So the “i” series processors (i3, i5, i7 & i9) have been around a while now, meaning we all know what the options are, right? No. Well at least we know that, say i5s are slower than i7s, right? Erm, no, don’t be hasty now!
Before we start we should be clear that the “i” moniker, followed by it’s relevant number should be understood as a “category” of processor, rather than necessarily indicating performace level.
To try and quantify all this naughtiness I’ve taken all Intel’s public data and done some VERY simple analysis on it (Only because I couldn’t find it anywhere else!)
My (highly subjective) results can be viewed in: PDF, XLS, XLSX or ODS format.
And are summarised in the image below (Click on it for the full size copy);
Intel i Series CPUs Table, Inc. Performance
Also see the following useful links / resources;
Intel’s own tool to help you choose which processor to buy / specify!
Windows Virtual PC Homepage
Setup Virtual PC / Machine & XP Mode in Windows 7
Copying Windows 7 Virtual Machines
Disk Differencing in Virtual PC
Networking Summary for Virtual PC;
You only have a couple of options for giving your Virtual Machine access to networks, to configure these, fully shut down your Virtual Machine and then right click on it from the Virtual PC window, select “Settings”, and then click on “Networking” and select as required;
1. Not connected: No connection to any network allowed.
2. Internal network: Can only network with other Virtual Machines on the same host.
3. Shared networking: Will NAT behind your own machine (i.e. will be on it’s own subnet)
4. Adapter List: Select the adapter you would like to piggy back. (i.e. it will access networks in exactly the same way \ at the same level as the host does with that networking device / driver).
Running other OSes in Windows 7
Virtual PC is excellent for running any flavour of Microsoft OS, desktop or server, however it is not as good for running non-Microsoft OSes. One of the best ways of doing this is to grab VirtualBox. It’s Open Source, so no cost regardless of role or level, and it’s got a solid community supporting it.
