Virtual PC 5

Maybe it's a revival, but in the last couple of months about 50 percent of my friends who intended to buy a new computer chose to leave the Windows platform, fascinated by the new machines and OS from Apple.
For some this was a homecoming of sorts, while for others it was a discovery of a pleasant reality that until recently they did not know existed. In effect, the integration between the two most widespread systems resembles wine as it improves with age. Thanks also to the Internet, Apple is living a second youth.
There are, however, still some small glitches, like needing some software packages that are only available for Windows, or opening a classic e-mail message with an .exe attachment that, instead of drawing Santa Claus onto your screen, suddenly erases your HD. A degree of tranquility was devised by Connectix, which some years ago developed a software emulator for any Windows version, running directly onto you new iMac. Now at version 5, Virtual PC runs also under Mac OS X, the new Unix-like OS adopted by Apple.
Upon its release we tested the WinXP version on a spank new 933 MHz G4 machine, and to tell the truth my first impression wasn't favourable. After installing the program scrupulously following the instructions in the user's manual, problems began when I tried to customize the application. Recognition of some USB devices gave me a headache and less-than-encouraging results, with constant system crashes (Kernel Panics). Unthinkable, especially for OS X, which is a crash-proof system.
In regards to performance, it was disappointing, particularly for people accustomed to the previous version under the old operation system. Some advice by Connectix managed to improve the situation somewhat.
After some time and despite some updates that solved a few significant incompatibilities and boosted the speed of Virtual PC, the version of WinXP I had installed still had stability problems; a final update (5.03) did the trick. Finally I could do some serious work.
The new version, apart from its compatibility with Apple's new operation system, includes very few novelties. Support for WinXP and multi-processor machines are just about the most important new features.
It must be remembered that the more RAM memory your computer has, the better it is. Unfortunately once again Virtual PC does not offer support under Windows for Mac graphic cards, which makes screen redraw really unexciting. The wish list still includes support for Combo drives (DVD-R and CD-RW). Overall, with the last update, Virtual PC 5 is a must-have for those of us who use OS X on a new Mac but cannot give up the Windows environment.
Even allowing for OS X being too recent a system, Connectix should have tested its product some more before releasing it to the public. This would have reduced the amount of potential customer headaches. But considering things are the way they are, we need to go back to work and install an up-to-date anti-virus program. After all, we are talking about Windows here, aren't we?



For more info visit www.connectix.com

Publication Date: 2002-09-02
Story Location: http://tandemnews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=1417