Product Reviews

Apple grabbed quite a few headlines recently with the launch of its ultra-compact Mac Mini. The company is hoping that the Mini's compact price will attract PC users to buy a Mac for the first time.

There are Mac versions of most of the major Windows applications, such as Microsoft Word and Excel, so it's not actually that difficult to switch to a Mac. However, there may be times when you need to run a particular program that is Windows only.

That's where Virtual PC comes in. Originally developed by Connectix but now owned by Microsoft, Virtual PC emulates the workings

There was a huge problem with the last version of Virtual PC because it wouldn't run on the new G5 processor that Apple uses in many of its latest products. So the number one priority for Virtual PC 7 was to make sure that it runs on both G5 Macs and on cheaper Macs (such as the Mini) that use the older G4 processor. That's been done, and the program now runs quite happily on all recent Macs.

The improved features include a fast save option, which allows you to shut down Windows instantly and switch back to working in your main Mac programs. Printing features have been improved too, making it easier to print documents from Windows programs on your Mac printer.

Running Windows software under emulation will always be a lot slower than running it on a proper PC. Virtual PC is a good way of providing Windows compatibility and easing the pain of making the switch from PC to Mac. However, it's worth considering that you can buy a good PC for £500, which makes a lot more financial sense in the long run. This is strictly for die-hard Mac fans who don't want to make the change to a PC.