VirtualBox versus VMWare

[sdavmor]

Clayton wrote:
>>  What are the relative pluses and minuses of VirtualBox and VMWare in
>>  your opinion?  I use VMWare Workstation at the moment to run Windows
>>  XP on a Linux system.  What would I gain and what would I lose if I
>>  movesd to VirtualBox?  (I'd gain a bit of money at least!)
> 
> Plus points...
>  - there is an OpenSource Edition (OSE), so if you prefer to use only
> open source apps, that option is available.
>  - there are precompiled binaries available direct from VirtualBox
> that include more functionality
>  - the OSE is in the Ubuntu repositories
>  - the precompiled binaries install direct from DEB/RPM etc.  No
> fiddling like with VMWare.
>  - Seemless Mode is pretty cool (although also possible in VMWare)
>  - general setup and install of guest OSes is easier (personal opinion)
>  - it seems to have a smaller footprint on the system and runs faster
> as a result
>  - and probably the biggest plus in favor of VirtualBox.... it is
> easier to manage through kernel upgrades and does not need 3rd party
> patches to get it installed on a system with a kernel released after
> the VMWare release (like is required with Ubuntu 8.04)
> 
> Minus points
>  - getting USB to work takes a little fiddling - but it is well
> documented, and not so hard to do
>  - the OSE doesn't support USB or RDP (but the full version is
> available for free download from Sun)
>  - no equivalent to "VMWare Player"
>  - drag/drop from host to guest (like I can in VMWare) doesn't seem to
> work (for me) but shared folders fill that gap.
> 
> Overall, I just prefer VirtualBox to VMWare.  In the end, they both do
> the job as intended.. virtualisation.  If you don't have a license for
> VMWare, then VirtualBox is the way to go... if you already have a
> VMWare license... then I suppose it comes down to personal choice.
> 
> C.

Thanks Clayton.  I'm seriously contemplating VirtualBox so your points 
have clinched it for me.
-- 
Cheers,
SDM -- a 21st century schizoid man
Systems Theory internet music project links:
official site <www.systemstheory.net>
MySpace MP3s <www.myspace.com/systemstheory>
CDBaby <www.cdbaby.com/systemstheory>
"Soundtracks For Imaginary Movies" CD released Dec 2004
"Codetalkers" CD now available for free download at:
<www.mikedickson.org.uk/codetalkers>
NP: nothing