Re: [News] VPC 7 lacks planned features

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From: Gary Kantz (gkantz_at_comcast.net)
Date: 09/16/04 

Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 12:01:10 -0500

You know, I have to agree with most of this griping about Microsoft. I
really thought that considering the continuing resurgence of the Mac they
would have capitalized on this. This is NOT a case where they are trying to
slight Mac users, because sales of Virtual PC will still represent more
Windows users. If you do the math, it is in MS's best interest to make this
a success. I think the real issue is incompetence. If someone in Redmond
woke up and smelled the coffee, they would have put a greater development
effort into this thing to get the features discussed into the product NOW.

But for me, all I really care about NOW is G5 compatibility, so if that
works and is at least somewhat faster than before, that will keep me
content. I've had my dual 2gHz G5 for a year now with NO VPC, so just
getting the compatibility is a huge step. I only pray they didn't screw it
up where the speed jump is so minuscule that I might as well just use my
friggin' iBook G4 with VPC.

gmk

On 9/15/04 1:34 AM, in article
150920041834231212%helpful_harry@nom.de.plume.com, "Helpful Harry"
<helpful_harry@nom.de.plume.com> wrote:

>
>
> This is from AppleInsider.com ...
>
>
> Virtual PC 7.0 released under pressure, lacks planned features
> ----------------------------------------------- By Kasper Jade
>
> Amidst pressure from several avenues, Microsoft was forced to
> cut features from its new Windows emulation software in order
> to deliver G5 compatibility without further delays.
>
> Many of the feature enhancements originally planned for
> Virtual PC 7.0 did not make it into the version of software
> that will begin shipping this month, multiple sources tell
> AppleInsider.
>
> According to reports, the emerging presence of Apple's G5
> processor played a major role in Microsoft's decision to
> trim a significant number of features from the emulation
> software late in its development cycle. As a result,
> sources said that the software may not run as fast as
> some users may have come to expect.
>
> Native Graphics Card Support
> While Apple began introducing G5-based computers in June of
> last year, a G5 compatible version of Virtual PC had yet to
> ship a year later. It was about this time that Redmond,
> Washington-based Microsoft began feeling pressure from Apple
> to get the product out the door, sources said. With current
> and potential G5 customers miffed over a lack of Virtual PC
> support, and an imminent release of the iMac G5 around the
> corner, Microsoft began to trim around the fat.
>
> One of the key features to hit the chopping block was native
> graphics card support. Although Virtual PC 7.0 does deliver
> faster, cleaner graphics, users will find that the software
> still emulates the S3 Virge chipset from the late 90s, with
> no 3D acceleration. Sources said that native graphics
> support remains under development, but is unlikely to
> surface for many months.
>
> Expanded RAM and emulated RAM Disk
> Several additional features have also been delayed until
> future revisions of software, such as an increase in the
> software's PC memory from 512MB to 4GB and a new option to
> use Virtual PC's virtual PC hard drive as a RAM disk for
> faster virtual disk performance.
>
> Multiprocessor Support Refinements
> Microsoft has also decided to hold off on some refinements
> to Virtual PC's multiprocessing support, which will
> eventually allow audio emulation, networking, IDE I/O, and
> USB functions to be offloaded from the primary processor.
>
> Virtual PC 7.0 was released to manufacturing late last
> month and should begin arriving on retail store shelves
> in October. The release will deliver support for G5-based
> Apple computers, better graphics handling, expanded
> preferences, and an improved user experience.
>
> Future versions of Virtual PC are expected to reacquire
> most, if not all of the features cut from the development
> of Virtual PC 7.0. Unfortunately, sources were unable to
> provide target release dates, stating only that some
> features may not mature until next summer.
>
>
>
>
>
> Helpful Harry
> Hopefully helping harassed humans happily handle handiwork hardships ;o)

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