Here’s why most Mac users will probably want to skip VirtualBox
- jan
- 31
- Posted by Michael
- Posted in Okategoriserade
This open-source virtualization solution gets the job done if you have the patience for it.
Virtualization software makes it possible to run different operating systems on your computer. For Mac users, choosing a provider boils down to flexibility, compatibility, and whether you're willing to pay for the service. VirtualBox is an open-source option that's both powerful and frustrating, depending on your skillset.
First created by Innotek GmbH in 2007, VirtualBox has called Oracle home for much of its 13 years of existence. Having recently tested various virtualization options for Mac, including Parallels 15 and VMWare Fusion 11.5, my underlying conclusion about VirtualBox is that it's not for most people. However, it has just enough perks that open it up to consideration.
VirtualBox 6.1
Price: Open-source, free for personal and educational use
Bottom line: If you embrace open-source software, need to run older operating systems on your Mac, or rather not pay for virtualization, VirtualBox is a good starting point.
Before moving forward, it's important to note this review looks at VirtualBox from the perspective of a typical end-user who probably doesn't have the time or desire to troubleshoot or better educate themselves about the virtualization process prior and after installation. Unlike developers and more technical users, these folks simply want the software to work and carry on with their day.
One of the advantages of using VirtualBox is its broad cross-compatibility. Unlike other virtualization options, VirtualBox hosting software is available for macOS, Windows, Linux, and even Solaris. Because of this, VirtualBox is ideally suited for Mac users who need to use Windows at home, but the reverse at work, for example.
VirtualBox's vast compatibility extends to the number of virtual operating systems it supports. For example, VirtualBox's Windows support extends all the way back to Windows 3.1, assuming you can find a copy of the 1992 software title. VirtualBox also supports macOS going back to Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
The software's all in approach, coupled with the sometimes volatile nature of open-source software, gives VirtualBox a somewhat unpolished look, however. This also makes it more prone to bugs and the occasional hiccup that might require advanced troubleshooting on your part. Who has time for this?
This rough design of VirtualBox itself makes it look older and less crisp than any other app on your Mac. On a positive note, VirtualBox 6.1, which arrived in early January, has improved the interface greatly, however.
Installation
For this review, I installed VirtualBox 6.1.2 on my 2018 MacBook Pro. For virtual machines, I selected the latest version of Windows and Ubuntu Linux 64-bit. Overall, I found the installation process somewhat easy to perform, although some of the prompts didn't make sense. Specifically, VirtualBox could do a better job of explaining the importance of each step in the process. Better still, the language used to explain any recommended settings should be expanded.
Finally, while VirtualBox supports a large number of operating systems (and versions), any assistance it provides in finding those systems to download, especially the older ones, is mostly lacking. If VirtualBox ever hopes to expand its reach beyond its ideal type of users, a good place to begin would be to improve documentation in this regard.
As things stand, the installation process, depending on your skill level, could quickly feel like an unwelcoming trip to Wonderland.
Verdict
Oracle supporters, IT professionals, developers, and anyone else who likes to play around with open-source software will almost certainly love using VirtualBox. For those folks, it comes highly recommended.
For everyone else, especially home-based non-techies, there's still nothing better than Parallels for Mac. The best virtualization software for most end-users keeps getting better because of its ease of use and just works design. A $100-per-year subscription to Parallels guarantees you'll always have the latest version. Better still, Parallels always releases its newest full release to coincide with the arrival of Apple's most recent macOS version. This means little downtime and hassle.
Senaste inläggen
- Rykte: Iphone 17-serien kommer att få en modell med helt ny design
- All the iPads Apple will still announce in 2024
- New M4 iPad Pro owners complain of grainy displays and there probably isn’t anything Apple can do about it
- Are you fed up with AI in your Google Search on iPhone, iPad, or Mac? Here’s how it works, what it does, and how you can avoid it entirely
- Apple Vision Pro is ’one of the biggest steps towards mainstream adoption’ of VR headsets, high-profile game developer says
Senaste kommentarer
Arkiv
- maj 2024
- april 2024
- mars 2024
- februari 2024
- januari 2024
- december 2023
- november 2023
- oktober 2023
- september 2023
- augusti 2023
- juli 2023
- juni 2023
- maj 2023
- april 2023
- mars 2023
- februari 2023
- januari 2023
- december 2022
- november 2022
- oktober 2022
- september 2022
- augusti 2022
- juli 2022
- juni 2022
- maj 2022
- april 2022
- mars 2022
- februari 2022
- april 2021
- mars 2021
- januari 2021
- december 2020
- november 2020
- oktober 2020
- september 2020
- augusti 2020
- juli 2020
- juni 2020
- maj 2020
- april 2020
- mars 2020
- februari 2020
- januari 2020
- december 2019
- november 2019
- oktober 2019
- september 2019
- augusti 2019
- juli 2019
- juni 2019
- maj 2019
- april 2019
- mars 2019
- februari 2019
- januari 2019
- december 2018
- november 2018
- oktober 2018
- september 2018
- augusti 2018
- juli 2018
- juni 2018
- maj 2018
- april 2018
- mars 2018
- februari 2018
- januari 2018
- december 2017
- november 2017
- oktober 2017
- september 2017
- augusti 2017
- juli 2017
- juni 2017
- maj 2017
- april 2017
- mars 2017
- februari 2017
- januari 2017
- december 2016
- november 2016
- oktober 2016
- september 2016
- augusti 2016
- juli 2016
- juni 2016
- maj 2016
- april 2016
- mars 2016
- februari 2016
- januari 2016
- december 2015
- november 2015
- oktober 2015
- september 2015
- augusti 2015
- juli 2015
- juni 2015
- maj 2015
- april 2015
- mars 2015
- februari 2015
- januari 2015
- december 2014
- november 2014
- oktober 2014
- september 2014
- augusti 2014
- juli 2014
- juni 2014
- maj 2014
- april 2014
- mars 2014
- februari 2014
- januari 2014
Kategorier
- –> Publicera på PFA löp
- (PRODUCT) RED
- 2015
- 25PP
- 2nd gen
- 32gb
- 3D Touch
- 3D-kamera
- 4k
- 64gb
- 9to5mac
- A10
- A9X
- Aaron Sorkin
- Accessories
- adapter
- AirPlay
- AirPods
- Aktiv
- Aktivitetsarmband
- Aktuellt
- Alfred
- AMOLED
- Android Wear
- Angela Ahrendts
- Ångerätt
- announcements
- Ansiktsigenkänning
- app
- App Store
- Appar
- Apple
- Apple Beta Software Program
- Apple Book
- Apple CarPlay
- Apple Event
- Apple iMac
- Apple Mac Mini
- Apple Macbook
- Apple MacBook Air
- Apple MacBook Pro
- Apple Macos
- Apple Maps
- Apple Music
- Apple Music Festival
- Apple Music Radio
- Apple Offer
- Apple Online Store
- Apple Park
- Apple Pay
- Apple Pencil
- Apple Podcast
- Apple Store
- Apple Store 3.3
- Apple TV
- apple tv 4
- Apple TV 4K
- Apple Watch
- Apple Watch 2
- Apple Watch 8
- Apple Watch 9
- Apple Watch Apps
- Apple Watch SE
- Apple Watch Series 2
- Apple Watch Sport
- Apple Watch Ultra
- AppleCare
- AppleTV
- Application
- Applications
- Apps
- AppStore
- Apptillägg
- Apptips
- AppTV
- April
- Arbetsminne
- armband
- Art Apps
- Återköp
- återvinning
- Åtgärdsalternativ
- atvflash
- Audio Apps
- Augmented REality
- Back-to-school
- Bakgrundsbilder
- BankId
- Barn
- Batteri
- batteriskal
- batteritid
- Beats
- Beats 1
- Beats Solo 2 Wireless
- Beats Solo2
- Bebis
- Beginner Tips
- Belkin
- Bendgate
- beta
- Beta 3
- betaversion
- betaversioner
- bilddagboken.se
- bilder
- bilhållare
- billboard
- Bioteknik
- Blendtec
- Bloomberg
- Bloons TD 5
- Bluelounge
- Bluetooth
- Böj
- Booking.com
- Borderlinx
- bose
- bugg
- Buggar
- Buggfixar
- Butik
- C More
- Calc 2M
- Camera
- Campus 2
- Canal Digital
- Carpool Karaoke
- Caseual
- Catalyst
- CES 2015
- Chassit
- Chip
- Chrome Remote Desktop
- Chromecast
- citrix
- clic 360
- CNBC
- Connect
- Cydia
- Dagens app
- Dagens tips
- Damm
- Danny Boyle
- Data
- datamängd
- Datorer
- Datortillbehör
- Datum
- Defense
- Dekaler
- Designed by Apple in California
- Developer
- Development
- Digital Inn
- Digital Touch
- Digitalbox
- DigiTimes
- Direkt
- Discover
- display
- DisplayMate
- Dive
- Docka
- Dräger 3000
- Dropbox
- Droples
- DxOMark
- E-post
- earpod
- EarPods
- Earth Day
- Eddie Cue
- eddy cue
- Educational Apps
- Ekonomi
- Ekonomi/Bransch
- El Capitan
- Elements
- ElevationLab
- Elgato Eve
- Elgato Eve Energy
- EM 2016
- Emoji
- emojis
- emoticons
- Enligt
- EU
- event
- Eventrykten
- EverythingApplePro
- Faceshift
- facetime
- Fäste
- Featured
- Features
- Feng
- Film / Tv-serier
- Filmer
- Filstorlek
- Finance Apps
- Finder For AirPods
- Finland
- FireCore
- Fitbit
- Fitness Accessories
- Fjärrstyr
- Flurry
- Födelsedag
- fodral
- Förboka
- Force Touch
- förhandsboka
- Första intryck
- Forumtipset
- foto
- FoU (Forskning och Utveckling)
- Fource Touch
- Foxconn
- FPS Games
- Framtid
- Fre Power
- Frontpage
- Fullt
- Fuse Chicken
- Fyra
- Gadgets
- Gagatsvart
- Gamereactor
- Games
- Gaming
- Gaming Chairs
- Gästkrönika
- General
- Gigaset
- Gitarr
- Glas
- GM
- Google Maps
- Google Now
- gratis
- grattis
- Guide
- Guider
- Guider & listor
- Guld
- hack
- Halebop
- hållare
- Hälsa
- Hårdvara
- HBO
- HBO Nordic
- Health
- Health and Fitness
- Health and Fitness Apps
- Hej Siri
- Helvetica Neue
- Hemelektronik
- Hemknapp
- Hemlarm
- Hermes
- Hitta min iphone
- Hjärta
- högtalare
- HomeKit
- HomePod
- hörlurar
- htc
- Hue
- Humor
- i
- I Am A Witness
- IBM
- iBolt
- iBomber
- iBook
- icar
- iCloud
- iCloud Drive
- iCloud Voicemail
- iCloud.com
- iDevices
- IDG Play
- idownloadblog
- iFixit
- ikea
- iKörkort
- iLife
- Illusion Labs
- iMac
- IMAP
- iMessage
- iMessages
- iMore Show
- Incipio
- InFuse
- Inspelning
- Instagram-flöde
- Instrument
- Intel
- Internet/Webbtjänster
- iOS
- iOS 10
- iOS 12
- iOS 17
- iOS 18
- iOS 5
- iOS 7
- iOS 8
- iOS 8 beta
- iOS 8.1.3
- iOS 8.2
- iOS 8.3
- iOS 8.4
- iOS 8.4.1
- iOS 9
- iOS 9 beta 4
- iOS 9.1
- iOS 9.1 beta 2
- iOS 9.2
- iOS 9.2.1
- iOS 9.3
- IOS Games
- ios uppdatering
- ios9
- iPad
- iPad Accessories
- iPad Air
- iPad Air 2
- iPad Air 3
- iPad Air 5
- iPad Apps
- iPad Mini
- iPad mini 4
- iPad Mini 6
- iPad mini retina
- iPad Pro
- iPados
- iphone
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 17
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 5se
- iPhone 6
- iphone 6 plus
- iPhone 6c
- iPhone 6s
- iPhone 6S plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 display
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 7s
- iPhone Accessories
- iPhone Apps
- iPhone SE
- iphone x
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone7
- iPhoneGuiden
- iPhoneguiden.se
- iPhones
- iPod
- iPod Nano
- iPod shuffle
- ipod touch
- iSight
- iTunes
- iWatch
- iWork
- iWork för iCloud beta
- Jailbreak
- James Corden
- Jämförande test
- Jämförelse
- Jet Black
- Jet White
- Jönssonligan
- Jony Ive
- Juice Pack
- Juridik
- Just mobile
- kalender
- kalkylator
- Kamera
- Kameratest
- Karriär/Utbildning
- Kartor
- Kevin Hart
- keynote
- Keynote 2016
- KGI
- KGI Security
- Kina
- Klassiskt läderspänne
- Kod
- Kollage
- koncept
- konceptbilder
- köpguide
- krasch
- Krascha iPhone
- Krönika
- Kvartalsrapport
- Laddhållare
- laddningsdocka
- Laddunderlägg
- läderloop
- lagar
- Lagring
- Lajka
- Länder
- lansering
- laserfokus
- Layout
- leather loop
- LG
- Liam
- Lifeproof
- Lightnigport
- lightning
- Linux
- LinX
- live
- Live GIF
- Live Photos
- Live-event
- Livsstil
- Ljud & Bild
- Logitech
- LOL
- Lösenkod
- Lösenkodlås
- Lovande spel
- LTE
- Luxe Edition
- M3
- M3TV
- Mac
- Mac App Store
- Mac Apps
- Mac Mini
- Mac OS
- Mac OS X
- Mac OS X (generellt)
- Mac OS X Snow Leopard
- Mac Pro
- Macbook
- Macbook Air
- Macbook Pro
- Macforum
- Macintosh
- macOS
- Macs
- MacWorld
- Made for Apple Watch
- magi
- Magic
- MagSafe
- Martin Hajek
- matematik
- Meddelanden
- Media Markt
- Medieproduktion
- Mediocre
- Messaging Apps
- Messenger
- MetaWatch
- Mfi
- Michael Fassbender
- microsoft
- Mikrofon
- Minecraft
- Ming-Chi Kuo
- miniräknare
- minne
- Mixer
- Mixning
- Mjukvara
- mobbning
- Mobile Content
- Mobilt
- Mobilt/Handdator/Laptop
- Mobiltelefon
- Mockup
- Mophie
- mors dag
- moto 360
- Motor
- MTV VMA
- multitasking
- Music
- Music Apps
- Music, Movies and TV
- Musik
- Musikmemon
- MW Expo 2008
- native union
- Nätverk
- Navigation Apps
- nedgradera
- Netatmo Welcome
- Netflix
- Netgear Arlo
- News
- Niantic
- Nike
- Nikkei
- Nintendo
- Nöje
- Norge
- Notis
- Notiscenter
- nya färger
- Nyfödd
- Nyheter
- Officeprogram
- Okategoriserade
- OLED
- omdöme
- Omsättning
- OS X
- OS X El Capitan
- OS X Mavericks
- OS X Yosemite
- Outlook
- Övrig mjukvara
- Övrigt
- PanGu
- papper
- patent
- PC
- pebble
- Pebble Smartwatch
- Pebble Steel
- Pebble Time
- Pebble Time Steel
- Persondatorer
- Petter Hegevall
- PewDiePie
- Philips
- Philips Hue
- Phones
- Photoshop
- Planet of the apps
- Plex
- Pluggar
- Plus
- Plusbox
- Podcast
- Podcast Apps
- Pokemon
- Pokemon Go
- Policy
- Porträttläge
- PP
- Pris
- priser
- problem
- Problems
- Productivity Apps
- Program
- Prylar & tillbehör
- Publik
- publik beta
- QuickTime
- räkenskapsår
- räkna
- ram
- RAM-minne
- Rapport/Undersökning/Trend
- Rea
- Reading Apps
- recension
- Red
- reklaamfilm
- reklam
- reklamfilm
- reklamfilmer
- rekord
- Rendering
- reparation
- Reportage
- Reptest
- ResearchKit
- Retro
- Review
- Ring
- Ringa
- Rocket Cars
- Rosa
- Rumors
- Rumours
- RunKeeper
- rykte
- Rykten
- Safir
- Säkerhet
- Säkerhetsbrist
- Samhälle/Politik
- samsung
- Samtal
- San Francisco
- SAP
- security
- Series 2
- Servrar
- Shigeru Miyamoto
- Sia
- Siri
- SJ Min resa
- skal
- Skal iPhone 6
- skal iPhone 6s
- skärm
- SKärmdump
- Skärmglas
- Skribent
- skribenter medarbetare
- Skriva ut
- skruvmejsel
- skydd
- Skyddsfilm
- Skype
- slice intelligence
- Smart
- smart hem
- Smart Home
- Smart Keyboard
- Smart klocka
- Smart Lights
- smartphone
- Smartwatch
- Snabbt
- Snapchat
- Social Apps
- Software
- Solo2
- sommar
- Sonos
- Sony
- soundtouch
- Space Marshals
- spår
- Speakers
- Special Event
- Spel
- Spelkonsol
- Spellistor
- Split Screen
- Split View
- Sport
- Sportband
- Sports Apps
- spotify
- Spring forward
- Statistik
- Steve Jobs
- Stickers
- Stockholm
- Stor iPhone
- Storlek
- Story Mode
- Strategy Games
- streama
- Streaming
- stresstest
- Ström
- Studentrabatt
- stylus
- Super Mario Run
- support
- Surf
- Surfplatta
- svenska
- sverige
- Sverigelansering
- Switch
- Systemstatus
- Systemutveckling
- tåg
- Taig
- Tangentbord
- Taptic Engine
- Tårta
- tät
- Tävling
- Taylor Swift
- Teknik
- tele 2
- Telefoner
- Telekom
- Telia
- Test
- Tid
- TikTok
- Tile
- tillbehör
- Tim Cook
- TIME
- TimeStand
- Tiny Umbrella
- Tips
- Toppnyhet IDG.se
- Touch ID
- TouchID
- tower defence
- trådlös laddning
- Trådlösa hörlurar
- trådlöst
- trailer
- Travel Apps
- Tre
- TrendForce
- TripAdvisor
- Trolleri
- trump
- TSMC
- Tum
- tv
- tvätta
- tvOS
- tvOS 9.2
- tvOS beta 2
- Tweak
- Typsnitt
- Ubytesprogram
- UE MegaBoom
- Unboxing
- Underhållning/Spel
- unidays
- United Daily News
- Unix
- Updates
- Uppdatera
- uppdatering
- Upplösning
- upptäckt
- USA
- Ut på Twitter
- utbyte
- utbytesprogram
- Utilities Apps
- Utlottning
- utrymme
- utvecklare
- varumärke
- Vatten
- Vattentålig
- vattentät
- vävt nylon
- Verktyg
- Viaplay
- Vibrator
- video
- Videoartiklar och webb-tv (M3/TW/CS)
- Villkor
- viloknapp
- Virtual Reality
- Virus
- visa
- Vision Pro
- VLC
- Volvo on call
- W1
- Waitrose
- Watch OS
- WatchOS
- WatchOS 2
- watchOS 2.0.1
- watchOS 2.2
- Webbtv (AppTV)
- wi-fi
- Wifi-samtal
- Windows
- Windows 8
- WWDC
- WWDC2015
- yalu
- Youtube
- Zlatan