Comments on: Run Windows 7 on an iPad: Cloud Desktops

By: J.a. Méndez

J.a. Méndez — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:06:00 +0000

I like CloudOn for working with Word and Excel files; and they integrates very smoothly with my DropBox as well.

By: Joe Guma

Joe Guma — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:44:52 +0000

There are many ways you can slice and dice your comments and technically Derek you may be right to the point but look at this from this perspective. Vmware View Client supports PCoIP for iPod while there is no such support Mac, what does this tell you? You are looking at the future of the computing, that’s right. Sooner or later you will place your PC in the dumpster and tablet will become your primary computing device. So you may get hanged here and there on small details but reality is, we are coming full cycle and it started with mainframe. Btw, yes you can run Apple software legally on non apple hardware, it’s called Mac OS X Server. Wmware and VirtualBox among others support it right out of the box.

By: Derek Smith

Derek Smith — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:35:17 +0000

Another minor, but significant point: per the terms of Apple’s MAC EULA, you cannot run Apple based software on non-Apple branded hardware. Hence, you cannot run Apple software on PCs as you claim in the blog.

You can however, use a PC as a terminal services client. This is a standard Unix service, but the software must operate on the MAC.

There is a way to deliver a “Mac desktop in the cloud”. Solution is called OPUS from Orchard Parc, and runs on enterprise class virtual infrastructure but still requires a Mac for local execution of apps from either Apple or Windows (Linux too). Solves the problems associated with VDI – significant capital and operating expenses to deploy and support.

By: Renee Schmidt

Renee Schmidt — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:34:32 +0000

I mean the managed hosting provider.

By: Derek Smith

Derek Smith — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:29:30 +0000

The VDI vendor? By VDI vendor do you mean VMware Citrix Microsoft, or the managed service provider?

Microsoft does not provide licences for “rent”. The licences are in the name of the user/corporation that uses the software.

This has a HUGE impact on the cost model of any VDI based solution regardless if it is to a thin client, thick client or tablet device. Many companies are expecting to be able to reduce their Microsoft bill with BYOC, but Microsoft has changed their license models to account for this. Companies are responsible for accurately reporting their license use, and risk legal action or non-conformance to regulatory statutes (i.e. SARBOX if publicly traded on US equity exchanges) if they under report.

By: Renee Schmidt

Renee Schmidt — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:46:34 +0000

What I mean to say is the end-user is not responsible for the purchase of licensing; that is the responsibility of the VDI vendor.

By: Derek Smith

Derek Smith — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 18:39:10 +0000

Hmmm… you may wish to re-think this statement:

“Software runs in the cloud, no need to buy per workstation licensing (ex: Windows, Office, Adobe, etc.”

Microsoft requires a licence for every device from which its software is accessed, whether or not it runs locally or in the cloud. And that includes personally owned devices that are purchased by the user (BYOC anyone?) but used at work. The company is responsible for both the licence and the software assurance as soon as the user enters the corporate premises. The company is responsible to report, licence and pay for support for this type of use. Failure to do so would mean that a publicly traded firm would incur a Sarbanes Oxley violation. Not good.

So, if a client has a thin client or pc at the office, and a thin client at home, an IPad, and possibly a laptop (not all that unusual a mix) Microsoft demands four device licences (assumes the portable devices are used at work).

One other point: the cost per user for server hosted virtual infrastructure is extremely high -servers, network and storage, plus software costs from the VDI vendors plus additional Microsoft licences.

There are better alternatives.

All the best