The best VM is VMware Workstation but it is expensive. I use it and find it
extremely useful.
As most have already said, if you want freeware then you could go fro
VirtualPC 2007 or Virtual box. VirtualPC 2007 doesn't have USB support, but
I believe Virtual box does; of course VMware Workstation does also.
Virtual Machine software is a God send if you don't have multiple machines
in which to test operating systems and software on; however, they are 'only'
virtual machines, don't expect an operating system to run as it would on a
physical machine because it won't. To do its job it relies upon 'virtual'
drivers which represent the basic drivers available.
You are running Vista so you are familiar with Aero. Running Vista or
Windows 7 for that matter on a VM doesn't allow the use of Aero, simply
because of the virtual video drivers it uses, therefore you may be running
Windows 7 ultimate, but you will be getting a Windows 7 Home display. Now if
this doesn't bother you then VM is the way to go. If it does then my
suggestion is a dual boot scenario. I currently dual boot Vista Ultimate
with Windows 7 Ultimate. My VM is used to run Windows XP Professional.
--
--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience
Web:
http://www.winuser.co.uk
Web:
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web:
http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web:
http://www.silversurfer-guide.com
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