AIKOUSHA  First suggestion: Either buy a cheap bare-bones PC (it'll be cheaper and less of a headache) or get one of those Mac dual-cores with the ability to run Windows.

Don't bother with this version (7.x, the Microsoft one).

I've been on an upgrade path with VPC since version 1 or 2 and every upgrade was a step up, However, as soon as Microsoft got it, it got slower, bloated, severely unstable, and installed things that made data safety and security impossible.

The program no longer can be isolated in it's own partition. It MUST install itself on the current boot drive... Do you realize how screwed up and unstable this program gets when you have more than one boot drive? Don't test it, it ain't worth it.

When you go from 6 to 7, not only do you take a speed and efficiency hit, but many things are capped at low settings. VPC7 alters PC disc images so that previous versions of VPC can no longer recognize them. The tools, like drag and dropping between host and VM tend to stop working at random times. Even the saved-state process slowed down.

Then, why they didn't implement the ability to use a real PC format HD or partition is beyond me, the coding for the drive image access is sloppy and fails all the time, and when it does it badly, you LOSE the entire drive image and everything in it (most of the data is still there, but no version of VPC will access it any more), and attempting to reaquire the drive, or even the program itself is not possible, because after such a crash, VPC7 forces you to reinstall itself. This means you have to get out your original discs (7.0 base and upgrade, and the Windows OS disc, you then have to reinstall it all over agin, in exactly the right order (if not, you have to start from scratch), and then you have to track down the 2 or 3 serial numbers you have to have, and if you are testing with XP, you have to freaking call the damn company to Authenticate Windows, all over again.

This crash issue happens very frequently (at least on my Mac). Last year, I had to go through this process SIX times. Currently I have no viable VPC HD image... I'm using DOS-Box for a few things currently, and a local library to test what few things I can use their computers for (if you have to restart, their computers reset to a base image, so nothing that requires a 2-stage install ^_^).

I should also point out that due to Microsoft's method of sticking things all over, pref file (or one of the other files) corruption can also cause the forced re-install... and VPC7 rarely comes out working after a restored backup on my system (everything else does, though).

Virtual drive backups are essential but a pain in the ass when you are testing things that play with video (I tend to have to max the size of my virtual PC drives).

I'd go back to 6, but because everything I have is an upgrade from back before OSX existed, the disc with my 98 image refuses to install, bizarrely it launches the script editor instead of installing.

I have to figure out which version and which Mac OS system to start with, and run at least 3 upgrade discs to get to 6.0. If I have to run something that desperately in Windows before I get a new computer, I'll take the time to figure it out, but it's not worth it, otherwise.

IF YOU HAVE VPC6, STICK WITH IT! Don't upgrade. If you have access to a full version of VPC5 or 6 install those. Otherwise, your best bet is to invest in new hardware.

VERSION 7 SUCKS! I can't stress it enough. And I should also point out, like one other reviewer did... It's dangerous, apparently not only to your PC "drive" but to your Mac's drives.

I wonder if the Windows version of VPC is as moronicly designed and implemented.  
(Version 7.0.3)

BOBSTER  Well, I've been mucking with Virtual PC 7 for a few days, but there are things about it that lead me to believe MS is not interested in making a fast emulator. Come to think of it, why would they? Since they acquired Connectix a few years ago (the creators of Virtual PC and that awesome Playstation emulator, among others), I can only conclude MS doesn't want to put any real effort into making VPC a great product, since ultimately it is serving the 'enemy' Mac users. Of course, now that the newer Macs are Intel-based and can run Windoze, that hammers the nail in the coffin I would think.

I'm glad that Connectix created this product, it's helped on a few occasions. But one thing I cannot abide the slowness. VPC7 thinks I have a 532MHz CPU when it's actually 1 GHz, and by default the video card is an S3Trio32/64 'legacy' card, when I actually have an ATI Radeon 9600. VRAM can only be set max 16MB, but my Radeon has 256MB. Surely in this update, the hardware defaults could have been upgraded? My Mac is 4 years old, and a Radeon 9600 is not exactly new...

Anyway, there is the main problem: the OS itself LOL but let's not go there.  
(Version 7.0.3)

ALEX B  I'm more amazed with the fact that Microsoft has the audacity to continue charging for this product when they offer the PC version for free.  
(Version 7.0.3)

BEDOUIN  Anyone else amazed that MS bothered to release an update for VPC, considering they seemed to have abandoned it a long time ago?   
(Version 7.0.3)

MACUSR  98SE files using this on my G4 iBook. This must be the only good thing Microsoft came out with. I was able to run map software, install and run Sim City 2000, and it's wonderful. I'm even going to try RollerCoaster Tycoon!  
(Version 7.0.2)

NORTONJG  will this update make virtual pc to run on tiger 10.4.3?  
(Version 7.0.2)

MAD MAC'S  Bloated like all MicroSoft products.

Slower with each new update.

Can't play MSN Zone Games under any windows flavour but iEmulator can.

Can't play 90% of the windows games but iEmulator CAN play about 70%

It's a shame MicroSlop took over Virtual PC, it's a dead horse, now quit beating it and move aside for some real programmers.  
(Version 7.0.2)

FILTER  I'm giving this 0 stars. Not only did this come 6 months too late (being practically useless to me because the only reason I use this is to test sites running on the Mac side with Win/IE), it's now causing kernel panics about every other session (unacceptable!!!).

If You need to develop things for Win, get the cheapest PC box that'll run the version of Windows You're targeting, it'll be much-much faster and you won't loose stuff on your Mac when it bombs.

This is not good software. Period.  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  What happened to the ability to expand fixed drives? This is essential! I have to recreate my drive all over again on a larger partition because Microsoft stupidly removed this feature.  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  Takes all sorts of liberties with your system. Also, the startup items it installs without asking broke every other startup item I had installed, including SideTrack and Version Cue. How do Microsoft churn out such garbage?  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANDREW WILKINSON  Virtual switch refuses to work under 10.4.1 Tiger. Anybody know a way to get the web working via wireless? Or do I need to plug into the router directly.

Please help. Email me: awilkinson@gmail.com

Thanks.  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  **BEWARE OF 7.0.2 upgrade if using VPC with a GPS device**

Upgrading to 7.0.2 stops VPC being able to communicate with GPS device. Garmin GPS device connected via Keyspan USB-Serial adaptor - works fine under 10.4.1 using 7.0.1. As soon as upgraded to 7.0.2 it cannot connect. Tested with various programs and on a Dual G5 and PB G4. Have had to uninstall VPC 7.0.2 and re-install 7.0.1.   
(Version 7.0.2)

PATDDFAN  I hate using a Virtual PC because you gotta have a lot of RAM to make it fast (as if 256 MB of RAM will even run os X! that sux!)  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  Virtual pc is no longer a stand alone application.It installs stuff all over your operating system.  
(Version 7.0.2)

SIPOWICZ  What's the hubbub, bubs? Virtual Switch Networking feature fails on startup under 7.0.1 and Tiger (10.4.1), but that's minor. Otherwise it runs fine (Dual 2GHx G5). Very stable, if not speedy, no complaints. Hoping for a full boat after this upgrade.  
(Version 7.0.2)

TERRY M  VP7.0 ran just fine under Tiger on a G4 PowerBook but refused to start up on a dual processor G5. With this update the G5 still refuses to startup. It's sort of useless to me.  
(Version 7.0.2)

CLOUDSCOUT  The update installed without any issues on my PowerBook although it took longer than I expected to install the updated additions into my Windows XP guest OS (more than 5 minutes). Virtual Switch does appear to be fixed with this update.  
(Version 7.0.2)

HIPPEMAN  Finally running with Tiger..  
(Version 7.0.2)

ANONYMOUS  I wonder if this one's packaged as a universal binary. ;)  
(Version 7.0.2)

MS SUCKS  JUST GREAT. After updating to VPC 7, I now find that my Keyspan serial adapter isn't working. After hours of fooling around with this, I finally find that VPC 7 doesn't support it anymore. VPC 6 DID! What a waste! The reason I use Windows is for this device support. WHAT A FRIGGIN JOKE! Back to VPC 6. Take a zero rating from me bub. Can I get my money back?  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  does not seem to work with tiger, i hope ms releases a patch for the kernel extensions which don't load under 425  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Is there ANY way to buy it as a download? I don't want to schlep to the store.  
(Version 7.0.1)

JAMES  just make sure u run this with W2000 and not XP. Performance will be much better...  
(Version 7.0.1)

YOXI  Actually, tho' 700MHz is minimum system requirement, VPC 7 runs quite a bit faster on my tibook 400MHz than v6 did. Installation crashed my computer whilst importing a v6 Win98 drive, but after that it is now working fine and faster. A bit pricey, but for those pc apps that just don't exist on mac (Sage Accountant etc.) this is a lovely alternative to the twin machine lifestyle... but is there firewire support yet?  
(Version 7.0.1)

DR BURKE   Brought it, got it. love it.

I can click between Mac or Windows desktop with one mouse click or have them open in the same window @ the same time.

I can download a Mac and Windows file at the same time, on two different operating systems, using the same DSL connection @ an excellent speed !

I can cruise the internet on one side and download on the other or listen to music and do both.

I can download a Mac file in the Window enviroment and toss it over to a shared folder and open it up to run under my Mac OS.

I can copy text from a Window doc and paste it into a Mac doc, like text edit, no hassle, but not images (?). There's no problem with the two OS

talking to each and sharing a common local folder.

After a breaking in time for the learning curve, I've come to love Virtural PS7.01, it's cheaper than a new Windows computer and it does everything I want it to do, plus my two systems talk to one another with the click of a mouse button. GREAT!!! Now if I could only buy a Windows machine that would run Mac OS, I could get a cheaper computer and dump my silver dual that keeps bombing on me and the no respect attitude I get from Apple. Where are you Amiga?? Please come back..... :-)

If you need some help, drop me a line. I would

use Mac OS 10.3, anything above that is kind

of unstable and buggy. Even for Myst Revelations.  
(Version 7.0.1)

DJ  buy the W2000 version for faster performance. XP is terrible imho.. (but whattya expect? lol)

But W2K is faster than XP for emulation like this, still no speedy beast though. So don't get your hopes up!

Maybe the next G5's due out will be better but it's nothing special atm on this dual 2ghz/3.5gig.

Plus where's the gfx card support?

Nice app, shame it's slow...  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  WOW! It actually runs just as slow as the real thing!!! Thanks Microsoft, for making it all the more real!  
(Version 7.0.1)

IRONJUSTICE  I've been using Virtual PC 7 for about a week.

It's noticable more 'Microsoft' now, less user-friendly, ignores requests to it, has unnecessary 3 second fading when switching screen sizes (why?), is slower and more bloated, everything you'd expect from Microsoft, right?

I'm going back to VPC6, thank you very much, but with one problem. VPC7 alters drive images so that 6 can't read 'em anymore - of course it does, should I have expected any less?

Luckily I backed up my images, but will have to re-install software I've used since 7.

My advice - don't bother with it.  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  using a humble ibook with v6 and was quite happy. Tried v7 and it's *much* slower!!

Now this might be because we used W2000 with v6 and now the terrible XP with v7 but not happy!

Expensive too !! LOL  
(Version 7.0.1)

RULON  Running on a Power Mac G4 we saw much speed improvement using VPC 7.0.1 vrs Version 6.0.

The we added an additional 512MB memory (total 1024MB) and set the VPC allocation to maximum. Result: Speed was very fast! Programs run very similar to the PCs which we use in the business world.

Cannot comment on games, as we use machine for work only, but definitely recommend this product.  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  WOW Miles better than 6 which was as slow as a sticky shite rolling down velcro hill. I don't have much love for M$ but they have done the buisness here, in terms of improvements XP is now bearable and Win 2000 is very impressive and thats on a 700mhz eMac.  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Hey Microsoft, thanks for capping VPC's RAM limit @ 512Mb & Processing is @ 532MHz.(lol) That will do us digital artist & Gamers a lot of good. I have a Dual-2GHz processor with 2056Mb of RAM(  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  way TOO SLOW !

but i would recomend using W2000 over XP any day. Much faster... but the VPC7/G5 combo is nothing like we expected :-(  
(Version 7.0.1)

HENRY  After using this software for three days, I'm extremely pleased with the improvement's I've noticed. Microsoft has delivered a solid product with VPC 7.0, especially in terms speed and overall stability. This is easily twice as fast as version 6 on my 1.33 GHz G4 PowerBook, and it's compatible with XP SP2, the install of which would freeze at a "Please Wait..." screen under VPC 6. It also seems to fix a resolution problem I encountered in the previous version which made full screen mode difficult to engage. VPC still won't equivocate your mac to the latest PC gaming machine, but it was never intended to. It's intended to allow the use of Windows-only software on the mac, and as of now no other product can compete with the speed, refinement, and features of Virtual PC 7.  
(Version 7.0.1)

JOSEPH WATT  First off, let me say that I am extremely disappointed with the negative reviews of VP7. Before I purchased this program, I tried to find reviews of version 7 (XP Pro edition), but could only find reviews of 6.1. Then, when MacUpdates listed 7.01 update, I finally found reviews of the product.

Unfortunately (or fortunately) I had already ordered the product and was awaiting it's arrival, when I began reading these reviews. I started panicking, thinking, "Can I get my money back?" and "Should I refuse it at the door, so I can get a full refund?" Instead, I accepted the package and began installing the product. Keep in mind, I don't have some fancy new G5 like all these "reviews" say they have. I just have a plain old G4, running at 1.25 MHz.

Shame on all of you who gave this product a bad review!! Your comments were not helpful and just plain not true. Not only did this product install in record time, Windows XP Pro itself installed in a fraction of the time it took to install on my PC! These negative reviews were misleading and I am here to set the record straight for those of you like me, wondering if I should, or should not buy it.

Now in fairness, I am not playing PC games on Windows XP Pro, but then again, that's why I bought the "Pro" edition - to run professional software. I can not rate the way the "games" play through VP7, but then again, I am not here to play games with this program, I am here to work!

I installed Adobe CS Suite, Macromedia MX 2004 Suite, Office 2004 Professional, FoxPro 8 and 2 different vinyl restoration softwares, in under 1 hour! Exactly what part of this was slow?? I have yet to see the slooow part the "Negative Nancy's" on here are referring to.

I have been running emulated PC programs on my MAC, dating all the way back to the first one called Soft Windows - all the way up through and including VP6.1 and talk about SLOOOOW. My God, just to open IE I celebrated a birthday while waiting. It must take 2 minutes just to get IE to open on VP 6.1 Well not on VP7!

This new version screams! I can not believe how fast it is. Seriously. You click on something and "Woop, there it is". How they got this thing running this fast? I don't really care, but I am completely thankful they finally fixed this sucker - something Connetix NEVER could. Until I got VP7, I felt I had been robbed and then some. Not any more.

I did read one reviewer who had the same reaction as me and offered up the idea that maybe the "beta" (free) version did not contain all the parts of the one you pay for. I don't know if this is true, because I never tried the "beta". If this is true, then thank God I did not try the "beta" first, otherwise I would be bitching like everyone else. I don't know what these "G5" people are talking about, but on a G4, this thing rips! Maybe they should trade in their G5's and get a G4?

Seriously guys, they finally fixed Virtual PC, with version 7 and I personally recommend buying it. I am running the "stand alone" version, not the one included in the Office Professional package. This version is sold separately. The version I bought is VP7- WINXP Professional (not the home edition). I would give this six stars if the rating system went that high. It runs all my professional software at lightning speed and installs them faster than on my PC (What's up with that?). It may not run PC games that well, again I don't know because I do not own any PC games. I bought VP7 to run my professional software and it exceeds my expectations!

Joseph Watt  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  slower on my dual G5 than vpc6 is on my dual G4!! How come MS? lol this is poor  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Microsoft never made VPC 5 or 6. This is the first version of VPC made by Microsoft.  
(Version 7.0.1)

LEOOFBORG  Nah. MS didn't get it right with VPC's 5 or 6. From what I'm reading here, they're not getting it right yet again.

I've decided to invest in a crap intel box and not this sucker bait if I need to test WIndows.  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Dang this is slow! VPC 6 certainly runs faster. It seemed faster when I first installed Windows XP, but after installing Service Pack 2, it got so slow that I reinstalled Service Pack 1.  
(Version 7.0.1)

RICHARD  For all those who finds VPC running like a tortoise, consider creating another user account especially for VPC usage.

Althought it does not run like a hare, it is much better that in the user account where you are.

You maybe exhausting the processing power, while running other applications.

You will need to goto System Preference - Accounts to create a new user, you will also need to migrate the Virtual PC folders in the home/documents folder.  
(Version 7.0.1)

BUBBA  If you are thinking about buying VPC, because "certainly by now they have gotten it right." Think again and stay away from this product.

Even with a dual 2G and this new update, VPC is way to sluggish for routine use. On anything else, you might as well run Windows 3 on an old 286.  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  M$ has really destroyed this app since they bought it out. Installer 7.0.1 give unspecified error and quits. Vers 7.0.0 is much slower than vers 5!  
(Version 7.0.1)

MARTY JAMES  Is it possible that this runs slower the v6? I run v6 on a Dual 1Ghz G4 1GB RAM and v7 on a G5 2.5Ghz w 4GB RAM and it seems slower on the G5.

One thing that actually has some merit though is that it saves you having a butt ugly PC sharing you desktop realestate ;)  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Plain and simple... Microsoft makes this app awful so that you will buy a PC and be the victims of their monolopy. I love my mac and will stay with it forever.

If i could give it a 0 on rating, i would. but 1 is the lowest i could... so thats what i put.  
(Version 7.0.1)

ANONYMOUS  Well, let's put it this way. I'm running Virtual PC 7.0 on a G-5 and it's a good thing I only have a couple of p.c. applications to run. This program is slower than my old 1996 Windows 95 program. It took 1/2 hour to print one page from a card program and if you have too many pages open in FrontPage, it constantly crashes.

Until I can afford Dreamweaver, and the time it takes to learn Dreamweaver, this will have to do, but it is no prize for sure...

Certainly confirms why I switched to a Mac in the first place.  
(Version 7.0)

MIKE  Virtual PC runs at something equivalent to a 10 year old PC (between 200mhz - 300mhz on most Macs). This means 1 thing: you can not run modern high-res, processor-demanding applications. Anything, other than basic low-demanding or old applications will be very slow. so forget any modern popular game. Microsoft, and the daft product reviewers who report this as an amazing product, seem to have missed the point. This is not a Virtual PC if PC means something higher than 600mhz (you could buy a better PC for the price of this product!). For some people this could be useful - but a better name would be 'Not Quite a PC'.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  if you think you can emulate a 2ghz Pentium 4 with a 1.5ghz Powerbook G4 then you're just plain stupid!  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  WOW now whe have 6.1.1 with just another name.

I have never made such a bad investment as it still emulates a p2mmx running at +/-300mhz and 16 mb graphics card.

So what do I do with the extra 1gb ram on my pbook 1.5ghz that I bought in hopes that it might speed up VPC.

I wanted at least p4 2ghz 32-64mb graphics and what about the pc games that one should be able to play ????

Microsoft stop using drugs and do something.  
(Version 7.0)

FRO  well i havent had a single problem im on a powerbook G4 with 1.3GHZ not Faster than my mac or nothing but its doing the job Plus ... im doing some networking with PC side no problems yet BUT KEY WORD YET  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  Crashes if your Mac has 2G or more memory. Not a ready for prime time player.   
(Version 7.0)

KNIFE  slowwwwwwwwwww with even slowwwwwwwwwwwerrrrrrrr graphics support!! Using a dual G5 also  
(Version 7.0)

TRISTIAN TREMAINE  I'm a Mac Dual 2.0 GHZ G5 owner (250GBHD/2.5GB RAM/Rad9800) - I can honestly state that VPC 6.1 ran faster, near problem free, rarely ever crashing on my old TiBook 1ghz machine - honestly!!!.

(I used to joke that VPC on a mac was more reliable than a PC! I'd be an honest liar if I was to make that claim today!)

Microsoft, what have you done? the Connectix versions where vastly superior in nearly every way!! My G5 can barely run an O/S for 120 seconds without some problem, crash, hang or other performance related issue! The old version was frankly, FINE - what have they done!  
(Version 7.0)

FRASK  Okay so i go to the apple store and i get my VPC 7, i try to install windows XP in a Virtual Drive and it crashed about 4 times during the installation. After 3/4 hours trying i finally get to run Windows XP, i add 512 Ram to the Virtual PC and let me tell you: It's horrible.

*Slow. *Buggy. *Way too slow. *High resolutions are not supported.

I am running a Dual 1.8 G5 with 1.5 Ram.  
(Version 7.0)

ANON (SAME AS PREVIOUS)  And for running Win XP SP2 with VPC 7, some one told you will need a pretty fast G5 Mac.

So the win2k might be best solution for most, that dont have the fasr G5.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  Runs pretty ok on slow 350 MHz BW G3 and osX Panther 10.3.5, with Windows 2000 Pro. Although lowest hardware is said to be 500 MHz :->

Documentation tells Windows 2000 is the oldest OS it supports, so i guess Win 98 SE would have problems.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  Piece of crap. Windows 98 SE does not work very well. Windows XP is pure crap and too slow. Back to v 6.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  After having used an illegally downloaded Beta version of VPC7 and then using the Retail version, I can say that the Retail knocks the socks off of the beta. Maybe that beta is what's getting poor reviews. Compared to VPC6, VPC7 is significanly faster. My hardware is a REV A PowerBook 12" running WinXP Pro SP2 on VPC7 with the PC set for High Performance under the My Computer Properties.

If this gets graphics support, it's going to be terrific!

Oh yeah... I hate Microsoft too, but can't live without VPC and Entourage.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  Definately faster within the PC and also at saving and restoring PCs. Don't knock to too hard...I hate microsoft but this is definately an improvement...  
(Version 7.0)

X-RATED  G5 owner here and hard drive access *does* seem pretty lame. Gfx card support?? A little too expensive also...  
(Version 7.0)

NICK  The speed has been greatly increased from 6.x, I don't know why all these people are giving this app bad credit. MS has done a good job.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  i was expecting so much more from my dual G5 compared to last years dual G4/vpc6 results :-(

HDD speeds seem poor also.....  
(Version 7.0)

SIRIWATT  Very slow with my G5 1.6GHz  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  So I got Virtual PC yesterday, installed it on my G5 Dual 2.0 GHZ with 8GB of RAM, does it work...NOOOOO! I call Microsoft, what do they say:

"We are aware of the problem but if you have more then 2.0GHX of RAM it won't work. We are working to resolve the issue.

Good Job Microsoft.  
(Version 7.0)

WHYTOI  Can't believe the star rating on this software. I'd bet that if it was still in Connectix's hands, there would have been an automatic credit of 2 additional stars. From my trial of it, it's definitely faster all round than the 6.x series. Speed and compatibility really should be the key criteria for this software. Guys, let's forget MSFT but concentrate on rating the software.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  While with VPC6 I was abble to mount Toast images (Through capture Cd image) with this version it is not possible anymore. Any solution?  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  Wow...so fast on my G5!  
(Version 7.0)

DARYLF2  I received my copy (as part of the Office 2004 Pro Upgrade I bought from Amazon.com) on Saturday, October 2, 2004. It installed smoothly and the included Windows XP Pro installation works very well. I upgraded my old Windows 2000 Pro "disk" from Virtual PC 6 and, although VPC7 warned that it was "unsupported" it works fine (and the Virtual PC additions installed fine as well). My Windows 2000 "disk"'s applications, including Office 2000 Premium, Visual C++ 6, and Total Annihilation, all work well and are very fast and perfectly usable.

For "office" type applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, Access, etc.), my "virtual" PC seems about as fast as a real PC. For games, I've only tried Total Annihilation and it works very well, but it is a pretty old (circa 1997) games that doesn't use graphics hardware acceleration as most newer 3D games do. TA does get bogged down with 500 units/per side at 1600x1200 with all graphics options enabled, but its still playable even then.

I'm running on a Dual 2.5 GHz Power Mac G5 with 2.0GB RAM and an ATI Radeon 9800XT 256MB video card. My "virtual" PC is running Windows 2000 with 512MB RAM and 8MB Video RAM allocated to it. With this setup, Virtual PC 7 is usable for everything I need a PC for, except perhaps for running new games (not a priority for me, and I'm happy with games that are Mac OS X native).  
(Version 7.0)

BEARFILM  Pllease stop with the "go buy a pc" crap comments already...Everytime I search for info i see you trolls posting these comments...The day I can lug a "cheap pc" and a mac around with me to work and back home, to appointments and on airplanes around the world, then I will buy one. Until then, I find that with Virtual PC I already am able to do that and get done what I need just fine.

I think, like most of us that use this program, we KNOW that we are not going to get a state of the art windows machine for $129.00 - we are using this program in order to bring our beloved macs into the workplace and have comaptibility with our key Programs" that have no usable counterpart or native compatibility. I will continue using this product until someone develops a better al;ternative. I aam very excited at the prospect of that other Virtual software (whatever it's name) that would allow us to run PC software on our macs (natively?) There is no clue as to when that will be released however. so microsoft gets my $99/upgrade cash for now.

Now for my question, when exactly is the upgrade version going to ship? I got all excited when i saw this, but I hear rumors of November for the upgrade. The download liink shows all versions as preorder still. Does anyone have a clue to ship dates?   
(Version 7.0)

SMKSENSEI  It's much easier and better performance-wise to simply have a headless PC running XP-Pro or Win2k Server and just RDC into the box. Besides, its makes a nice iTunes server too!  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  how can you judge a product thats not on the market?  
(Version 7.0)

TRASHCAN  64-bit speed ?????  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  VPC is software that some require, and some don't. But for those that are forced to use windows, it provides a nice alternative, so you don't actually have to go out and GET windows.  
(Version 7.0)

GOSTCODER  Religious fanatics aside. VPC does what it's supposed to, it emulates a PC in your mac. I'm sure they could find more ways to speed it up if they really wanted to.

From what I've read on Microsoft's site, it doesn't appear to fully support G5 64-bit processing, they merely did what was required for VPC to work on the G5.

Microsoft previously stated that they would add video card support to VPC, it is still noticeably absent.

VPC's only real downfall is it's low performance. If you already have an actual PC, or you can buy one for less than $300, use it instead. Otherwise, this may be a good choice for it's intended purpose.

Personally, I'll wait until they do good on their word and add video card support.  
(Version 7.0)

ANONYMOUS  VPC is the best software application ever written. Yes its slow, but everything works if you need it to.

If you want to run PC apps and it to go fast, buy a PC or a new dual G4 with raided 15K drives and it will run fine. VPC should be only for the occasional little app you can't run.   
(Version 6.1.1)

ANONYMOUS  I found Virtual PC completely useless. they (including Apple's own website unfortunately) say that it is there to emulate a PC and run "PC only internet applications"

Cant handle the simplest taks in MSN messenger like timely text chats and just forget about web cam and audio

As I said.. COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY and unfortunately, serious SERIOUS misrepresentation by both Apple and Microsoft.  
(Version 6.1.1)

ANONYMOUS  WE DONT WANT YOU IN THE MAC COMMUNITY MICROSOFT,If we did we would buy a pc and put windows on it.....YOU money grubbin fools need to stay away from us mac people,Windows is evil and people are starting to find out the crap that is.Microsoft the billion dollar company is still trying to make more and more money and now there moving to the mac users.Shame on you microsoft.  
(Version 6.1.1)

REV. KOPAFIEL  This is not an OS X native app. It's carbonized. And like all other carbon apps, vpc sucks swampwater.

I would rather jump naked into a swimming pool filled with double-edged razor blades, than try to work with the glacier-like speed of virtual pc.  
(Version 6.1.1)

ANONYMOUS  This is a slowwww program and has a hard time running Excel. Make sure you can return it before buying.  
(Version 6.1.1)

ANONYMOUS  Fantastic!

1) It lets me run all my business applications that require Windoze.

2) Still lots of websites running on MS/IS will only display and work correctly using WinExplorer.

3) Best of all multiple environments can be saved in 10 seconds with the PC applications left open, restarted in less then 15 seconds and also duplicated (takes a little longer).  
(Version 6.1.1)

ANONYMOUS  dont bother with vpc.......wait 2 weeks for darwine to be ready.  
(Version 6.1.1)

ANONYMOUS  I bought this very usless software. It still uses the Pentium II as it's emulated CPU. What a joke. since 99.9% of software/ Games use the Pentium III or later. Installed alright in OSX 10.2.8 without any problem. If you want to run Windows, games and other software, buy a PC and Keep your Mac for Mac stuff.  
(Version 6.1)

ANONYMOUS  I returned Virtual PC and got my money back. It would not work on my osx. Specifically, it could not properly allow me to print with my Epson laser printer.  
(Version 4.0.5b)

ANONYMOUS  OK.  
(Version 4.0.5b)

ANONYMOUS  very slow & only a beta  
(Version 4.0.5b)

BILL  Incredibly slow. Why bother? I just purchased Virtual PC at the same time as I purchased OS X, and yet they want to charge me to upgrade to this.  
(Version 4.0.5b)