Should I install through WUBI or in a Virtual Machine on my Windows machine?

Question

I want to install Ubuntu on my Windows machine and was wondering whether I should use the WUBI method or rather install via a virtual machine using VMWare or Virtual Box.

What would the advantages be of either or disadvantages?

Solution 1

WUBI PROS:

• Direct access to your real hardware (important if you need full 3D support)

WUBI CONS

• There have been numerous reports of unbootable systesm during kernel upgrades, I don't think it's effectively supported/tested

VM PROS:

• Ability for simultaneous use/interaction between both systems
• More widely used than WUBI

If you have a recent processor providing virtualization capabilities (VT) and sufficient RAM, the performance difference can be insignificant.

Unless you need real HW access I strongly suggest using a VM.

Solution 2

WUBI would run faster because it is not running on top of a virtual machine. Also, with WUBI it would be easier for Ubuntu to access things like webcam, microphone, etc. The advantage of the virtual machine is that you can run Windows and Ubuntu at the exact same time and drag things from one OS to the other. Also, with a VM you can move the image to other machines. It all depends on what you want to do.

Comments

[Admin]

Why not partition instead of wubi (ick!)

[Admin]

do you mean partition and dual boot? and why ick?

[Oxwivi]

Running on top of a host computer you mean.

[darren]

So in the end I decided to go the VM route. I like the idea of having it portable and manageable. There are more things to consider like how to setup the VM properly (accessing shared folders etc) but so far I'm quite happy.

[fqdn]

When using Wubi the Windows filesystem is mounted on /host