This is the first time, I did something “significantly” useful with Linux, blogging. I had many past experience installing Ubuntu and many times I find myself either lost with all the UNIX/Linux commands or there are nothing much I can do as most of my files are on Windows XP.
Now I’m happy to say that, I’m starting to love Ubuntu, especially their font rendering engine. Have to agree with my friend - the font rendering in Ubuntu is much better.
So, the reason why I went back to Ubuntu again, is because I found the right virtual machine software, VirtualBox, that overcome all the limitations I face previously with VirtualPC and VMWare.
The 5 main reasons why you should use VirtualBox:
- Mouse Integration - Nothing can beat the feeling of not having to search for your mouse when you switch OS and the cursor moving at different speeds.
- Share Folder - There might be third-party software out there, but this feature comes with VirtualBox. Simple installation and your Windows files are available on Linux. Nothing change except the OS.
- Super lightweight - Self-explaination. The smallest VM I ever seen.
- Free as in free beer - According to Andrew Min, VMware has free version but it’s slower compared to it’s professional edition. Thus, the VirtualBox takes the crown. (
Needless to say, VirtualPC ain’t free, my mistake. it’s free) - Easy and Fast - It takes me less than 30 mins to download, install and setup everything.
If you are still considering switching, maybe you should give this VM a try. I felt VirtualBox has everything to overcome the limitations of having multiple OSes. (I love the Linux font rendering engine, it makes blogging much better, do give it a try)
Update: This is merely my experience and my opinion after using both VMware and VirtualBox. Nonetheless, I acknowledge the lack of technical comparison here. So feel free to give it a try and do your own comparisons. Cheers.
72 Responses to “5 reasons why you should use VirtualBox, instead of VirtualPC or VMware”
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Pages: [8] 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 » Show All
May 15th, 2008 at 2:39 am
VirtualBox and VirtualPC are both made by Innotek, good for testing stuff os, software, runnning win&Lin.
For server/server-client piloting or testing, a server product would be better (everything runs as services, you can configure machines to auto start etc.)
VMware products you can use different versions for different needs eg.
Player - preconfigure os and software to someone and give it as a whole package. Lighter and free
(WKS - multiple snashots) not so much use anymore. (not free)
Server (”old gsx”)- for runing test (servers) for longer periods (better linux beneath, less reboots)
This (v.2b2) is asuperior product that you manage as good remotly as localy with a browser. Could be also used in production as long as you don’t violate the license.
Esx - for production (HA, DRS, vmfs, san boot, Networking….)
One of the great things is that you can use the images between different versions.
The minus with vmware is the prices of licenses (the “not free” ones).
VMware is defacto and there is areason why
I used all of the hypervizors (or virtualisation softwares) discussed here and they are all usable.
Vmware is the one that I started with (the only one in this market) in the beginign of the millenium. And in production i would not recomend anything elese (exept offcourse for testing).
May 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Maybe you can try allocate more resources like memory to run it.