Well for starters, committment. VMware is committed to virtualization. Microsoft flip-flops, their into it, then they're not, then its going to be in Longhorn, maybe. Typical FUD tactics.
Next, innivation. Microsoft has innovatted absolutely nothing in the virtualization market. So far, they have bought Connectix, rebranded the product, and my favorite, removed/reduced the functionality of the product. Why would they take features away?? Probably because theres no committment from their end.
Add on prodcuts, utilities, consultants, etc. There are a lot of really good add-ons for VMware, no so much for MS VS. There are a lot of good VMware consultants that understand virtualization as a whole, not just the MS software stack.
Personal beneifts. VMware is a much more impressive resume item then MS VS and will take you farther when looking for your next job.
VMTN. With VMware you have an entire community that lives this stuff and are always willing to help out. Lot of good people and info in one place.
Performance. VMware has had 7 years to perfect their hypervisor. MS has had troubles with theirs, and MS never been know for the "blazing speed" of any of their products.
Patch Tuesday. Great its patch Tuesday, that means my host has to be updated also. Let me shut down every VM, patch my host, and "Oh shi?!!", damn patch broke my virtualization layer, can't turn my VMs on. I'll just unistall the patch. No, its a MS patch, can't uninstall. Now what???? Damn patch Tueesday.
Microsoft solution to application troubleshooting. Install the application on a physical server and duplicate the problem, then we will believe it is real. Otherwise go away, no help for you.
Until last year, Microsoft itself used VMware. Thats how a support rep had quick access to Win98, W2k, W2k3, Exchange server, etc. Because all virtual and at their finger tips. It wasn't until it became "public knowledge" that MS used VMware that they announced "new and improved support capabilites using MS VS", blah blah blah.
Roadmap. Virtual Server, now its free, now its not, now its free again, now its off market now back, no wait, now going to be part of next OS, maybe. Danger, curves ahead.
For me its a matter of committment and innovation. I want a vendor that in this market for the long hual, not because its the new buzz word. I want a vendor that leads the way in innovation, not one that just copies what the leader does. And I like to hang with the leader. Why would I want to hang with a distant 4th place palyer?
And most important, esXpress only runs on vMware, not MS.
Well, my 2 cents on that subject.
