Dual Boot vs VM vs Wine?


 
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Special Forums Windows & DOS: Issues & Discussions Dual Boot vs VM vs Wine?
# 1  
Old 11-04-2015
Tools Dual Boot vs VM vs Wine?

Getting a new (for me) lappy, and I was wondering about the experiences of linux users here (direct me to a different forum if necessary, please. RTFMs also welcome) w/r/t linux and win applications.

Since I have an unused Win 7 Pro install kit, and I really need to run a couple of win applications, which method of installation have you had the most success with:

1. Dual boot linux and Win 7 pro
2. Install linux and build a Win VM
3. Stick with wine, it's much better than it used to be.

I'm inclined to use the vm. I'd like to hear your opinions.

Notes: Quadcore Thinkpad W510, 380GB disk 8GB ram.
I MUST keep access to Quicken and TurboTax, in spite of the improvements of the linux equivalents.

I haven't used wine in recent years, but was dissatisfied with it's performance when I did use it.

So, what are your opinions? I'm sure you have them - I've been lurking around here for a time.

Move this (or tell me to move it) if this is not the appropriate forum, please.
# 2  
Old 11-19-2015
I'm surprised that you've had no responses yet so let's get the ball rolling.

If you just want the ability to run guest operating systems on your lappy using a product that's not difficult to learn, install and use, then I'd be looking at VirtualBox.
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# 3  
Old 11-19-2015
I recommend a VM with either Windows or Linux as a host. This allows you to have access to both O/S 's (unlike dual booting).
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# 4  
Old 11-19-2015
1. Dual Boot

Really no restrictions, however Microsoft has been known to have service packs that require that Microsoft own the boot record in order to be applied (a patch in Windows 7 for example).

2. VM

OS in the VM works, but not with the same resource profile as native. In particular gaming performance for example if the VM is a Windows VM. There are other resources and peripherals that may not be virtualized or virtualized well enough to perform or perform adequately.

3. Wine

Only some software works with Wine. And wine releases aren't always in your favor, sometimes things do regress. In many (but not all) cases, software under wine will be as fast as native OS (even faster in many cases). Not all resources are properly handed in Wine.

If you're strictly a Linux gamer, #2 will not be as big of an issue. I use Steam on my Linux host even. I ignore the Windows-only games (I've never used my Steam account from a Windows host).
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# 5  
Old 05-17-2016
Agree with them if your just gonna run simple application software better have an VM. Good advantage is you have both OS running at one screen. Disadvantage would be if your laptop hardware is not good enough you will experience slowness running VM (well in my case).
# 6  
Old 05-17-2016
Quote:
Originally Posted by cjcox
1. Dual Boot

Really no restrictions, however Microsoft has been known to have service packs that require that Microsoft own the boot record in order to be applied (a patch in Windows 7 for example).
I got bit by one of those, it's a serious pain.
# 7  
Old 05-17-2016
I prefer booting off a different hard drive for each OS these days and currently use OSX and my primary unix desktop and boot off a micro SC card when I want another OS (and my backup OSX system is on a micro SD card) ... just seems easier to me... but VMWARE, etc are more sexy and I am sure better; but I just find having OS on different disks / media and booting as required easier for me....
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