan]

Why can't you just put the PB/iBook to sleep...

Hibernation and sleep are almost identical.

There are a couple of small places where I think hibernation is better -- when you're going to leave it overnight without being plugged in (on the road), maybe on airplanes when not in use. Or if you're carrying it somewhere that takes a while to get to, then there's the dilemma of shut-down and restart or let the battery drain below 95% but only to ~85% and waste a charge cycle.

When I'm mostly plugged in at home, yeah, I'd just as soon use sleep.

Anyway, a minor problem at most.