VMWare or Virtual PC?

[altecsole]

I'm looking to setup a machine with some VM software installed for testing etc. Has anyone got any preference between VMWare and Virtual PC?

 

I'll be looking to run Windows Server 2003, Windows XP Pro and Windows 2000 Pro. I want to be able to do test software installs on VM workstations and some work with AD and GPs on the VM Server, with VM workstations logging on to the VM Server.

 

The base machine spec will be P4, 2GB RAM, 80 GB HDD. Does this sound reasonable?

 

Thanks for taking the time to read and reply.

[Ric_]

If you have the cash go for VMWare - it's got lots more features and IMHO is dead easy to use. Virtual PC has never struck me as being quite as easy.

 

With the new VMWare Player (free), you can also create disk images that you could install on staff laptops (for example) where they could test software that they might want to buy. When they are done testing, the changes are lost and no harm is done) - with Virtual PC you would need more licenses.

[tarquel]

I thought Virtual PC was pretty good - had a 2004 trial as i recall...but I've tried VMWare and I find it much more configurable and generally easier to use.

 

Cant say for Virtual Server 2005 tho, although you could give it a try:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=803ff21d-0c62-453d-8696-7894bb549cbd&displaylang=en

 

Cheers

Nath

[Sirbendy]

I use VMWare 5.5.0 here for building/sysprepping/ghosting/testing workstation builds..I do have to tweak the config manually sometimes though.

[ChrisH]

I love VMware as well and use it for my testing and package builds. I migrated from NT 4 to 2003 using VMware using my workstation with a bit of extra ram in it. I even had a full backup of my NT Domain on a virtual server in case of disaster.

[DMcCoy]

I'm going with Vmware, used it at home for years. Liked it so much I got esx

[altecsole]

VMWare it is then.

 

Thanks to everyone who replied.

[Dos_Box]

VMware let you use USB devices. M$ Virtual PC does not. VMWare also has better Linux integration. M$ Stripped it out of their product (developed by someone else of course) and as such is very hit and miss with Linux installs. Oh, and as has already been stated, VMWare player is free, you only have to buy one or two Workstation versions to create your images on. M$ requires licensing accross the board.

[GrumbleDook]

Being a Mac user ... I used Virtual PC for many a year under Connectix ... and boy, did their support rock.

 

Then along came G5s ... and M$ ... and then you are left with a pants attempt at emulation.

 

I have never been happy with the speed since, it relies too much on an increase in hardware specs for improved performance between versions that on better code.

 

I am just starting with VMWare now and like the look of it ... may even fork out for it after the trial.

[ajbritton]

I have used Virtual PC since it was the Connectix product. Done lots of testing, sometimes with 2 servers and a workstation on the go. Done RIS build simulation, software packaging. You name it, it does it. Linux support not good though. I too thought that I noticed a speed decrease when it went to MS, but this seems to have been sorted with SP1.

 

Think I read somewhere that the VMWare player can play MS Virtual PC images (!!!).

 

With regards to the PC spec, I'd get a bigger HDD. I rapdly filled most of a 160Gb disk with a few server builds.