Virtual Box, VmWare Fusion or Parallels??????

[billb]

I've been thinking about installing Windows-8
on the mini when it becomes available. I'm
sure I'll use Bootcamp however I'd like to
give virtualization another try. Virtualized
OS's ran waaaaaay to slow on the previous
mini also I was using Parallels and things
NEVER went smoothly before, during or
after the Windows install. Because of that
I'll avoid Parallels like the plague.

My question is, do I buy VMWare Fusion
or use the FREE Virtual Box? I know what
your going to say, use the FREE Virtual Box
first and if it doesn't work out then buy
VMWare Fusion. Well, I'd rather not experiment,
I'm tired of being a guinea pig.

So, does anyone have experience with a current
version of VMWare Fusion as well as Virtual Box?
Which do you prefer and why? Thanks!
_________________
2011 Mac mini 2.7 GHz i7 with
16GB RAM, Samsung 512GB SSD
MacBook AIR 11 Inch
Mac mini, Model 1.1, 2.33 GHz C2D Proc
20" iMac G4 PPC

[saul]

Windows 8 by definition is being a guinea pig. There's no getting around that.

What are you going to use Windows for? If gaming then virtualization is not going to do it for you.

I've been using VirtualBox for couple years to run Microsoft Money and little else. Works fine. I played with Parallels and gave up because I didn't like the integration.

[billb]

On rare occasion I need to us a few Programs
that only run under Windows. I'm tired of having
to maintain an old Windows XP Laptop. My original
6 year old laptop died so I replaced it with a 4 year
old XP Laptop.

With Virtualization I won't need two Box's and two
Display's and two whatever's. Just one newish Mac
and whatever Windows OS is installed in Virtualization.

BTW, I don't Game at all. Also, what do you mean
Win-8 is a Guinea Pig? I realize its in BETA but that
shouldn't be to much longer.

What version of Virtual Box are you running and with
what version of Windows? THANKS!!!!
_________________
2011 Mac mini 2.7 GHz i7 with
16GB RAM, Samsung 512GB SSD
MacBook AIR 11 Inch
Mac mini, Model 1.1, 2.33 GHz C2D Proc
20" iMac G4 PPC

[Fox]

I use both Fusion 4.1 and VirtualBox, though mostly for Linux. I am also beta testing a new version of Fusion that has 3D acceleration. I have it on a 2011 Mac mini (cheapest model), and I made a virtual machine with Windows 8 beta. Seems to run reasonably, though I can't figure out what the Windows 8 beta is good for. One nice thing about Fusion (vs Parallels) is that you only have to buy one license and they let you legally put it on any machine you own and operate.

I don't find it any easier to set up a virtual machine in Fusion (or Parallels, which I owned a long time ago), than in VirtualBox, but the tools features in Fusion are more functional. The biggest difference is that with Fusion (or Parallels) you can drag and drop files to the PC from the Mac and vice verse. In VirtualBox, you have to do it by mounting the Mac HD on your virtual PC. No big deal, but the drag and drop is more convenient. I'm not sure, but I think that the paid products are faster as well.

You can try Fusion without paying for it. The evaluation copy works for 30 days.
_________________
Mini 1: 2.3 ghz Core i5; 8 gb RAM, Corsair 240gb SSD, 500 gb Seagate XT
Mini 2: 2.26 ghz Core 2 duo, 8 gb RAM, 500 gb Seagate
Also a Cube, 13" MacBook Air, 20" 2.66 ghz iMac & 11.6" Acer 1810TZ running Ubuntu, Mint & openSuse

[billb]

Thank you for your input! Thats true you can test out
Fusion for 30 days. When Win8 is released I'll have to
give virtualization a try, again. I had avoided Virtual Box
in the past because it didn't deal with anything attached
via USB very well, or at all. Its supposed to be better now.
I'll have to give both Fusion & VB a try.

Thanks again!
_________________
2011 Mac mini 2.7 GHz i7 with
16GB RAM, Samsung 512GB SSD
MacBook AIR 11 Inch
Mac mini, Model 1.1, 2.33 GHz C2D Proc
20" iMac G4 PPC

[Bluenose]

I've tried Virtual Box with the Windows beta - runs ok (Windows 8 interface sucks) - I hear what you are saying about the USB connectivity - I'm new to macs and don't really understand how to get the uSB's to work - I also can't get Windows 8 to run full screen on my monotor, this might be a resolution issue/restriction with the Win 8 beta I have.

On the whole it runs fine - I do have a 2.7GH i7 with 8 GB of Ram though.
_________________
2011 Mac Mini 2.7GHz i7 - 8GB Ram

[macmanmacman]

ok question do any of these application you run need high end graphic i.e games.

if not there is a way

Go and download wineskin it's free and runs tons of windows applications natively in mac os x snow lion and mountain lion beta

[billb]

A few years ago when I was trying to use
Virtualization software, USB connections
weren't supported consistently for the Guest
OS's with Parallels or VMWare Fusion. It was
hit or miss. Virtual Box at that time didn't
support USB for a Guest at all.

Its my understanding that USB support for
Guest OS's with Parallels & Fusion is very
good now. I can't find much on how reliable
USB support with Virtual Box is though. I
know Virtual Box is FREE but I still have no
interest in being a guinea pig any more.

Does anyone know how good Virtual Box's
USB support is for their Guest OS's?

Thanks!!!
_________________
2011 Mac mini 2.7 GHz i7 with
16GB RAM, Samsung 512GB SSD
MacBook AIR 11 Inch
Mac mini, Model 1.1, 2.33 GHz C2D Proc
20" iMac G4 PPC