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Should I go with a VMWare install or a Wubi install?

rated 0 times [ 3] [ 0] / answers: 1 / hits: 2214 / 2 Years ago, tue, july 12, 2022, 2:39:07

First off, no, I'm not going to do the standard partitioning install. I've gone through a few hours of dealing with boot managers that wouldn't install properly and accidentally temporarily "breaking" my machine, I can live with negligible performance decrease and the lack of a hibernate function.

Anyways, I'm debating whether or not I should opt for the Wubi installation or the VMWare installation. Specifically, here's the factors that should influence my decision

1) I'll be using it for lightweight computing, word processing, graphs, logs, data collection, maybe some programming, etc. (I'm a college student). So while I don't need my full graphics potential or anything, I'd like to have an installation that works as fast and efficient as possible, without hangups/stutters/etc.

2) I have a laptop with NVIDIA Optimus (switchable graphics). These graphics work properly through Windows, and semi-properly through Wubi Ubuntu with the Bumblebee utility. If Optimus works a-ok in Windows, will it work just as well in a Virtual Machine hosted by Windows? Or will I have to find a way to get Bumblebee working with the VM installation?

3) I have 6GB of RAM, which is a good quantity and can nullify the memory deficiency that having Windows 7 and Ubuntu running at once could cause. However, I want to use absolutely no swap space if possible. In addition, will having Windows 7 running in the background affect my CPU's processing power vs. Wubi?

4) I heard somewhere that 3D graphics can be iffy with VMware. I'd like to have a 3D desktop environment with effects included. Will this be as possible with VMware as it is with Wubi?

5) Is running Ubuntu in a VM going to make my computer more vulnerable as opposed to a dual-boot through Wubi? I like Ubuntu's tight security, and I'm not sure if running it within Windows' less tight environment would affect it.

In general, I want something that works without a hitch, and runs and looks sleek. While I'd love the ability to switch between 7 and Ubuntu with the press of a button so I could do more Windows-specific things such as MS Office and gaming, the whole idea of running a whole operating system inside of another operating system seems questionable. If the security and performance cost of running it in a VM is too high, then I'll stick with Wubi, but I really do like the idea.

addition - Can't believe I forgot this. I'm running a laptop in a university setting, so battery life is going to be a huge deal for me. I imagine that the virtual machine will require more power to run, but will this be a noticeable and significant difference?

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3 Years ago

answered 2 Years ago exceeeelh · Accepted Answer

I suggest VMWare, especially given your dual-graphics system.

1) With 6GB RAM, give 1-1.5 to the Ubuntu VM and it will be sufficient - no swap necessary.

2) The VM uses Windows graphics drivers and doesn't care about the actual graphics card. No Bumblebee needed. If you want full dual-graphics advantage go with the VM.

3) Install Ubuntu 32-bit, and 1-1.5GB of memory should be enough to do most things without swap. The total CPU power is shared between Windows and the VM, obviously; just having Windows 7 in the background will not affect your VMWAre experience, but if you are doing something heavy in Windows 7 the proportion of CPU power available to the VM will decrease correspondingly.

4) Enable 3D-acceleration in that VM's settings in VMWare and you should be good to go.

5) A virtual machine is separated from the host, so Windows vulnerabilities won't affect Ubuntu. However if you enable shared folders you should make sure you have a good updated antivirus running on Windows.