Renting Virtual Machines for testing

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.

From serverfault Michael Pliskin

• 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.

  Michael Pliskin : Well that doesn't work really well for a small startup company - but thanks for the answer!

  TomTom : Why not? Small startup = Bizspark = MSDN for 100 USD for three years...? http://www.microsoft.com/BizSpark/ - Microsoft REALLY throws that stuff away to get it out. Even if not - the price of a MSDN is ridiculously low.

  Michael Pliskin : Not because of pricing but mostly because of configuration/setting up effort - I'd rather outsource the duty of setting up and keep all that stuff running rather than do it myself. But agree, not that expensive.

  TomTom : 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.

  Michael Pliskin : Yes and no. When you're building say a web app or an Adobe AIR desktop app like I am doing, you need quite a few very standard options: different windows plus different browsers, totalling maybe in 15-20 combinations maximum - and that's for everyone. Of course if you're building a large native windows application, it's all different, I agree - but at least for web applications it's all manageable I think.

  TomTom : Fo browsers you dont need virtual desktops... you need browsers. Check: http://browsershots.org/ and.... http://www.spoon.net/browsers/ for a method to run all browsers on one computer without complete virualization and without desktop ;)

  Chris S : 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.
  From TomTom

• 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.

  Michael Pliskin : Thanks for the pointer! I will try them out, I only wish they had a better website - the current one is absolutely terrible.
  From matpol

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

  From $pageUsers[$post.author].name

• For cross-browser or multiple browser testing, look at:

  • LitmusApp (sponsor DocType of the LoJ)
  • BrowserShots (free)
  • BrowserLab (adobe)
  • as well a few other solutions.
  Michael Pliskin : Thanks a lot for the tips, I need this too - extremely helpful!
  From mctylr

• 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.

  Michael Pliskin : 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.
  From Sam Cogan