Virtualization

[amend]

After searching these forums and the web, it appears that the only Thinkpad series that can use hardware-assisted virtualization (HVM or VT) is the T60 series, because it is the only one to offer an option in the bios to turn it on-- the cpus themselves do support virtualization on other machines.

First question: Is this really correct?
Second question: Does anyone know it there are any plans to add support to other models, like the z61 series?

I am planning to purchase a notebook soon, and was leaning toward the z61 series (for the added firewire port, card reader, and wide screen), but virtualization is an important feature to me, so I am again considering the T60.

Btw, this is not a Lenovo specific problem, many vendors disable the activation of virtualization for Intel processors, including HP which does not offer a notebook with the option to switch it on.

[marlinspike]

I don't know the answer to your question, though I did see the option for it in the T60 BIOS (turned off from the factory). I was hoping you could answer a question for me though: what does it do and should I turn it on?

[amend]

To answer your question:
what does it do and should I turn it on?

The virtualization bios setting turns on the Core-2 Duo processor's ability to use hardware to assist in the creation of virtual machines. Virtual machines allow one to run multiple instances of operating systems where each operating system thinks it is running on its own hardware. So for example, if one wanted to run Linux and Windows simultaneously on the same machine, one can do this using Virtual Machines.

It still is necessary to have some software to share the resource among the virtual machines. At the moment, Xen (free), VMware (some free versions) and Parallels can act in this manner (hypervisors).


So, getting back to your question. if you are interested in running multiple OS's or several instances of the same OS, you can turn on the virtualization Bios setting.

The reason it is such a useful feature is that the hardware assistance of the processor can make the virtual machines much faster than if pure software emulation is used. Also, it is not necessary to modify the OS. So if one wants to run Windows XP, one doesn't need to modify the source code -- something Microsoft is unlikely to allow an end user to do.

[felixdv]

You're talking about the Core 2 duo's here, but is there someone who can confirm such an option in the BIOS on previous models? (Core Duo, for example T2500)
They should have Intel VT too.

[coolsilicon]

felixdv,
I'm using that feature on my T60 and it is utilized by VPC 2007 (Beta). You can turn HV on or off within the BIOS.