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Kitchens Sync
Virtualization Shootout: VirtualBox 2 vs. VMWare Fusion 2
- 2008.11.25 - Tip Jar
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In my previous column, I reviewed the two major commercial virtualization products for the Mac, VMware Fusion and Parallels Desktop. After declaring Fusion the winner, I promised to bring a comparison between it and Sun's VirtualBox.
In this case, I could not declare a definite winner. Although both are virtualization solutions, each product is targeted towards entirely different computing segments.
Different Aims, Different Talents
For the purposes of this review, I found most direct comparisons completely pointless. VMware Fusion touts several very friendly consumer features - among them are automatic printer interfacing, a free one-year subscription to McAfee VirusScan Plus, and 3D graphics acceleration. Since these are qualities that appeal to the average consumer, this product is popular in that sector.
VirtualBox lacks all the above features, but it offers many features that are quite useful to another important sphere: server virtualization and other IT uses. Among these unique advantages are finely grained virtual hardware control, complete command line management of machines, headless remote desktop display modes, and easy virtual machine portability to Linux and Windows versions of the software.
This program excels in server roles: The virtual machines are designed to easily run hidden in the background of a remotely managed server while still allowing direct interface access through remote desktop protocols. In fact, the whole setup process can be remotely managed with no need to ever touch the target server.
I could easily see VirtualBox becoming a leading solution for server virtualization in the Mac world. However, due to the easy portability of the virtual machines, I doubt we will ever see it support Mac OS X Server itself: The license restrictions only allow Server to be virtualized on Apple hardware.
Win-Win Situation
Even though the two products are good at different things, they are both still fairly general purpose. Fusion can work in a server environment, and VirtualBox has enough user-friendliness to serve passably in a basic consumer environment. If you can afford the extra features of VMware Fusion and it's appropriate for your intended uses, go ahead and buy it, but if VirtualBox serves your needs, I highly recommend it.
After all, the price can't be beat. Plus, it's open-source, which
appeals to me greatly.
Further Reading
- VirtualBox: A Free, Open Source Way to Run Windows and Linux on Your Intel Mac, Alan Zisman, Mac2Windows, 2007.07.27
Purchase Links
- VMware Fusion 2, currently $62.99 shipped from Amazon.com
If you find Kevin's articles helpful, please consider making a donation to his tip jar.
Recent Columns by Kev Kitchens
- Mac OS X Server Shortcomings in the Enterprise, 08.17. For large organizations, the maximum number of servers, replication issues, limited database size, domain integration and high costs can keep Apple out.
- Apple Comes Through, Resolving Overheating iMac Problem, 06.10. After frustration with the local Apple Store, customer service came through by authorizing a repair - and then a replacement when the problem persisted.
- Apple Store Headaches over Fixing an Overheating iMac under Warranty, 04.08. The fan never seemed to run on this 8-month-old iMac, but it was getting hot and flaky. The problem was mixed messages from the staff of the local Apple Store.
- Snow Leopard and Windows 7 Put the Focus on Optimization, Not Feature Bloat, 03.09. "While there are some advances, the major focus for each new version centers on code optimization and other architectural improvements."
- More in the Kitchens Sync index.
Links for the Day
- Mac of the Day: Power Mac G5 Quad, Oct. 2005 - With two 2.5 GHz dual-core G5 CPUs, the G5 Quad was the most powerful PowerPC Mac ever and introduced PCI Express.
- Group of the Day: Mac Network deals with all aspects of Mac networking.
- November 21 in LEM history: 00: OS upgrades, downgrades - AltiVec vs. Pentium III - 01: Saved by the clones - Computer of the future - 02: Apple Education: Let's get to it - 03: Panther lets Macs and PCs work together, - Lombard SCSI bug - 05: 3 survivors from the 1970s - Real world battery life inadequate - Windows to Mac file transfer with Zip disks - $99 alternative to Microsoft Office - 06: Parallels 1.0 far more polished than beta
- Support Low End Mac
Recent Content on Low End Mac
- Apple's Tablet an End Run Beyond Netbooks, Frank Fox, Stop the Noiz, 11.20. Whatever Apple has planned will leverage existing technologies while going beyond what its competitors can offer.
- i5 iMac Benchmarked, Mac mini 'Shouldn't Be Overlooked', Twitter Client for Classic Mac OS, and More, Mac News Review, 11.20. Also why Apple leaves the low end to others, 10.6.2 fixes video playback problem in 27" iMac, 3D Leopard and Snow Leopard performance, and more.
- NASA Chemical Sensor for iPhone, Smartphone Death Match, iPhone Earrings, and More, Ian R Campbell, 11.20. Also mobile phone dangers, new apps, GPS solution for iPod touch, new iPod and iPhone cases, and more.
- Apple #4 in Reliability, Apple Tablet a Gadget for All?, HP's i7 Notebook Outdoes Mac Rivals, and More, The 'Book Review, 11.20. Also Flash 10.1 improves video on Hackintosh netbooks, thin-and-light notebooks impress, Windows XP finally on the way out, and more.
- Replacing the Hard Drive in a Clamshell iBook, John Hatchett, Recycled Computing, 11.19. Yes, it is one of the most difficult Apple notebooks to disassemble and reassemble, but a 10 GB hard drive just will not do.
- IBM Model F: A Great Old Keyboard with an Outdated Layout, Tommy Thomas, Welcome to Macintosh, 11.19. Although it used a different technology than the revered IBM Model M keyboard, the Model F was a great keyboard in its own right.
- Soft Touch Keyboards, Wireless Mouse Options, Loving SeaMonkey 2, and More, Charles W. Moore, Miscellaneous Ramblings, 11.18. Also the future of browsing with PowerPC Macs and the multiple mouse input bug introduced with OS X 10.5.8.
- More links in our archive.
Recent Deals
- Best eMac Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz Combo, $100; SuperDrive, $269; 1.25 GHz Combo, $119; SD, $319; 1.42 GHz Combo, $289; SD, $498.
- Best Mac OS X 10.6 and Mac Box Set Deals, 11.18. "Snow Leopard", single user, $25; 5 users, $45; Mac Box Set, single user, $139; 5 users, $180; Server, $414. Shipping included.
- Best Xserve Deals, 11.18. Used 1 GHz dual G4, $649; 2.3 dual G5, $795; 3.0 4-core Xeon, $1,899; refurb 2.26 4-core, $2,499; new, $2,888; refurb 8-core, $2,999; new, $3,449; more.
- Best 15" MacBook Pro Deals, 11.17. Used 1.83 GHz, $750; 2.16, $800; 2.33, $900; refurb 2.4, $1,299; 2.53, $1,449; 2.66, $1,699; 2.8, $1,899; new 2.53, $1,579; 2.66, $1,799; more.
- Best Power Mac G4 and AGP Video Card Deals, 11.17. Used 400 MHz, $50; 933 MHz, $80; 500 dual, $60; 867 dual, $90; 1 GHz dual, $150; 1.25 GHz dual, $225; 1.42 GHz, $499.
- Best Mac OS X 10.5 Deals, 11.17. "Leopard" upgrade, $80; single user license, $135; 5 users, $173; Mac Box Set, 5 users, $230; Server, 10 users, $340; unlimited, $850. Shipping included.
- Best Mac mini Deals, 11.16. Used 1.42 GHz G4 mini, $379; 1.66 GHz Core Solo, $419; 2.0 Core 2, $450; new 2.26 GHz nVidia, $580; 2.53 GHz, $769; Server, $990.
- Best iBook G4 Deals, 11.16. Used 12" 1.07 GHz Combo, $210; 1.33 GHz, $298; 14" 1.33 GHz, $398; 1.42 GHz, $479; SuperDrive, $498.
- Best iPod shuffle Deals, 11.16. Used 1 GB, $35; 4 GB, $65; refurb 1 GB, $39; 2 GB, $59; new 2 GB, $55, 4 GB, $75. New and refurb prices include shipping.
- More deals in our archive.
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