When a traditional PC user takes his or her first glance at the new Apple iPad: two questions might come to mind: first, "is that design going to work?" and second -- "do I have to use Mac OS X?"

Thanks to a company called Citrix Systems, the resounding answer, it would appear, is 'no'. According to reports, the company will be bringing a version of Windows 7 to the Apple iPad by route of virtual installation when the much-anticipated device is released later this spring.

iPad Display, Resolution Ideal for Virtual Win7

In a blog post earlier this week, Citrix Systems' vice president of Community and Solutions Development Chris Fleck noted that users of either Citrix's desktop virtualization platforms XenDesktop or XenApp will have the option of using Windows 7 on the iPad upon the latter's release. (Source: techtree.com)

"It turns out [that] the 9.7-inch display on the iPad, with a 1024x768[-pixel] screen resolution, works great for a full [virtual desktop infrastructure] XenDesktop," Fleck noted in his blog.

The most surprising news is that users of the virtualization software and Windows 7 will be able to run multiple applications at the same time -- a real concern for the iPad. In addition, Fleck says just about any typical Windows application will be available, running "unmodified and securely in the data center." (Source: cnet.com)

Direct Installation Not Available

However, fans of Windows 7 who have an extra license sitting around shouldn't think they'll be able to just directly install the popular operating system once the iPad arrives. That's simply not possible. Instead, the software offered by Citrix is designed so that Windows runs from a server, a process that allows the operating system to be visible on the iPad -- hence the term "virtualization".

Still, Fleck's convinced the option will make PC users happy and the iPad all that much more attractive to consumers. "The iPad looks to be an ideal end-point device that can empower users to be productive wherever they are," Fleck noted, adding "and IT will be able to safely deliver company-hosted virtual desktops and apps without worry."