Azure VM pricing is based on several factors, including VM series, region, operating system, usage duration, and additional features. Customers have the flexibility to choose between pay-as-you-go and reserved instance pricing models.
With pay-as-you-go pricing, users pay for VM usage on an hourly basis, making it ideal for short-term projects or unpredictable workloads. On the other hand, reserved instances offer discounted rates for committing to a one- or three-year term, providing cost savings for sustained workloads.

Creating a virtual machine (VM) involves the process of provisioning a virtualized instance of a computer system within a cloud environment. In platforms like Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS), users can initiate this process through intuitive interfaces or command-line tools.

To create a virtual machine, users typically start by selecting the desired VM configuration, including specifications such as CPU, memory, disk size, and operating system. They may also choose additional features like network settings, security configurations, and storage options.