Virtual PC 7 Preview?

MacRumors · May 13, 2004, 06:09 AM

MacBidouille claims to have seen a demo of Virtual PC 7.0 for the Mac.

The software was apparently demoed for French resellers by Apple and Microsoft representatives.

New features include: Better support of Peripherals (especially USB), notably faster than previous version, should support dual processor as well as G5 based systems. The most notable new feature however is native support for graphic cards. This will reportedly allow video operations to be handled natively rather than through emulation.

Rob Nance · May 13, 2004, 06:13 AM

Native video card support sounds potentially awesome. I doubt I'll be able to play Half Life 2 on my dual G5, but I might be able to keep my PC in the closet a little longer as far as some less intensive games.

I'm really looking forward to this release.

aafuss1 · May 13, 2004, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Nance

Native video card support sounds potentially awesome. I doubt I'll be able to play Half Life 2 on my dual G5, but I might be able to keep my PC in the closet a little longer as far as some less intensive games.

I'm really looking forward to this release.

I wonder if the Windows version of VPC would be updated with Native video card support , just like the Mac version will have.

windowsblowsass · May 13, 2004, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aafuss1

I wonder if the Windows version of VPC would be updated with Native video card support , just like the Mac version will have.

umm there is no windows version it wold be pointless to emulate a windows machine on a windows machune

legion · 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windowsblowsass

umm there is no windows version it wold be pointless to emulate a windows machine on a windows machune

Maybe you should double check that...
There is a windows version and the point is for software developers who need to test against multiple systems or who don't want to corrupt their original system. Also, you can install Linux in VPC for windows (multiple distros.)

Time to think bigger..

nsb3000 · May 13, 2004, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windowsblowsass

umm there is no windows version it wold be pointless to emulate a windows machine on a windows machune

Completely incorrect. The windows version is used to create virtual test machines, with different operating systems, different configurations, that you can run all from one machine,.

See this link: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/virtualpc/

denm316 · May 13, 2004, 07:02 AM

This is great news, however I would be much more excited if the earlier rumor did not say that it was delayed till the second half of 2004. Everything relating to my Mac is always delayed.

BornAgainMac · May 13, 2004, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windowsblowsass

umm there is no windows version it wold be pointless to emulate a windows machine on a windows machune

I disagree.

1) There are some programs that will not run on the newer versions of Windows and you have to use something old like Win95. (Think of it as our classic)

2) Some Windows programs don't get along when installed on the same machine

3) Great for testing a program on a fresh copy of Windows and restoring Windows is easy

4) A image of Windows can be copied to another machine running Virtual PC

I think Virtual PC makes Windows better than Windows, it is mainly speed that you lose.

nervouce · May 13, 2004, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BornAgainMac

I think Virtual PC makes Windows better than Windows, it is mainly speed that you lose.

I'd like to install Virtual PC on a copy of Virtual PC, on a copy of Virtual PC on a copy of Virtual PC on... yep, another copy of Virtual PC.... etc... How deep can I go? And how do I explain this to my 60 year-old Dad, who asks questions like "am I on the internet, or an I on e-mail?" ??

n.

Trekkie · May 13, 2004, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windowsblowsass

umm there is no windows version it wold be pointless to emulate a windows machine on a windows machune

the confused icon fits, because that's what you are.

Not pointless at all. Say you have 14 machines in your office doing server tasks, they're all used 5-15% max because on windows most apps don't get along.

You put a virtual software package on a machine (a la VMWare GSX/ESX or the forthcoming MS Virtual Server) and you have one computer running at 80 - 90% instead of 14 running at 5-15.

Great tool. VMWare does it better on Intel right now

stingerman · May 13, 2004, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Nance

Native video card support sounds potentially awesome. I doubt I'll be able to play Half Life 2 on my dual G5, but I might be able to keep my PC in the closet a little longer as far as some less intensive games.

I'm really looking forward to this release.

Not only a native video drive, but native DirectX. It's a three-fold benefit: 1. Less work on the system, systems graphics need not be emulated.
2. Much faster graphics since they will be run through the GPU hardware.
3. Much more processor time to emulate the x86 since graphics are out of the way.

In addition, if it takes advantage of dual GPU's, than it has better threading support, which will mean an even greater boost. Who knows, maybe VPC will be the future core of the new Xbox2, especially if MSFT ports Win32 as well. I imagine it shouldn't be so hard for them to port Win32. Especially with third parties like the Darwin Wine project doing it.

amberashby · May 13, 2004, 08:01 AM

Will Microsoft sell VPC on its own, or must you buy Office Pro or Windows XP bundled with it?

I already have XP professional for my PC. Can I buy VPC all by itself and install my windows versions on it?

Thanks.

michaelrjohnson · May 13, 2004, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amberashby

Will Microsoft sell VPC on its own, or must you buy Office Pro or Windows XP bundled with it?

I already have XP professional for my PC. Can I buy VPC all by itself and install my windows versions on it?

Thanks.

i'm not sure whether if you need to buy an OS pack or not. otherwise, sure, you could install it. it would be illegal...

SilentPanda · May 13, 2004, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelrjohnson

i'm not sure whether if you need to buy an OS pack or not. otherwise, sure, you could install it. it would be illegal...

Why would it be illegal? I have VPC 5 (no sense in upgrading to 6 with version 7 coming out) and it came with Windows 2000 but I could install Windows XP, Windows ME, Windows 98, DOS 6.1, whatever I want. You could buy VPC with or without the OS. Either way you can install whatever versions of Windows you own. But maybe I am misunderstanding you.

CmdrLaForge · May 13, 2004, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amberashby

I already have XP professional for my PC. Can I buy VPC all by itself and install my windows versions on it?

Thanks.

If its the same as today - yes. If they don't sell it alone - you can't

SpaceMagic · 08:05 AM

I personally cannot wait for VPC7... I have a G5 and im dying to try it out.
DirectX on the Card will be fantastic, it'll mean speed

. Im not so sure about the reports use of conditional clauses... 'it should...' 'it will...'

hvfsl · May 13, 2004, 08:13 AM

I am really looking forward to this. I have some PC software that requires a dual monitor setup to work. Hopefully I will be able use my PowerBook G4 instead of a PC laptop for this, in future.

PPC970FX · May 13, 2004, 08:13 AM

HL2 will come in a year or more. Hehe I have a poster "gaming 2003 HL2"

And I will be able to play CS on a mac

But mac have som bad graphic cards. Realy bad graphic cards. The best is 9800Pro, and that cost a lot.

Hm can you start the PC in VPC and go inn the BIOS to overclock the G5??

Veldek · May 13, 2004, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PPC970FX

Hm can you start the PC in VPC and go inn the BIOS to overclock the G5??

You could only change any emulated parts, not the real hardware.

phampton81 · May 13, 2004, 06:14 AM

I know everyone hear scoffs at the idea of playing video games on the mac, especially through VPC, but this may make it possible to play a few not so new games on the mac that aren't ported already, I see this as good news.

Thanatoast · May 13, 2004, 06:24 AM

hallelieuah! i'm not a hardcore gamer, so i don't need huge amounts of power, but a enough to run a few older games would be nice.

hope this pans out!

pgwalsh · May 13, 2004, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phampton81

I know everyone hear scoffs at the idea of playing video games on the mac, especially through VPC, but this may make it possible to play a few not so new games on the mac that aren't ported already, I see this as good news.

Maybe games like Age of Mytholody or something along those lines. Not sure if you'd get perfromance out of any of the the first person shooters.

crap freakboy · May 13, 2004, 06:28 AM

hope this is true, Half-Life on a mac would be the dogs.
unfortunately I'll need something a little faster than this old sawtooth....bolo anyone?

Veldek · May 13, 2004, 06:30 AM

It’s good to see that most of the new games, especially the top ones are ported to the Mac. But there are some older ones which don’t need much horsepower. For them, VPC 7 seems to be ideal. So, I’m looking forward to it!

nsb3000 · 07:02 AM

What I would like to know is whether it will still be a true "virtual PC", or whether we will be limited to running just Windows on it.

Otherwise, it sounds like Microsoft has added some nice features...

EDIT: Compensated for dyslexia

May 13, 2004, 06:09 AM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	Virtual PC 7 Preview? MacBidouille claims to have seen a demo of Virtual PC 7.0 for the Mac. The software was apparently demoed for French resellers by Apple and Microsoft representatives. New features include: Better support of Peripherals (especially USB), notably faster than previous version, should support dual processor as well as G5 based systems. The most notable new feature however is native support for graphic cards. This will reportedly allow video operations to be handled natively rather than through emulation.

May 13, 2004, 07:02 AM	#7
denm316 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Philadelphia	This is great news, however I would be much more excited if the earlier rumor did not say that it was delayed till the second half of 2004. Everything relating to my Mac is always delayed. __________________ -Dennis- MBA, iMac, iPod Touch and a Blackberry Curve...yeah its on Verizon and the 3G works EVERYWHERE "Live to Ride, Ride to Live"

May 13, 2004, 08:01 AM	#16
SpaceMagic macrumors 68000 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Munich, Germany	I personally cannot wait for VPC7... I have a G5 and im dying to try it out. DirectX on the Card will be fantastic, it'll mean speed . Im not so sure about the reports use of conditional clauses... 'it should...' 'it will...' __________________ MacBook 2Ghz Core2Duo, 320GB HD, 3.3GB RAM + 24" LG LCD Last edited by SpaceMagic : May 13, 2004 at 08:05 AM.

May 13, 2004, 08:13 AM	#17
hvfsl macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: London, UK	I am really looking forward to this. I have some PC software that requires a dual monitor setup to work. Hopefully I will be able use my PowerBook G4 instead of a PC laptop for this, in future. __________________ MacBook Pro 2.4Ghz 500GB (uni) OS X/Windows XP/7/Ubuntu Hackintosh Pro - 2.4Ghz Quad core XP/OS X Media Centre - 2Ghz dual core BluRay Windows 7

May 13, 2004, 08:13 AM	#18
PPC970FX macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2004	HL2 HL2 will come in a year or more. Hehe I have a poster "gaming 2003 HL2" And I will be able to play CS on a mac But mac have som bad graphic cards. Realy bad graphic cards. The best is 9800Pro, and that cost a lot. Hm can you start the PC in VPC and go inn the BIOS to overclock the G5?? __________________ I belive in God, and his name is Stev.

May 13, 2004, 06:13 AM	#2
Rob Nance macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2003	Native video card support sounds potentially awesome. I doubt I'll be able to play Half Life 2 on my dual G5, but I might be able to keep my PC in the closet a little longer as far as some less intensive games. I'm really looking forward to this release.

May 13, 2004, 08:01 AM	#12
amberashby macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2003	Will Microsoft sell VPC on its own, or must you buy Office Pro or Windows XP bundled with it? I already have XP professional for my PC. Can I buy VPC all by itself and install my windows versions on it? Thanks.

May 13, 2004, 06:14 AM	#20
phampton81 macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2002	I know everyone hear scoffs at the idea of playing video games on the mac, especially through VPC, but this may make it possible to play a few not so new games on the mac that aren't ported already, I see this as good news.

May 13, 2004, 06:24 AM	#21
Thanatoast macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Denver	hallelieuah! i'm not a hardcore gamer, so i don't need huge amounts of power, but a enough to run a few older games would be nice. hope this pans out!

May 13, 2004, 06:28 AM	#23
crap freakboy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: nar in Gainsborough, me duck	hope this is true, Half-Life on a mac would be the dogs. unfortunately I'll need something a little faster than this old sawtooth....bolo anyone?

May 13, 2004, 06:30 AM	#24
Veldek macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Germany	It’s good to see that most of the new games, especially the top ones are ported to the Mac. But there are some older ones which don’t need much horsepower. For them, VPC 7 seems to be ideal. So, I’m looking forward to it! __________________ Never ask a man what computer he uses. If it's a Mac, he'll tell you. If it's not, why embarrass him? T. Clancy PM G5 2x2.5 / Penryn MBP 2.4 / X.6

May 13, 2004, 06:48 AM	#25
nsb3000 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boston, MA	True Virtual PC? What I would like to know is whether it will still be a true "virtual PC", or whether we will be limited to running just Windows on it. Otherwise, it sounds like Microsoft has added some nice features... EDIT: Compensated for dyslexia Last edited by nsb3000 : May 13, 2004 at 07:02 AM.

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