Is not it time to get a virtual computer?

For some reason, most novice users are afraid and do not want to install a virtual computer on their machine, and completely in vain. After all, it is easy to use and gives a lot of advantages, without too much loading while the system. Especially in our time, when a modern computer has such a power that it can safely run several virtual machines.

A virtual computer serves to allow the installation of any operating system on its machine, the operation of which can in no way affect the functioning of the main system. If you wish, you can delete it and install a new one at any time. And the number of virtual machines is limited only by the free space of your hard drive.

Why would an average user spend time on installing a virtual computer? Firstly, it is convenient to use it for testing the work of various applications, especially if it is a trial version that just appeared and can contain errors. Secondly, a virtual computer makes it possible to evaluate a new version of the operating system before making a final transition to it. And thirdly, with its help you can put yourself an OS to work with applications that are not designed to work on the main system. You can also study an alternative OS. Who knows, maybe it will be more stable and suitable for you.

Virtual assembly of the computer is performed in a few minutes and with a few mouse clicks. The main thing is, stock up in advance a disk or a way to install the selected OS.

Such a program can work not only on the user's local machine, but also on the network server. A virtual computer on the Internet is a logical result of the development of the information space. Usually it is used by web-studios and experienced programmers who do not have enough of the opportunities that ordinary hosting provides.

So, suppose you decide to have a virtual computer. What application for this purpose? Let's consider in brief five most popular programs:

• VMware Workstation;
• VirtualBox;
• Virtual PC from Microsoft;
• Parallels Desktop;
• QEMU.

VMware Workstation is a virtual computer with a rich functionality intended for office workers more than for a home user, which is why it costs quite well - about 6,000 rubles. However, you can choose for your home a free version - Vmware Player. With its help, you can not create a virtual machine, but you can run ready assemblies.

VirtualBox is a free cross-platform application with excellent localization. With this machine, the subtlety of settings and the speed of work is a little inferior to VWmare Workstation, but it can emulate a large number of different hardware. And these are analogs of real programs, and not some nameless components. For example, Intel PRO, Ethernet adapters PCnet, IDE-controllers and PIIX3 and ICH6, Intel HD Audio and ICH AC97. With this machine there is one nuance - its trimmed OSE version does not have USB 2.0 and therefore the connection of any device will be very difficult.

Virtual PC - a development of Microsoft, designed for ordinary users. It does not support virtual optical disks, but this defect can be compensated using third-party software, for example Daemon Tools or Alcohol 52%. This machine can work with a network (both virtual and real), it is easy to install and configure, has a small size and good localization. And besides, it's free.

Parallels Desktop can work on both Windows and Linux. It is designed to work on computers from Apple. Of course, there are other similar applications for Macs, but this program is most convenient and reliable. Unfortunately, it is paid and costs about 2600 rubles and has no localization. But for the corporate sector this is a good option.

The QEMU virtual computer is the development of the Open Source camp. It works on systems that are based on Linux. Its dignity is to support a large number of architectures, but the multiplatform at the same time reduces the performance of this machine. Therefore, it makes sense to use it if the processor architecture is not of the x86 type.