Best Virtual PC Software?

[foodfightr]

Hello, I'm interested in running a Virtual PC. For now I'd only be using it for Windows XP, but may expand to Linux in the near future. Should I stay "in house" with Microsoft Virtual PC 2004 or try a different program?

Thanks!

 

[Seeruk]

MS's virtual PC doesnt support Linux

VMware is far superior and I have installed a ton of linux flavours on it, plus solaris, vista, and all the MS OS's at some point

 

[spherrod]

I would also recommend VMware

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Seeruk
MS's virtual PC doesnt support Linux

Really? http://vpc.visualwin.com/

:sun:

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: spherrod
I would also recommend VMware

 

[gdsqx9]

It depends on how you want to use the virtual software. We are using VMWARE ESX server. ESXServer does not need an operating system, as it has its own along with a small Linux kernal. Server consolidation is a good application for ESX Server. It also doesn't have the overhead of a base operating system.

There is also a server version that runs on Linux or Windows. I think it is called GSX. GSX can be compared to Virtual PC from MS.

VMWware has a workstation piece that comes in 2 flavors. Base operating systems are Linux and Windows.

 

[InlineFive]

VirtualPC can be less flexible for non-MS operating systems. I have Fedora Core 3 running on it although with a special kernel.

 

[spyordie007]

MS's virtual PC doesnt support Linux

It will run pretty much any software that'll run on x86, Microsoft just wont help you if you have Linux related VPC issues.

I'm assuming you're just looking at desktop virtualization (as opposed to servers), in that case either Microsoft's VPC as well as VMWare are great applications. You cant go wrong with either of them. VPC tends to be a bit less expensive, however as was mentioned if you want "official" Linux support you might want to go with VMWare.

My only real suggestion for you would be to get plenty of RAM, you'll eat it up quickly if you want to run multiple virtual machines.

 

[mattsaccount]

VMWare is definitely more flexible/powerful/better than VirtualPC but as others have said you pay for it.

 

[2Xtreme21]

... VNC?

 

[KeyserSoze]

Originally posted by: 2Xtreme21
... VNC?

That's for remotely controlling another system. The OP is trying to run another OS in a 'virtual' environment on their machine, along with their primary OS.



KS

 

[DarkTXKnight]

keep in mind too that if you already have an MSDN subscription then youve already paid for VPC 2004 and can simply download it. really both programs will work great but it depends on what you want to do. I have found VPC easier to get a grip on and optimise than VMware and of course it's cheaper. will this be a production or development project??

 

[groovin]

vmware... just make sure u gets lots of RAM.

 

[Seeruk]

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: Seeruk
MS's virtual PC doesnt support Linux

Really? http://vpc.visualwin.com/

:sun:

My Bad! I'll correct it to MS Virtual PC Barely Supports a Couple of Linux Distro's

 

[JackMDS]

Originally posted by: Seeruk

Originally posted by: JackMDS

Originally posted by: Seeruk
MS's virtual PC doesnt support Linux

Really? http://vpc.visualwin.com/

:sun:

My Bad! I'll correct it to MS Virtual PC Barely Supports a Couple of Linux Distro's

More like My Bad! I'll correct it to MS Virtual PC Barely Supports a Couple Hundreds of Linux Distro's.

However, this is Not the issue.

It is bothersome that the usefulness of Computer forums erodes greatly because of the very High percentage of Gross Generality statements that might reflect the Mental Status of the poster rather than technological help.

I use both and it is quite clear thta there is No Best there are specific situations that it might be better to use Microsoft VPC, and others that the use of VMware would yield better results.

:sun:

 

[Seeruk]

I'm speaking from experience!

It certainly doesnt support Solaris, I was unable to compile and install Gentoo, I also had a myriad of issues will memory allocations in various distros (I think SUSE 9.1, Slackware and Damn Small Linux off the top of my head).

Admittedly its at least 6-9months since I last tried VPC, but that is because everything has been so hassle-free with VMWare no matter what I am installing.

So maybe I am wrong and if so then great... but there are still a lot of extra features such as teaming and snapshot cloning that I couldnt now be without in VMWare that (as far as I am aware) are not possible in VPC.