by Matt Davis

I've been a drone-like user and upgrader of Virtual PC since version 1.0, but about 6 months ago I dumped the emulation software for the real thing. No, I didn't switch to a PC, don't worry. Rather, I bought a US $300 (after rebates, including monitor) eMachines PC and a US $60 (after rebate -- note the now-reoccurring subtle hint?) D-Link Extreme-G wireless card from Best Buy, then downloaded Microsoft's own Remote Desktop Connection software (free... yet another hint). Put the wireless card into the PC, get it to find the Airport network (easy, but PC-confusing for a bit), go to your Mac, launch RDC, type in the IP address of the PC, set your connection prefs, and poof!! Your PC suddenly appears before your eyes on that Apple Cinema Display... full screen!

After years of wanting... complaining... wondering... hoping... that VP would some day be usable for my everyday needs, I finally can say I'm overjoyed to see it go. RDC is a dream piece of software that makes me smile, and scream at the same time. Smile, because I can finally have a quick, stable PC on my Mac, replete with full-screen display, full mouse and keyboard mapping, even PC Internet access -- everything, except millions of colors (too much to stream over the network at this point in time). Scream, because I added up how much money I've spent over the years on VP -- it's over five times what I've spent to get the RDC/PC setup running. Heck, I can even hook up to my office PC using Mac OS X's built-in VPN software, then RDC to my PC.

The whole experience reminded me of the first time I saw Timbuktu running on my Mac and I was able to control another Mac (this was many moons ago).

What's amazing to me is the amount of hype (and sales) VP still gets, when this little (less than a Mb) RDC software (from Microsoft, mind you) is free for the taking. Knowing that I don't have 2-3 Gigs of VP files on my Mac is an added bonus, but nothing will please those readers who are still disappointed with VP7's speed more than seeing and using a real PC, with real speed and all of the features you'd expect, running on your Mac.

The kicker for me was discovering that I can print from my RDC-running PC apps straight to all my wireless, networked printers... with the click of a button. I can even share my Mac hard drives (not necessarily recommended outside your firewall) to the PC if I want to. One click, and the virtual printers are created instantly on the PC (and removed automatically on disconnect).

Save yourself from the pain and suffering. Go buy a cheap PC, hide it in the closet and use RDC to access it from your Mac. You'll be thanking Microsoft's Mac BU for existing once again!

http://www.macintouch.com/vpc7.html

NOTE:

"Connecting via Remote Desktop Client will only work with XP Pro or selected Windows server OSes:
• Windows XP Professional
• Windows Server 2003
• Windows 2000 Server
• Windows 2000 Advanced Server
• Windows 2000 Datacenter Server
• Windows NT® Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition

NT Pro or 2000 Pro won't do :-("

However on the Microsoft websitethere's this note
"The Remote Desktop Connection software is pre-installed with Windows XP. To run it, click Start, click All Programs, click Accessories, click Communications, and then click Remote Desktop Connection. This software package can also be found on the Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition product CDs and can be installed on any supported Windows platform. To install from the CD, insert the disc into the target machine's CD-ROM drive, select Perform Additional Tasks, and then click Install Remote Desktop Connection."

The Mac client is at
http://www.microsoft.com/mac/otherproducts/otherproducts.aspx?pid=remotedesktopclient

Microsoft - Virtual PC 7 w XP Pro is A$ 499.00, if you don't buy it as part of Microsoft Office 2004 Pro which is A$ 899.00

MACinations October 04