Virtual PC for Mac v6.0 with Windows 2000

Virtual PC for Mac v6.0
with Windows 2000

For Macintosh offices that need access to must-have PC-only programs, Connectix Corp.’s Virtual PC for Mac has historically provided rock-solid, albeit slow, emulation of the Pentium chip instruction set.

Newly released Version 6.0 continues this excellent legacy, and adds extensive integration with Mac OS X, and a streamlined installation and set up process. These new features alone make Version 6.0 a worthwhile upgrade, but there is a bonus — it’s up to 25 percent faster than previous versions.

Virtual PC 6.0 arrived on two CD-ROMs containing the application, Windows 2000 Professional and an Extras disc. In addition to Windows 2000, Connectix provides versions for XP Home and Pro, Windows 95 and 98. Because the program will run multiple operating systems concurrently, Connectix sells preconfigured “OS Packs” for various Windows operating systems. Elect which operating system you wish to run, and launch it from Virtual PC 6.0’s settings panel.

A 30-page “Getting Started” manual is included. Installation consists of copying the Virtual PC 6.0 icon to your “Applications” folder, and double-clicking the icon to install the full program and associated Windows files. A 1.19GB virtual PC hard drive was created and identified as “Windows 2000 Professional.” If you have a legacy PC drive container from an early version of Virtual PC, you can manually import the drive image in Version 6.0.

Virtual PC operates in its own window on your Mac, just like any other application. Integration between Mac OS X and the Windows desktop has greatly improved and is virtually seamless. Files can be moved between Mac and PC simply by dragging them from one respective desktop to the other. You also can copy and paste from one operating system to the other. Most settings between Macs and PCs are automatically configured. For example, my broadband Internet connection was recognized, and Virtual PC 6.0 saw my Epson Photo printer and other universal serial bus devices immediately. Network services also are configured automatically.

The application’s single settings panel provides extensive control over how your virtual PC will operate. Up to 512MB RAM can be allocated to run the application and control video performance. Another application setting places the Windows “Start Menu” in Mac OS X’s Dock where it displays which Windows applications are running. Any one of 16 parameters can be adjusted using the settings panel.

Other key improvements in Version 6.0 for Mac OS X include a password security preference, support for long file names, folder sharing, improved compatibility with 32-bit large Apple monitors, and the ability to mount a PC drive image on your Mac to access data files you have created on the PC. USB printing services also have been improved.

Apart from streamlining the install and configuration process, Connectix has integrated Virtual PC 6.0 extensively with Mac OS X. As mentioned previously, Virtual PC 6.0 adds a Windows “Start Menu” to the Dock. This enables you to access your Windows “Start Menu” applications, control panels and documents without explicitly launching Virtual PC.
However, the feature worked in a slightly counterintuitive way. To access the “Start Menu” options, click on the “Start Menu” icon on the Dock rather than clicking and holding your mouse button on the icon as with other Dock applications. Once I got the hang of it, I could quickly access a file, application or control panel in Windows without actually manually launching Virtual PC 6.0 and then Windows.

I tested Virtual PC 6.0 with a variety of standard Windows law office applications and it ran these programs just as a PC would, albeit a little slower. Although I didn’t run any benchmarks for speed, Version 6.0 seemed snappier than previous versions for Mac OS X.

On a DP 1GHz G4 with 512MB RAM allocated, the program launched in about 45 seconds and shut down in about half that time. The “Start Menu” launched programs noticeably faster than previous versions, but don’t expect any miracles. Video performance is marginal but acceptable. Performance should improve as Apple moves to the next generation PowerPC 970 chip, which is expected by the time this review is published.

Connectix Corp.
(650) 571-5100

www.connectix.com

Price: $249

Reviewed by David A. Saraceno, a practicing attorney and owner of Pixelcraft Studios, a presentation graphics consulting firm in Spokane, Wash.

Aug/Sep '03 Issue

PROS
Solid emulation and easy to set up and configure. Excellent integration with Mac OS X. Improved performance.

CONS
Emulation is slow.

VERDICT
The new integration with OS X, easy-to-use features and performance bump make this a worthwhile upgrade