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Ask HN: Best way to run a Linux VM under Mac OS X for a developer workstation?
My employer provides Macbook Pros for developer workstations, but
I prefer working in Linux. The main thing I am missing is a fully-configurable, keyboard-driven tiling WM, as I am accustomed to using in Linux.
Does anyone out there work primarily in a Linux VM on a Mac OS X host? What virtualization software do you use? Are you able to run HiDPI without issues? How is the performance?
I have tried using VirtualBox, but I am having problems getting it to work with full 4K resolution (on an external display). I am willing to use a non-free-as-in-beer solution like VMWare Fusion. I want the best experience possible.
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Other options and why I am not considering them:
I have looked at the various native OS X tiling solutions, and they don't seem that great. I think I would prefer running Linux itself.
I don't want to install Linux directly on the Mac because the process seems a bit "fiddly", and I need to be able to use Mac-specific features (e.g. we use AirPlay to connect to our conference room displays). I also want to minimize issues restoring the laptop to factory state in the event that I left the company.
- tshtf 10y agoWhy not get a free 30-day trial of VMware Fusion? I've found it far superior to VirtualBox. https://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/fusion-evaluation https://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/fusion-evaluation
- pinewurst 10y agoAnother voice for VMware Fusion. It's an excellent piece of software! Hopefully it will remain so now that VMware has zotzed the local dev team in favor of "rightsourcing".
- dman 10y agoWhy not use bootcamp and have both on the laptop?
- oftenwrong 10y agoI will need to be able to AirPlay my Linux development environment
- phoenix2life 10y agoMany options like VMware Fusion, VMware Player Free, Virtual Box: Recommended: Latest Option One Try Veertu - Native Virtualization on Mac OS X. Mac Store https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/veertu-native-virtualization/id1024069033?mt=12 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/veertu-native-virtualization... Veertu Ltd http://veertu.com/ http://veertu.com/ Bit Dated Option Two: Use Docker Toolbox Beta to install docker engine, docker compose and relevant tools. Use that for running Linux in Containers. https://www.docker.com/products/docker-toolbox https://www.docker.com/products/docker-toolbox How to install: https://docs.docker.com/mac/step_one/ https://docs.docker.com/mac/step_one/ HTH