Question : Memory useage in VMWare - configuration / useage advice?

I'm trialling VMWare worksation edition on y Windows Vista laptop currently with 2GB memory.
I have an instasnce of Windows XP running in the  virtual environemnt which currently have 256mb allocated as memory (was the recommended amount).

Related questions
1) 256mb seems a small amount - is this actually the equilvelant of actually running Windows XP PRo with 256 mb on a PC or is it slighlty different as virtual?

2) When I add memory to my virtual environment - does it detract from the availble memry on my Vista laptop?

3) IF I upgrade my laptop to 4GB, it will only recognise about 3-3.5GB I believe because it is 32 bit. The memory that is left over, can VMWare use that memory instead? Does that memory get utilised at all (perhaps as some kind of swap space) or is it just waster.

Thanks for any input.

Answer : Memory useage in VMWare - configuration / useage advice?

1. This is the minimum recommended, usually just enough for the OS. So it would depend on what apps you will be running inside the Vmware session. Likkely you will need more. Plus, there there is the Host operating system ram that is needed to maintain the virtual session.
VMWare Up to 512MB,  Host RAM Up to 54MB
VMware Up to 1000MB, Host RAM Up to 62MB

2.) Yes

3.) No, it will be a 'waster'. VMware Workstation relies on the Host OS to tell it how much ram is available. Preferences settings are based on that.
Please note that most of the chipsets used on entry level laptops can handle 2gb of RAM - so it depends on which one you have . Then you have to minus how much is used for overhead by the shared video cards and bios type things. Windows reports what is available to it, service pack 1 will show the total installed minus the other stuff.