Mac OS: Virtual PC 7 for Mac

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Important note: Microsoft's Virtual PC 7.0.x currently does not function on Intel-based Macs, such as the Intel iMac and the MacBook Pro. An update that functions with Intel-based Macs will probably not be available in the near future. A University-centric list showing which programs do and do not function on the Intel based Macs is located here.

Intel Macs can however use Boot Camp (beta software) which allows them to dual boot with OS X and Windows XP (SP2). You can also use Parallels which allows you to run Windows XP (and other flavors of Windows and Linux) simultaneously with OS X.

Virtual PC 7.0.x for Mac (indeed, any version of Virtual PC for Mac) is suggested for relatively light use - if users find that they are using Virtual PC more than 20% of the time they should probably do this work on a 'real' PC from Dell or Lenovo.


General hints and tips for Virtual PC 7.0.x

Configuration

  • Get as much memory (RAM) as is reasonable - Virtual PC 7.0.x can happily use 1.0 GB or more of 'real' memory.
  • Make sure your version of Virtual PC is up to date - each update to Virtual PC 7.0.x has brought significant and useful improvements.
  • If performance is acceptable, run Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 - it is the newest and best version of Windows. If there is a need for absolute best performance, Windows 2000 Professional Service Pack 4 is probably the best, but keep in mind that Windows 2000 is an aging operating system with little support available from Microsoft.


Maintenance

  • Remember that using Microsoft Windows with Virtual PC's emulation means you are vulnerable to Windows viruses and worms just like 'real' Dell or Lenovo hardware.
  • It's a good idea to back up your Virtual PC drive images regularly once they are optimized so that they don't have to be rebuilt from scratch in the event of a problem.
Retrieved from "http://prowiki.isc.upenn.edu/wiki/Mac_OS:_Virtual_PC_7_for_Mac"
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