This is awesome news.  You can now download pre-configured Virtual Machines  legally for testing, straight from the Microsoft Web Site — similar to the VMware virtual appliances.  There are 4 VMs posted so far:

Pretty cool huh?  A big thankyou to all the wonderful people in the Microsoft Virtualization Team (especially the mysterious TB) for making Virtualization not only more accessible but a real enabler!

Thanks to John and Ben for the news, you find all the details on the TechNet VHD Test Drive web site and the Virtualization Business Technology Blog.

PS:  I’m downloading the R2 VHD as I blog this, it’ll take a while - so I’ll post back later with an update on my findings.