Virtual Box 2.2

VirtualBox for Windows is similar in functionality to the VirtualBox Mac version and it's reasonable for systems professionals, but non IT folks won't be happy

Network World

  • Review
  • Specs
  • Images
  • User Reviews
  • Buy Online

Pros

  • iSCSI support, VirtualBox-installed drivers worked fine

Cons

  • No drag-and-drop of files between a host and guest VM, poor USB support

Bottom Line

VirtualBox for Windows is similar in functionality to the VirtualBox Mac version and it's reasonable for systems professionals, but non IT folks won't be happy. We were impressed by the seamless mode, but this is a free project, and it needs work.

Would you buy this?

  • Price

    Free (AUD)

Special Offers

Shared folders weren't easy to find. As an example, typing a share name directly (example: \\vboxsvr\sharename ) didn't work, but browsing to it did (which showed the same address when typing directly).

Under seamless mode, the guest Start menu is displayed just above the host Start menu, so it looks like there are two start menus. With Vista as a host, it's pretty easy to tell the difference, but when running XP within XP, it looks like two start menus on top of each other.

Running Ubuntu guest

Like the XP and Vista installation, Ubuntu installed into VirtualBox 2.2 without any difficulties. The VirtualBox tools (actually drivers) easily installed and compiled as a Linux script. Our Bluetooth pairing and file movement test passed. The USB devices were recognized, but our USB camera didn't work, similar to what happened in XP. Our small HP notebook's fingerprint reader device doesn't have drivers for Ubuntu, so it couldn't be detected or tested.

The Ubuntu Seamless mode worked similarly to how XP hosts Windows. Moving hosted windows around by dragging them proved choppy and somewhat difficult, also showing remnants of the Ubuntu desktop background. But otherwise it worked well. Sharing folders required us to use the Linux mount command, but instructions are given.

Keep up with the latest tech news, reviews and previews by subscribing to the PC World newsletter.

Be the first to comment.

Post new comment

Users posting comments agree to the Good Gear Guide comments policy.

Login or register to link comments to your user profile, or you may also post a comment without being logged in.

Most Popular

Tethering tutorial: How to use your iPhone as a modem
Capacitive vs resistive touchscreens
How to pick the right size TV for your living room
LCD vs plasma vs LED TVs buying guide
The most disturbing YouTube videos of all time

Best Deals on PCWorld

Software and ServicesView all »
SecurityView all »
Servers & StorageView all »
Desktop PCsView all »
NotebooksView all »