Recommended VM Software and Version of Linux

[AfricanTech]

So,

Now that I have my Win 8.1 "MediaPC" up and running and streaming everything properly, I'd like to install a VM and a 'light yet relatively user friendly" version of Linux in the VM.

The Linux VM wont be used for any media functions - mostly just for learning and occasionally as a 'quarantine' machine for suspect USB sticks / harddrives.

Any recommendations?

Base Machine Config:
Laptop - Core i7 M620
4 Gig Ram
Win 8.1 64 bit

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Virtualbox if it's that's your use case.

 

[AfricanTech]

Virtualbox if it's that's your use case.

Thanks - got that far at least

 

[biometrics]

Get Linux Mint: http://www.linuxmint.com/

 

[mintydroid]

Virtualbox is the best I've used.

 

[biometrics]

Virtualbox is the best I've used.

I prefer VMware but Virtualbox is free.

 

[AfricanTech]

Get Linux Mint: http://www.linuxmint.com/

Used Mint for years - want to try something lighter - don't need the media codecs for this use case

 

[biometrics]

Used Mint for years - want to try something lighter - don't need the media codecs for this use case

Do you want a GUI or only CLI? We use Ubuntu for our servers. Very happy with it. CLI only.

 

[AfricanTech]

Do you want a GUI or only CLI? We use Ubuntu for our servers. Very happy with it. CLI only.

Umm, gui - cli a bit too spartan

 

[ITCynic]

I use VMWare player which is free and a Debian LAMP server installed. Use it for my web developement and it works great.

It appears you are in Cape Town so if you want a copy of the Debian VM image file just PM me and we can meet somwhere.
Saves you the hassle of installing it.

 

[AfricanTech]

I use VMWare player which is free and a Debian LAMP server installed. Use it for my web developement and it works great.

It appears you are in Cape Town so if you want a copy of the Debian VM image file just PM me and we can meet somwhere.
Saves you the hassle of installing it.

Thanks for the offer and recommendations - I'll check it out.

Don't mind downloading (uncapped)

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Used Mint for years - want to try something lighter - don't need the media codecs for this use case

Centos 6.5. Solid as a rock and still uses Gnome 2 which is also very stable.

 

[garyc]

For desktop type virtualisation your choices are VMWare player or Virtualbox. It looks like you are going to install it on a Windows host, so if you go for Virtualbox then it would be best to avoid downloading the last two versions. The previous version had issues and they have just done a maintenance release. It looks like the previous one was so badly broken that they have not been able to fully fix it in one step.

 

[AfricanTech]

For desktop type virtualisation your choices are VMWare player or Virtualbox. It looks like you are going to install it on a Windows host, so if you go for Virtualbox then it would be best to avoid downloading the last two versions. The previous version had issues and they have just done a maintenance release. It looks like the previous one was so badly broken that they have not been able to fully fix it in one step.

Thanks

 

[Rickster]

but Virtualbox is free.

So is VMWare

 

[skimread]

ubuntu for desktop
centos for server
virtualbox/vmware/hyper v/virtual PC for vm on windows

 

[Maverick Jester]

Currently using Xubuntu in a VM on a slightly older desktop. Lightweight, easy to use and performs rather well.

 

[mintydroid]

I have downloaded Virtualbox on Mint last night. Going to dump in my XP image and see if it works

 

[biometrics]

So is VMWare

I use VMware Workstation which is not free. Forgot about VMware Player which is free.

 

[noob_saibot]

VirtualBox is a convenient tool (for ease of use I think). However, it is also quite bloated, but with 4GB RAM you should be fine.

As far as a lightweight desktop goes, try Lubuntu/Xubuntu.