Customer Reviews

Microsoft Virtual PC for Mac 6.1 with Window XP Home [Old Version]

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

As a PC-to-Mac OS X switcher, I bought Virtual PC with XP Home so that I could continue to run some of my favorite Windows software: mostly small games and streaming media apps. XP Home under Virtual PC is so slow that it is practically unusuable. XP should not be an OS used under Virtual PC; for some reason, it runs incredibly slowly. I thought that maybe Windows 95 under Virtual PC would give me the speed I'd like. Although Windows 95 is more responsive, it taxes the CPU and running actual applications is quite slow (though better than XP). The best bet is Windows 2000 under Virtual PC, which will give you access to Windows applications, if you need. However, anything with motion like games or video is jerky, even on a G4. Don't count on Virtual PC to provide you with an alternative Windows experience on your Mac, as it is advertised. Buy it only if you must run a specific Windows application on your Mac, and then, use Windows 2000 and not XP.

As an alternative, consider Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac OS X, or just buy a desktop pc.

Strength of Virtual PC

The biggest strength of Virtual PC 6.1 is that it works well. Within minutes of running the installer you can be using Windows XP on your Mac. A setup assistant guides you through adjusting the application's RAM, VRAM, and other basic settings.

Windows XP can run in full screen mode or in a small window mode. Using the Command (Apple) and 'M' keys, toggles you back and forth from full screen mode to small screen mode on your Macintosh.

Virtual PC Toolbar

Virtual PC 6 has a toolbar in the lower left-hand corner. All the Toolbar icons use contextual menus (Control-Click-hold). All the icons let you pop up the Virtual PC 6 Settings window.

Using the hard drive icon, I can launch the Disk Assistant application. The Virtual PC 6 CD icon can unmount or eject a CD. The floppy icon lets you unmount or ejects a floppy. You also can mount a floppy disk image by dragging it to the icon. The Shared Folder icon lets you navigate to a Macintosh folder for sharing on both Mac and Windows platforms.

Working with Virtual PC 6.1

I needed FileMaker Pro program running on my Mac computer. I received additional consulting work from a jewelry company that wanted me to set up a database with graphics of their jewelry products. They had several PCs running Windows XP linked to various servers.

Instead of purchasing a Windows computer, I used Virtual PC to get the job done. I transferred information from and to their Windows XP computers and my Mac G4 by using my Mac's Zip drive.

Next, I made sure that I had PC zip cartridges for backup to get the job done. Virtual PCÊ 6.1 worked well for my evening work setting up and editing the FileMaker Pro database.

Solving Connection Problems

I had trouble connecting to America Online with Virtual PC. The problem was having the right ISP (Internet Service Provider) serial setup number.

The sweetest sound. The answer was using Network Setup Wizard. I had to use my America Online Windows' CD to setup the proper network connection.

In additon, I find that I can connect to the Internet using my Mac AOL OS X and Mac Internet Explorer connection. Now, I use Internet Explorer for Windows to connect to web for special Windows projects.

Pro Reaction

Most of the Window programs Mac users run on their PCs can run on Mac computers using Virtual PC. Virtual PC is an inexpensive way to use Windows programs. You can take over your virtual PC environment. You can even cut and paste between Mac and PC desktops. Virtual PC takes advantage of my dual processor Macs.

I could connect Virtual PC to my printer. I can do this by using my shared USB HP printer which connects well in Virtual PC. My additional external drives, Lacie and Acomdata drives are shared in Virtual PC.

Con Reaction

I had difficulty with my internet account. My computer problem was having the right America Online ISP (Internet Service Provider) serial number.

This should be mentioned in the help menu for America Online users. I found using the Network Setup Wizard connection with AOL CD the answer to the America Online connection problem.

Final Remarks

The major reason that I have to get online is to register my Windows software and receive authorization pass codes to continue to use the software. In addition, I can upload my graphics to my web sites on register.com that normally do not take graphics from a Mac computer.

You can register by telephone by calling Microsoft's toll-free number if you do not have an internet connection. You need to have your Virtual PC registration pass code when calling Microsoft.

The Virtual PC Program is a good Program but not with Windows XP please note that I tried it with Virtual PC 6.0 at the time. I had to order an other verson Virtual PC 6.1 but this time I tried it with windows 2000 works alot better then the Windows Xp did. Runs fine with with MAC OS X .

Ran the Windows XP nicely but was unable to connect to the internet from the Windows environment which was the whole reason that I bought this program.
Tried everything on the support site on the internet.
Spent over 3 hrs on hold and talking to people at Microsoft. As far as I can tell there is no one at Microsoft who provides virtual PC support. Whenever I was told that I was being connected to that "group" I was on hold until a nice person came on to tell me that everyone had gone home.
so for me this was total waste of money.

With MS Virtual PC for Mac you can run your Windows-compatible application using your Mac. Amazing! It does its job.

This is a great program when it works. A friend bought a Dual G5 Tower -- the fastest mac available. -- turns out it Virtual PC does not work with it. Make sure you check out the specs you need.

In case you haven't heard, Connectix, the originator of Virtual PC, sold the entire line of products to Microsoft in Spring of 2003, so Microsoft is now the master of these virtual machines. The Mac version of Virtual PC is much cheaper than the Windows version, because in the price it includes both the emulator and the guest OS. You really need the latest Mac to run this at a respectable speed. Pentium instruction set, PC memory architecture, plug-n-play device management, networking components, all are emulated flawlessly. You can even burn DVDs after installing DVD burner driver! But seriously, for a little bit more money you can actually buy a real PC...

ZERO STARS. MICROSOFT ONCE AGAIN PROVES THEY ARE INEPT AND LAME. After a fair amount of research and thinking finally I wouldn't need to worry about compatibility issues (after all, I was going PC) I open the box (read: restocking fee) and install the software only to get this friendly Bill Gates message "Virtual PC doesn't work with your machine." That's right. It sure doesn't. In System Requirements admittedly it says for any G3 or G4 Mac and I wasn't thinking "Oh that means not a G5" but it should CLEARLY STATE NOT FOR G5. After all it goes into a whole bunch of mumbo jumbo about adaptability with Jaguar OSX. So what does work with the G5? After being guided to Mactopia and after a bit of digging around it says "Virtual PC for Mac G5 --stay tuned we're working on it." Yeah, I keep my eyes glued. Just another reason I'm glad I own a Mac.

Virtual PC in not supported by the G5. If you want to run dual operating systems, do not buy this product or the G5!

I considered buying Virtual PC, but after careful consideration I went for the other option: A real PC, utilizing Windows XP Professional and the Windows Remote Desktop client for Mac (free from the Microsoft website).
While this solution is more definitely more costly, it depends really dependes what your needs are. As I needed the PC to review PC software, I could not risk blaming the software for errors (or lack of performance) that might have been Virtual PCs fault. Yet, with Windows RDC I can copy and paste from and to my Mac, and have the PC handy in a little window at all times. The display does not refresh as quick as when not operated remotely, but on a 100MBit Ethernet-Connection, I can even listen to iTunes for Windows, and at least see movies at a reduced framerate.
And if that is not fast enough, I still have the option of connecting a monitor to the PC, and see it run a full throttle. The Mac client uses very little performance on the Mac, which is nice.
Yet, a word of caution: I found setting up my system painless, but I say the same thing about installing FreeBSD or Linux. You may want to have a PC-savvy person around. The setup also requires Windows XP Professional, Home does not support Remote Desktop clients.