A windows version

[Majors]

The reason I won't buy both is that I don't want to pay for both, it just doesn't make sense especially when they are really expensive in my own opinion like $150-200 each.

I was gonna say dual boot XP/Win7 but there is the cost factor. I'm sure you can find SOMEWAY to get XP...an old tower that has a product key? Buy Win7 for sure. If you're a student you can get Win7 for FREE at most schools (OnTheHub)...or find someone at a school <hint hint>.

Then I read you're on a Mac...grrrrr. Why the **** get a ****ing Mac when you want to run Windows?! Don't get me started on this tirade.

Back to the XP thing, you can still have issue with controllers and drivers since it's so old and the games are even older. GoG and Steam are much better ways to play old games IMO. I ran into much headache attempting to get Omnikon running on XP, mainly the controls.

[gtmtnbiker]

Then I read you're on a Mac...grrrrr. Why the **** get a ****ing Mac when you want to run Windows?! Don't get me started on this tirade.

I don't have a problem with this. He's interested in Windows mainly for the games aspect. More power to him for his desire to use both OSes.

Personally, I would like to try to build a Hackintosh and play around with the MacOS again.

[isiolia]

You should be able to find the older Windows Discs used for cheap. I forgot to mention something else about Virtual PC.

The Mac version comes with Windows XP.

The PC version is just Virtual PC, a freeware from Microsoft. You still have to install the Operating System. This is actually a plus, you can install separate folders for Win XP, Win98 SE, Linux, Win 3.11 and DOS 6.2. No separate partitions needed, just a folder for each system and maybe add a common share folder.

The actual Virtual PC product is currently only made for Windows 7's XP mode. The Mac version hasn't been produced in years, and the freeware version, while still available for download, is an older version and won't install on 7. The current version doesn't officially support anything prior to XP SP3, or non-MS OSes.

If one is looking for a good, free virtual machine, then VirtualBox is likely the way to go these days.

There are other options too, VMWare Fusion or Parallels desktop for the Mac.

[jfrost]

I use GOG, I'm outside the US. No problems at all.

[avrame]

PM'd

[CRTGAMER]

You should be able to find the older Windows Discs used for cheap. I forgot to mention something else about Virtual PC.

The Mac version comes with Windows XP.

The PC version is just Virtual PC, a freeware from Microsoft. You still have to install the Operating System. This is actually a plus, you can install separate folders for Win XP, Win98 SE, Linux, Win 3.11 and DOS 6.2. No separate partitions needed, just a folder for each system and maybe add a common share folder.

The actual Virtual PC product is currently only made for Windows 7's XP mode. The Mac version hasn't been produced in years, and the freeware version, while still available for download, is an older version and won't install on 7. The current version doesn't officially support anything prior to XP SP3, or non-MS OSes.

Strange, works fine for me. Win 7 64 Bit Home with Virtual PC. Maybe its an older and possibly better version, I'll post a screenshot later. I love it, it can run multiple OS in different folders.

[isiolia]

Strange, works fine for me. Win 7 64 Bit Home with Virtual PC. Maybe its an older and possibly better version, I'll post a screenshot later. I love it, it can run multiple OS in different folders.

Compared to the current version, the previous iteration, Virtual PC 2007, did officially support more. It's still available for use on pre-7 systems. Or, that's the intended use - it does actually install. Coulda sworn I had issues with it before.

A lot of it probably boils down more to what's officially supported (and thus has assistance) versus stuff you could technically get to work. The current Virtual PC can actually run DOS, and Windows 98, etc, but won't hold your hand getting them to work. MS's VirtualPC Blog has had some instructions though (example).

Depending on what one wants to run though, VirtualPC in general may still not be that good a choice. Anything that starts wanting 3D acceleration will be lacking, whereas other products (including VirtualBox) at least have rudimentary support for that kind of thing.

[deathsled]

If your computer is old, there's no point in putting Windows 7 on it. It'll be slow and chuggy.

So untrue. I have Win7 on a 900mhz single core celeron M netbook and it flies lol

If someone is using a computer that's slower than that they need to be thinking about a computer upgrade and not an OS upgrade haha

[gtmtnbiker]

A lot of it probably boils down more to what's officially supported (and thus has assistance) versus stuff you could technically get to work. The current Virtual PC can actually run DOS, and Windows 98, etc, but won't hold your hand getting them to work. MS's VirtualPC Blog has had some instructions though (example).

If you google, you can find Virtual PC images pre-installed with Windows 2008. I went through this exercise trying to get Mario Teaches Typing to work.

[neilencio]

If your computer is old, there's no point in putting Windows 7 on it. It'll be slow and chuggy.

So untrue. I have Win7 on a 900mhz single core celeron M netbook and it flies lol

If someone is using a computer that's slower than that they need to be thinking about a computer upgrade and not an OS upgrade haha

This. There are benchmarks out there testing XP, Vista, and 7 that shows 7's performance is comparable to (or only a stone's throw away from) XP. Vista's always been the runt of the litter.

I think the main difference between XP and 7 at this point (outside of software compatibilities) is the memory footprint. Sure, 7 can go toe to toe with XP when it comes to speed (and once superfetch starts working right, it could work a hair better) BUT it needs more memory to work well. XP can work on as little as 256MB, but Windows' 7 will struggle with less than a gig (in fact, the 32 bit version won't even let you install the OS if you got less than 512 MB).