Even if you don’t need to run Windows for yourself, you might need to run it for someone else. In particular, if you’re a web developer, you want to know how Internet Explorer will mutilate your web pages so you can minimize that behavior. You may also need to open a Microsoft Access database that is powering the non-profit web-site you agreed to upgrade and maintain pro-bono (I’m just saying, it could happen).
The easiest solution is to actually run Windows XP (we will not speak about Vista) so you can run IE and/or MS Access or whatever else it is you happen to need. But if you don’t have a spare old PC kicking around your options are 1) Multiboot or Bootcamp; nice but requires rebooting your computer to get between Windows and your OS. 2) VMWare Fusion or Parallels; nice but cost monies. Not a lot, but still.
I’m not sure when it was introduced, but Sun’s Oracle’s(?) VirtualBox does what VMWare fusion or Parallels would do for you; for free. (Gasp).
Yes; it’s very nice.
The only gotcha that I found (I probably should have read the user manual) is that to get my newly created virtual machine to read the CD drive, I had to not only mount it (which was obvious) but also check “Allow passthrough”. Not sure why you would want to mount a CD and not read it, but to each their own, I guess. After that, it worked peachy.
Is it as good as Parallels? VirtualBox does do the VM thing as well as VMWare or Parallels, but it doesn’t provide the same level of ‘native integration of windows apps’ last time I looked. Of course, that could just be because my host box is Linux.
Well, no; I don't think it is capable of some of the Parallels features; drag & drop, etc. But still; very good. I'll have to scan the manual and see if there is more I could do with it.
Ah, if the free version only supported USB.
Hmm. Didn't think of that.
My main use for this is testing web sites — css and javascript on Windows-only browsers. So just having a sandboxed VM works just fine.
I can see how USB/device access would be great for more advanced uses, but fortunately I don't need it (at least, not at this point).