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I am looking for renting virtual machines for testing my desktop software. In particular, I am interested in all modern Windows client versions (XP no SP, SP1, SP2, SP3, Vista with/without SP1/2, Windows 7), also a couple of Linux distros and of course a MacOS X - but that's hardly possible. There are plenty of virtual servers for rent but they're all running Windows Servers of different kinds, and I need XP's and Vista's. Of course I can do that locally but this requires building the infrastructure and buying licenses, which takes time & money. So any pointers here?

EDIT: Found VMBed.com but they only offer XP and not Vistas - but already better than nothing.

EDIT2: Was pointed to BrowserCam - will try them out and post here, for now they look promising but a very ugly website.

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For testing browsers you can use the browsercam service (http://www.browsercam.com/Default2.aspx)

This might allow you to do the other testing you require too using their remote access option.

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Thanks for the pointer! I will try them out, I only wish they had a better website - the current one is absolutely terrible. – Michael Pliskin Mar 9 '10 at 14:07
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Nope, sorry. Point is - most people HAVE the infrastructure and do not need any licenses (AS: using MSDN is cheaper than buying things anyway, and MSDN has all the licenses for testing anyway).

I know of no shop tha trents out short term virtual machines for testing and keeps a larger variance of them ready in different patch states (which is what you would need).

I suggest you get a local server... * AMD based (all support hyper-v) * 16gb RAM (cheap, fits on a micro-atx board)

Install Server 2008 R2 on it, Hyper-V, some large dist and use your MSDN licenses.

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Well that doesn't work really well for a small startup company - but thanks for the answer! – Michael Pliskin Mar 9 '10 at 13:31
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Why not? Small startup = Bizspark = MSDN for 100 USD for three years...? microsoft.com/BizSpark - Microsoft REALLY throws that stuff away to get it out. Even if not - the price of a MSDN is ridiculously low. – TomTom Mar 9 '10 at 13:33
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That wont work. See - the poblem is that you need a VERY specific envirnoment. Lots of prepared machines in specific patch states. Plus the capability to set up your own when a customer calls with a problem. This is a lot of overhead unless you can cut it down, and only you can do that. I have such a small library for my own development. There is no market because basically all dev shops have different requirements and do maintain their own infrastructure. – TomTom Mar 9 '10 at 13:42
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Fo browsers you dont need virtual desktops... you need browsers. Check: browsershots.org and.... spoon.net/browsers for a method to run all browsers on one computer without complete virualization and without desktop ;) – TomTom Mar 9 '10 at 13:53
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You might only need 15 to 20 machines, but the configuratios are very specific. What you're asking for is 15 out of thousands of possible confirutaions. Finding a rentalshop that provides those thousands to choose from isn't going to happen. – Chris S♦ Mar 9 '10 at 13:59
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For cross-browser or multiple browser testing, look at:

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Thanks a lot for the tips, I need this too - extremely helpful! – Michael Pliskin Mar 9 '10 at 15:30
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The problem your going to have with getting VPS's with desktop OS, is that the providers will need to use SPLA licencing to lincennce the OS and I do not think it is possible to licence desktop OS's using SPLA.

I would suggest you get your self an MSDN subscription, purchase a mid range server, nothing fancy, with a load of RAM, install ESXi and setup a load of VM's that meet the spec you want. Yes you may have ot outlay more initially, but it will save you significant costs on VPS's on a monthly basis, and it means you have the setup there, ready to use when you want it.

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Thanks for the reply, of course custom server is a solution - just wanted something with zero up-front cost. Valid point about SPLA licensing though. – Michael Pliskin Mar 10 '10 at 8:16
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up vote 0 down vote

you can rent an unique 8/16gb VMWare ESXi-ready server and test whatever you want using virtual appliances and common used OSes.

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