What is Windows XP Mode for T410?

I am looking at the lenovo website for a Thinkpad T410.

In its configuration, I see this:

-----
Windows XP Mode
None [add $0.00]

Microsoft Windows 7 XP Mode - English
-----

What is this? I am choosing

Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64

Thanks!

 

It's useless. With windows 7 professional or ultimate you get the ability (from microsoft) to run windows xp in virtual mode from within windows.
To be honest, I would instead opt for windows 7 professional with the xp restore dvd (it's also just $0.00 ). That way you can run a true, native xp instead of a virtualized one. XP mode is also based off of virtual pc. IMHO, I think that virtual pc is amongst the worst for virtual machines.

 

Roger, thanks for your input.

Have a great weekend!

 

I was trying to figure out why Lenovo charges for Windows XP mode (especially $179). It was my understanding that it was included with Windows 7 Professional. In any case, if you need to run XP, it's best to run it in Virtual Box. Just download Virtual Box, install it, install Windows XP, and you're good to go. If you don't have a copy of XP, you can pick up a genuine copy on ebay dirt cheap.

 

I have to disagree though, respectfully. Nothing beats running it natively. I would recommend a native installation unless it's absolutely necessary to use it in a virtual environment.
I tested VMs quite a bit there for awhile. I tried vmware, parallels, virtualbox and virtual pc. For me atleast, virtualbox and virtual pc were the worst, they performed rather poorly. The mouse was especially laggy in virtual pc. Parallels was ok but I found vmware to run the best, though it still left much to be desired. In the end I found running virtually just an unpleasant experience (this was with a core i5, 4GB RAM, and Intel SSD).
In any case it's up to the OP what he wants to do, that's just my (strong) advice.

 

There are subtle tweaks in each of the virtualization products that make a dramatic difference in performance.

I don't run MSFT Virtual PC and the XP mode environment because it's x86 only. I prefer VMWare Workstation on Windows 7 but Sun VirtualBox is hard to beat for free.

I spend the vast majority of my time in Hyper-V or ESX.

Roger is right, native rulz all. Too bad you can't do a boot from VHD with WinXP.

 

What he said about VMware. XP mode runs like it's powered by a Pentium 2.

 

My customer currently still uses Windows XP and I hope to mimic that environment. But they will move to Windows 7 in 4 months.

By choosing the Windows XP mode...

1. Does it mean that XP will also be installed on my computer?

2. Can I switch to run the same application by switching between Windows 7 and Windows XP mode? Without reconfig an app? Have to restart the machine for the switch?

3. Do I have to install other software in order to run XP applications?

4. Can I un-install Windows XP mode easily any time I want?

5. If I have the Windows xp mode installed but not use it, does the system performance get afftected any way?

Thanks so much for any input!

Best.

 

"1. Does it mean that XP will also be installed on my computer?"

Yes, but in the context of a virtual machine which 'emulates' XP.

2. Can I switch to run the same application by switching between Windows 7 and Windows XP mode? Without reconfig an app? Have to restart the machine for the switch?

No. They aren't available to each other.

3. Do I have to install other software in order to run XP applications?

Other than the virtual machine software-no.

4. Can I un-install Windows XP mode easily any time I want?

Yes. It's in one large file. All you have to do is delete the file.

5. If I have the Windows xp mode installed but not use it, does the system performance get afftected any way?

No, other than disk space.

Renee