Connectix Released Virtual PC v4.0

yesterday as a downloadable upgrade for $79. CD editions with different operating systems will be released over the next five weeks. According to Connectix version 4 has improved performance, has support for larger and expandable hard disk images, has an easier user interface and runs multiple operating systems, two at the same time.

Hands-On Test: We downloaded a copy yesterday afternoon and installation went without a hitch. A new serial number comes with the download but the installer appears to check hard drives for a prior version anyway. From appearance alone, we can't say that VirtualPC v4.0 runs Windows 95 or 98 faster than version 3.0x. If there is a speed difference, it is not readily noticeable in general use. We tried converting one of our disk images (Win98) from a fixed size (260 MB) to an expandable drive to allow installation of Internet Explorer 5.5. It didn't appear to work as IE 5.5 failed to install from a lack a disk space. Then we converted it back to a fixed size drive and tried to expand it manually from 260 MB to 511 MB. But after confirming it was larger via Get Info, Win98 failed to recognize that it was larger until we compressed the drive and then it turned out to be 599 MB instead of 511 MB! We like the new user interface and agree that it is an improved. We also like being able to launch either or both of our Win95 and Win98 disk images.