I use Arch Linux, and some apps require me to use Windows. I have tried to get Wine working, but it’s just too much of a hassle. If the only goal of my virtualization setup is to run something like Adobe apps (I’m not doing any gaming on it), will Virtualbox or virt-manager be the quick and easy choice for me? I have tried using Virtualbox, but it didn’t work due to some dkms drivers I think. I also don’t want to use QEMU by itself, as I don’t like using terminal commands and much prefer using a GUI to do things.
I recommend going with Virt-manager, it works much better than VirtualBox in my experience.
The reason for better performance is that virt-manager (KVM actually under the hood) is a type 1 hypervisor while virtualbox is a type 2 hypervisor.
For a gui to qemu use Virt-manager or gnome boxes.
iirc gnome boxes doesnt support gpu passthrough while virt-manager does, which would be convenient to have for adobe apps.
Boxes supports it on Linux hosts
What? It sorta gpu passthrough? I couldn’t find any way to enable it online
GPU acceleration. You don’t want GPU passthough as then you have 2 cursors and no copy and paste
I used VMware or vbox for 10+ years, or HyperV in Windows.
Lastly in Linux I needed a windows XP install for an old program, I tried QEMU and after booting the install iso, I just created a small script to launch my installed image with some parameters I needed for serial port, and that’s it.
I like QEMU, and will try to use it for any VM now.
Make sure you use KVM for acceleration.
Best option is virtual manager
Just another recommendation for QEMU + Virtmanager. I’ve been using that setup for some time now and its a smooth and responsive experience.
I did have some issues getting USB redirection on EndeavourOS, the virtualization entry on the Arch wiki helped. Check out section 8, SPICE. I didn’t have the same problem in Manjaro, so it appears to be just a missing package/configuration issue with more minimalist Arch-based distros.
You’ve already decided, so just go for it.
You’ll probably start with virt-manager then move to proxmox. This is the way, it’s only a matter of how long before you realize it’s better.
Both work. But for desktop use I recommend VirtualBox.
