Dual Boot or Virtual Computer?

[chadders]

Dual Boot or Virtual Computer, which do you prefer and why?

[tech_man]

Dual Boot. Virtualization doesn't support 3d acceleration (yet).

[Dark_Stang]

Dual boot. I don't dual boot anymore but that's definately the way to go in my opinion.

[techieMoe]

I did not vote because your question isn't specific enough. Neither dual boot nor virtualization are always the correct answer for everyone. If I'm going to be doing testing and I'm not concerned with 3D performance, a virtual machine is convenient and useful.

If I want to play 3D games in another OS, then a dual-boot solution is best. There are any number of reasons why someone would want one over the other. It just depends on what you want to accomplish.

[sdousley]

I agree with Techie Moe. It depends entirely on the situation, and what you will use the secondary OS for. I have (recently) installed a lot of linux distributions in virtual machines, such that i can learn them. Also, if someone comes onto IRC and says "How do i do x in y distro" I can more than likely fire up that distro (or derivitive of) and work on pretty much the same system as the other person. This is where virtualisation would be useful.

On the other hand, if what you use the second VM for is going to be quite resource intensive, because a VM means you are effectively running 2 systems from one, it would be better to dual-boot.

[stubbe]

certainly dual boot. I get both OS at 100% performance. Using VM I suppose recommended only for those who are learning and trying to avoid total system damage.

[apoorv_khurasia]

There was no option for "both" so I went for dual boot because I use more systems on it. I run new OS on virtual PC before trying it out on my hardware. Also as somebody said virtualization is not that good with hardware if you want to test the OS run it on the bare machine.

[djmoymoy]

Dual boot.

[rockinup1231]

I didn't vote, either. I only use Linux because my compy only has a 10gb hard drive, and multiple partitions for 2 OS's just isn't an option. I am going to buy a new one soon. Maybe then I will.