Extending The Life of Hardware Via XP Virtualization

Virtualization has been a hot topic - for good reasons. It consolidates multiple machines (servers)  into one - thereby saving energy, space, and maintenance. But if you are not a data warehouse provider, why should you care? How can average consumers benefit from virtualization?

I am such a person - an average consumer. In my possession are perfectly working devices - namely a slick thin Canon scanner, and very cool OLED Sony mp3 player. As far as I know, the slim Canon scanner is no longer in production. Same goes for the Sony OLED mp3 player. These were bought about 5 years ago and have worked flawlessly. A great testament to excellent engineering, manufacturing, and design.

My laptop was upgraded to Windows 7 (Enterprise 64-bit). But my devices no longer worked. I tried installing the application and drivers for the scanner and mp3 player, but my devices were not recognized. After many months of research, I found out that Microsoft included XP virtualization in Windows 7 Enterprise. After installation, my dead dust-collecting devices came to life!

As a normal consumer, virtualization saved me by:

1.  $100 : Sony OLED cigar shaped mp3 player (can change volume, track, and folder with just one hand)
2.   $80  : Canon Lide scanner (very slim, stands up right, USB powered)
3.  $50   : PDA (don't laugh)
4.  $20   : Time and frustration of porting old data and music (Sony had a ATARC format)
5.    $5   : The environment : I reuse my hardware, which means it does not go to the landfill

"XP Mode" virtualization is available in Window 7 professional. $200
Most of us have Windows Home Premium, but does not include "XP Mode". $120


   ROI of virtualization = $255/($200-$120) =  318%