Living with Windows 7: Part 3
Monday, February 23, 2009 by Frogboy | Discussion: Personal Computing
Since 2001, when Windows XP shipped, most users have hovered between 1 and 2 gigabytes of memory. That’s because 32-bit Windows really can’t use more than 2 gigs (technically 3 gigs).
With 64-bit Windows, however, there’s no real limit any time soon. I predict that within the next couple of years you’ll see 16GB machines become pretty common and when that happens, lots of interesting things will start to happen again for PCs.
One interesting thing will be virtual machines.
Running Windows XP within Windows 7 has a lot of utility to it as a developer but for most users, it’s largely meaningless. That will change as applications themselves start to be able to specify the conditions in which they run under.
One of the things that has held Windows back has been backwards compatibility. But virtualization largely eliminates that issue because you could simply have programs run in their own VM.
It’s a real shame that Microsoft is even making Windows 7 in a 32-bit form because it just delays the migration to 64-bit computing. The reason this is important is almost totally based on RAM. This sort of virtualization isn’t cheap when it comes to RAM usage. But virtualization will free Windows to go in many different directions at once. It’s the next big thing.
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Reply #22 Thursday, February 26, 2009 2:21 AM
Rather then focusing on virtual machines, i think if i had a super computer, i'll rather have a virtual experience with the PC, as much as possible i guess..
appart from movies like minority report, i think a super cool Desktop interface would be nice. One that's virtual and 3D.
Last time the PC's can't do virtual desktops that smoothly is largely due to lack of CPU and Graphics processing power. Now with the abundant in supply of raw power of both CPU and Graphics + the insane amount of ram available. Why not make a 3D gui desktop that's cool yet user friendly.
Reply #23 Thursday, February 26, 2009 10:07 PM
I'm fully for supporting older software/OS through virtulization but the biggest problem I've run across has been the virtualized video card. Typically they are based on older hardware that dosen't support much in the way of 3D and effects. This isn't a problem until you start looking at somewhat newer games. Lots of the old school ones shouldn't be much of a problem though.
I haven't tried VirtualBox but with the kudos its getting above I think I'll have to - Thanks! 
Reply #25 Thursday, June 18, 2009 5:10 PM
What virtualization really does is removes any incentive to run windows on windows? Why do it? There are other, cheaper options-- and since it's only being virtualized anyways-- why pay extra to do it? Does Windows virtualize Windows better than other Operating Systems? This has never made any sense to me--
Where's WinFS?
How about a DirectX that's Direct again...?
Nope-- same BS... different name.
Congratulations, you're all victims of the mojave experiment.
Dr.Gonzo
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Reply #21 Tuesday, February 24, 2009 7:53 AM
Thanks zubaz. I'll have to check it out. I'll start with an ancient XP install to test it.