Virtual PC 3.0 for Power Mac (upgrade to Windows 98)

by Connectix

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00002S6WU
• Item model number: PO10485
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 10, 2002
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,142 in Software (See Top 100 in Software)
  • #21 in Software > Utilities > Cross Platform
  • #72 in Software > Operating Systems > Macintosh
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

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If you absolutely, positively have to use a Windows machine, why not use it on your Mac? That's the question Connectix Virtual PC 3.0 poses, and if you have a G3-based machine, the latest version of this PC Windows 98 emulator may very well provide your answer. Virtual PC introduces a grocery list of new features, including USB support, shared IP networking, faster network speed, improved sound support, faster disc performance, and AppleScript support.

The USB compatibility alone may be worth the upgrade price, as it adds a tremendous amount of device support previously unavailable. Virtual PC has traditionally lacked support for external SCSI devices. You simply couldn't access an external CD-R through Windows. With USB support, however, you can use scanners, printers, and other removable media as easily as if you had a genuine PC, though you must first install Windows 98 drivers.

Connectix has a skimpy list of tested USB products, so we tested some additional devices, which were cross platform and either came with the Windows drivers on CD or were readily downloadable. All but one ran perfectly in Virtual PC. An AGFA digital camera didn't work; according to some Usenet reports, it has trouble with PC USB connectivity as well.

Connectix brings you IP Sharing, a much better way to deliver Net connectivity to Windows. While earlier versions of Virtual PC allowed you to access a network from within Windows, you usually needed a system administrator and a unique IP address if you were on a LAN. If you used a modem, you had to go through the very tedious process of setting it up through Windows.

With IP Sharing, once your Mac establishes an IP connection through network log-in or modem connection, Virtual PC recognizes and shares the IP address with the Windows program it's running - whether you choose 95, 98, or NT. The control for IP Sharing is in the Networking panel of Virtual PC's preferences, so you never have to tinker in Windows to establish a connection.

The advantages of IP Sharing are pretty strong. On a cable modem or DSL, you don't need to pay for a second IP address. On a LAN assigning dynamic IPs, Virtual PC recognizes the IP for your Mac. If you prefer, you can access previous versions of Virtual PC's networking features from the preferences.

While Virtual PC offers little in the way of Windows-specific speed boosts, the program has improved networking and drive speeds. Network copying through Virtual PC was on average 10 to 30 percent faster than in version 2.5. The same files copied using an assigned IP were about 3 to 5 percent faster than via a shared IP. Virtual PC also improves drive access speeds, making Windows boot times and file opening faster, but speeds are still not nearly as fast as on a real PC or on your Mac.

Windows-emulating programs have al-ways had serious speed limitations, as they create a virtual PC disc on your hard drive where they store the Windows OS and all Windows apps. Virtual PC is no exception - the disc emulation process can make performance dog slow, even on a fast drive.

Virtual PC adds a pretty good list of features to an already robust program. USB support and IP sharing would have made a compelling upgrade on their own. The other new features and speed improvements are icing on the cake. Virtual PC makes running Windows easier on your Mac than on a PC and earns every bit of a Freakin' Awesome. -- Rick Sanchez

Good News: USB support. IP Sharing. AppleScript support. Improved network speed.

Bad News: Still no SCSI support. Drive speed is improved, but still slow.

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