Features a daunting array of options
VirtualBox is Oracle's free virtualization tool, which is being distributed as Open Source Software under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL). Don't let the fact that VirtualBox is free fool you, though. It may be a no cost solution, but it's a feature rich product, with support for a broad range of both host and guest operating systems. VirtualBox is updated frequently too, which is another plus.
Installing VirtualBox is straightforward and, as you'll see in the sidebar on the next page, performance is quite good. VirtualBox also offers the widest range of virtual hardware options for your VM of the three products featured here. But with such a wide range of features and OS support comes a bit of complexity. Although we think that seasoned enthusiasts will have little trouble navigating through VirtualBox's vast array of configuration menus, the sheer number of options may be daunting to some.
Once configured, however, VirtualBox is a good tool that should serve users well. We particularly like VirtualBox's ability to take multiple snapshots of a VM. should you need to quickly revert to a previous state. We also like that VirtualBox makes it easy to create shortcuts in the host OS to your virtual machines, so launching a VM is never more than a couple of clicks away.
If there's one area where VirtualBox is lacking, it's in its integration with the host OS. VirtualBox does offer scalable and seamless modes that work fairly well, but we experienced a few graphical anomalies when using them and thought VMware did a somewhat better job with host OS integration. As of this writing. VirtualBox s Direct3D acceleration is still in the experimental phase, as well, although OpenGL support has been available for a while. More common Direct3D features, like those necessary to run Aero and some games, worked with VirtualBox; but as you'll see in the performance sidebar, a video rendering test that leverages the host GPU failed.
Oracle VM VirtualBox
Freely available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris x-86 platforms:Oracle VM VirtualBox Extension Pack
Free for Personal Use, available for Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris x-86 platforms:| Platform | File |
|---|---|
| For use with Version 4.2.4 only All Platforms (Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris and Linux) |
 Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-4.2.4-81684.vbox-extpack |
| For use with Version 4.1.22 only All Platforms (Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris and Linux) |
Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-4.1.22-80657.vbox-extpack |
| For use with Version 4.0.14 only All Platforms (Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris and Linux) |
Oracle_VM_VirtualBox_Extension_Pack-4.0.14-74382.vbox-extpack |
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