Best PC for Virtual Machines
How to choose a POWERFUL Pre-built PC for your VM lab environment…
You might not know it, but there are top brand PCs great for running multiple virtual machines, and there are duds!
We’ll avoid the duds and focus on the best desktops and laptops that can run your virtual machines easily.
In this VMinstall guide, we’ll show you what you’ll need to know before buying a PC for running virtual machines.
What’s Your Use Case?
We all want a Powerful PC with lots of memory and SSD storage space, but there’s more to high performing VM host than a cool case or brand logo.
In a minute, we’ll dive into the juicy technical details and best practices, but first, let’s start with an important question before we look at the best computer for virtualization.
What do you intend to do with the VMs running on your new system?
- Maybe you’re building a virtual test lab and plan to just mess around with different virtual machine software for work.
- Maybe you’re a developer and need various test VMs set up to test your code while you are working out the bugs.
- Or, maybe you’re like me and do a lot of training and need to install different software packages. I always have VMs running in my virtual test lab for something.
This guide will help you decide which options and configurations to consider for your virtual machine use case.
If I missed your use case, please leave a comment or question below.
Buyerâs Guide for the Best PC for Virtual Machines
Look, depending on your use case, the configuration for the best way to run multiple virtual machines follows some basic best practices:
- CPUs with faster (GHz) and more CPU cores – Faster CPUs are a must-have, but also you want to slice up your cores so that you’re allowing enough cycles per core, so you don’t oversubscribe the clocks and cause the CPU to wait. CPUs with 6 – 8 cores can be carved up into VMs with 2 – 4 vCPUs. For best performance, keep your CPU to vCPU ratio at 1:1. This means each physical CPU core can support 1 vCPUs at most. For example, a 6 core CPU can support 3 VMs with 2 vCPUs each or 2 VMs with 3 vCPUs.
- Lots of fast memory (16 GB or more) – Memory is cheap, so more is always better. I also keep memory at a 1:1 ratio for physical to virtual memory. However, as a best practice, I reserve half my memory for my main system OS. So a PC with 16GB has 8GB available for the main PC hosting the VMs and 8GB to be shared with the VMs. Based on a PC with a 6 core CPU and 16GB of memory, you can get 2 VMs with 3 vCPUs and 4GB of memory. Obviously, you can assign more memory if you oversubscribe, but performance will degrade quickly. It really does matter what you plan to do with your VMs. If you have 32GB, you can reserve 8GB for the main system and use 24GB to assign to VMs.
- NVMe SSD or ATA SSD (Dedicated 500 GB – 1 TB of space) – If you need speed, don’t run your VMs on your main PC storage. Buy a dedicated SSD for your VMs. Disk IO is tricky and can impact the performance of even the best PCs negatively when running multiple virtual machines. You don’t want to create a bottleneck for disk reads and writes. With one drive, everything is sharing the same read/write path with the storage controller. NVMe’s are best, but the new ATA SSDs also smoke. Another benefit you get when putting your VMs on a separate SSD is that VM files and directories are easier to track when you need to clone or move your virtual machines around.
Make sure you have plenty of room for growth.
Your new system for hosting virtual machines needs to be able to expand. Later you will want to add upgraded WIFI adapters, network cards, graphics cards, memory, SSDs, NVMe storage, CPUs, and USB devices.
Be aware that motherboards have limited amounts of PCIe, ATA, NVMe, and memory slots.
Planning ahead will make your virtual machine lab more expandable later, especially if you are building virtual machines for business use cases that rely on keeping up with new software requirements.
The best desktop for running virtual machines can keep expanding if needed – conder a minimum of 3 PCIe slots, 4 memory slots, 2 NVMe slots, and 4-6 ATA connectors.
That said, there is no one-size-fits-all answer for the best PC for virtual machines. It depends on your specific needs and what you plan to use your virtual machines for. These are my general tips that can help you choose the right system for your needs.
The Best PC for Virtual Machines – 3 Alternatives for Windows & Mac Users
Important: Regardless of which PC brand you decide to choose, the key is to make sure it has the ability to run virtual machines.
There is a setting in the BIOS that must be enabled for virtualization to work. This is a must-have for the best desktops or laptops running virtual machines. Most new motherboards have it enabled by default, but some might not make it available.
Major Brand Desktops – Alternative #1
Please read the reviews and compare the technical specification for yourself before making a purchase of any of these systems.
My Best Pick
Dell XPS Desktop –Â All Use Cases
The Dell XPS Desktop is the most versatile best-in-class desktop. Highly customizable.
- No Feat Too Extreme: Built with powerful processors, memory and graphics. This desktop acheives maximum performance to support your tasks.
- Powerfully Cool: The XPS Desktop was spaciously designed to maximize airflow and reduce noise.
- Expand Even Further: Easily upgrade your desktopâs internal components and expand your performance to greater heights.
- Fast Performance: 14th Generation Intel Core i7-14700 Processor, unleash the performance needed to keep up with the most demanding creative apps.
- Beyond Fast NVIDIA GPUs: Experience breathtaking virtual worlds, ultra-high FPS gaming, and workflow acceleration with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6 graphics GPUs.
Runner-ups for Business Use
Lenovo ThinkCentre V50s Desktop – 1st Runner-up Better Choice
The Lenovo ThinkStation is best for serious gamers or graphic designers.
- Lenovo ThinkStation P520 Workstation Computer, 64GB DDR4 memory 1TB NVMe Solid State Drive + 1TB NVMe Backup
- Take processing to record speeds, crush demanding single and multi-threaded workflows and take on aggressive multi-tasking without throttling, Cutting-edge storage, memory, and cooling
- Designed to Perform - When it comes to mission-critical systems and performance, you can count on the P520 Tower Workstation
- Featuring Intel Xeon W-2135 processor, plus state-of-the-art NVIDIA Quadro P400 2GB GDDR5 Graphics, making this an extremely powerful workstation, Balances lightning-quick computing and professional graphics perfectly. The PC can be configured to meet your business needs nowâand in the future
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi USB, Bluetooth 4.2, 8x USB 3.1, 4-Monitor Support 2x Display Port, 2x HDMI
HP Envy Desktop – 2nd Runner-up Good Choice
Bring your data center home. The Pavilion Desktop features extraordinary processing power, graphics, and storage at an affordable price for personal use.
- INSPIRED DESIGN - This powerful PC is designed to fit perfectly in your workspace and inspire your creative work
- GET A FRESH PERSPECTIVE - From a rejuvenated Start menu, to new ways to connect to your favorite people, news, games and contentâWindows 11 is the place to think, express and create in a natural way
- OFFERING MORE THAN JUST A PERFORMANCE SCORE - The 13th Generation Intel Core i7-13700 Processor advances real-world computing and delivers more ultra-efficient multi-tasking
- INTEL UHD GRAPHICS - Smoothly stream 4K content and play your favorite games
- STORE ALL OF YOUR MEMORIES - Store more of what you love in the form of photos, videos and documents with 1 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage
Runner-up for Home Use
Asus ROG Strix Desktop – 1st Runner-up Better Choice
Features extraordinary processing power, graphics, and storage that is usually much more expensive. For the best performance, this ASUS Desktop PC will give you everything you need to run your virtual machine lab with ease.
- ăPowerful Storageă: 32GB DDR5 SDRAM Memory, 1TB Solid State Drive
- ăASUS ROG Strix G16CH Gaming Desktop 13th i7ă: 13th Gen Intel 16-Core i7-13700F Processor
- ăStrong Graphicsă: NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4060 8GB Graphic Dedicated
- ăExternal Ports and Slotsă: 4x USB-A 3.2, 2x USB-C 3.2, 4x USB 2.0, 2x HDMI, 1x DisplayPort, 1x RJ45 Lan, 1x PS/2
- ăOperating Systemă: Windows 11 Pro, Aura Sync Lighting, 7.1 Channel Audio, Bluetooth, Wired Keyboard and Wired Mouse
Acer Nitro Desktop – 2nd Runner-up Good Choice
The Nitro is a great starter system with many growth options.
- BUILT TO CONQUER: Elevate your gaming realm with the formidable Acer Nitro 70 gaming desktop. With a 38L chassis, this juggernaut boasts an AMD Ryzen 9 7900 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 graphics for maximized performance.
- AMD Ryzen 9 7900 12-Core Processor (Up to 5.4GHz) | 32GB DDR5 4800MHz Memory | 1TB M.2 2280 PCI-e Gen 4 SSD
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Graphics with 12GB of GDDR6X Video Memory (3 x Display Ports 1.4a & 1 x HDMI 2.1 Port)
- DTS X: Ultra Audio | Wi-Fi 6E supports dual-stream Wi-Fi in the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands, including 2x2 MU-MIMO technology | Realtek 8118AS Dragon Gigabit Ethernet
- 1 - USB 3.2 Gen1 5 Gbps, Type-C (Front) | 3 - USB 3.2 Gen1 5Gbps Type A Ports (Front) | 3 - USB 3.2 Gen2 10Gbps Type A Ports (Rear) | 1 - USB 3.2 Gen2x2 20 Gbps, Type-C Port (Rear) | 2 - USB 2.0 480Mbps Ports (Rear) | 2 - Audio Jacks (Front) | 3 - Audio Jacks (Rear) | 1 - RJ-45 Ethernet Port
DIY Home Lab Server
Custom Build a Home Lab Server – Alternative #2
Custom building your own virtual machine lab desktop is definitely not for everyone. But if you want total control, assembling a system from parts is the way to go.
Here’s a sneak peek of the computer parts you will need:
- Motherboard & CPU
- Memory (RAM)
- Storage (NVMe or ATA SSD)
- Case with a power supply
- Graphics card
- Keyboard and mouse
- WIFI network adapter
Building a home lab server for your own virtual machines can be a great way to learn about hardware and best practices for assembling a system from parts.
If you’re interested in this option but have no idea where or how to start building a home lab server on your own, we recommend checking out our starter guide, “How to build home lab server.”
The guide will show you everything you’ll need to consider before getting started. It also includes a list of components best suited for powering your virtual machines.
The Best Laptop for Running Virtual Machines (Windows/Mac Users) – Alternative #3
Just like with desktops, the recommended laptop for powering virtual machines is one that has at least an Intel Core i7 quad-core processor with 16 GB of RAM. Running virtual machines takes a lot of memory, so having at least 16 GB is the best practice. If you can get 32GB of RAM, that would be even better.
Where things get tricky is laptops aren’t as upgradeable. Some have 4 memory slots and an additional connection for a second ATA or NVMe SSD.
These are the best laptop computers for running VMware Workstation, Hyper-V, VirtualBox, and Parallels (if you have a Mac). But as with desktops, please read the reviews and compare the technical specification before purchasing any of these systems.
Laptop Options for Apple Users
First off, when you’re using a virtual machine for Windows 10 to do work at the office, you don’t want it to be sluggish. If your Guest OS runs slow, it isn’t worth using. Make sure you size your MacBook for the job to be done.
The best MacBooks for the virtualization of Windows 10 or Linux:
My Best Pick for Business Use
Apple MacBook Pro – Best Choice
Most Mac Power Users love this system. This MacBook is at the top of the list.
- Apple M1 Pro or M1 Max chip for a massive leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Up to 10-core CPU delivers up to 3.7x faster performance to fly through pro workflows quicker than ever
- 16-core Neural Engine for up to 11x faster machine learning performance - Up to 17 hour battery life
- Up to 32-core GPU with up to 13x faster performance for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera with advanced image signal processor for sharper video calls
Runner-up Business Use
Apple MacBook Pro – 1st Runner-up
The New Apple MacBook is one of the best laptops sold today. It has exceptional specs running Windows virtual machine software.
- M1 Pro model chip for a massive leap in CPU, GPU, and machine learning performance
- Up to 10-core CPU delivers up to 3.7x faster performance to fly through pro workflows quicker than ever
- 16-core Neural Engine for up to 11x faster machine learning performance - Up to 17 hour battery life
- Up to 32-core GPU with up to 13x faster performance for graphics-intensive apps and games
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera with advanced image signal processor for sharper video calls
My Best Pick Home Use
Apple MacBook Air – Best Choice
The MacBook Air has great features and is currently the best Mac laptop to run Windows on the go.
- All-Day Battery Life â Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Powerful Performance â Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation while using way less power.
- Superfast Memory â 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly and easily.
- Stunning Display â With a 13.3â Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
- Why Mac â Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.
Runner-up Home Use
Apple MacBook Air – 1st Runner up
The perfect MacBook Air laptop for running VM software is the 1st generation or 2nd generation, depending on your budget.
- All-Day Battery Life â Go longer than ever with up to 18 hours of battery life.
- Powerful Performance â Take on everything from professional-quality editing to action-packed gaming with ease. The Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU delivers up to 3.5x faster performance than the previous generation while using way less power.
- Superfast Memory â 8GB of unified memory makes your entire system speedy and responsive. That way it can support tasks like memory-hogging multitab browsing and opening a huge graphic file quickly and easily.
- Stunning Display â With a 13.3 inch Retina display, images come alive with new levels of realism. Text is sharp and clear, and colors are more vibrant.
- Why Mac â Easy to learn. Easy to set up. Astoundingly powerful. Intuitive. Packed with apps to use right out of the box. Mac is designed to let you work, play, and create like never before.
Laptops Options for Windows Users
My Best Pick for Business Use
Lenovo ThinkPad Laptop – Best overall
There are a few laptops that are best for running virtual machines. The Lenovo ThinkPad is a great option if you are looking for a laptop that is best for business.
- Disclosure: Brand New Computer has been resealed to upgrade the Memory or SSD. One-year warranty from the manufacturer. Three-year warranty for upgraded Memory/SSD for Issaquah Highlands Tech customers.
- Intel Octa-Core i7-11800H Processor (8 Cores 16 Threads, base clock speed 2.3GHz, Max turbo to 4.6GHz, 24MB L3 Cache); 128GB DDR4 Memory, 4TB PCIe M.2 SSD
- 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (one Always On), USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 , 2 x Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 40Gbps (support data transfer, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 1.4a), SD card reader, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet (2.5GbE RJ-45), Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm); Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX210 802.11AX (2 x 2) & Bluetooth 5.1
- 17.3" UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS, Anti-Glare, Non-Touch, 500 nits, LED Backlight, Narrow Bezel; NVIDIA RTX A2000 4GB GDDR6 Dedicated Graphics - Expandable to 4 monitors via HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 & Type-C. Max resolution of the External Monitors: 4K (3840*2160) @60Hz
- Windows 11 Professional 64-bit for Workstation, IR camera for Windows Hello - Ideal for School Education, Designers, Professionals, Small Business, Programmers, Streaming, Online Class, Remote Learning, Zoom Meeting, Video Conference, etc.
Runner-up for Business Use
Dell XPS Laptop – 1st Runner-up
The best Dell XPS laptop to run virtual machines has the Intel Core i7 processor, and the NVIDIA dedicated video card.
- ăPowerful PerformanceăThe Dell XPS 15 Business Laptop is equipped with 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H processor(24 MB cache, 10 cores, up to 4.90 GHz Turbo). Faster processors can access data faster without being blocked, allowing you to react quickly without waiting when processing large data or running demanding software, bringing a superior creative experience.
- ăGraphicsăEquipped with Intel Arc Graphics A370M, which is significantly improved compared to integrated graphics cards. The A3 series graphics cards can run most mainstream games smoothly at 1080p quality.Intel Arc A370M Graphics allow you to import, edit and publish videos in full 8K.
- ă15.6" FHD+ Displayă The stunning 4-sided InfinityEdge display enables a large 16:10 screen and 92.9% screen-to-body ratio. 1920x1200 resolution, 60Hz, Anti-Glare, 500 nit, InfinityEdge with excellent color imaging. Large screens allow you to enjoy the immersive multimedia experience in the area.Integrated Eyesafe display technology reduces harmful blue light while maintaining vivid color.
- ăUpgradeăEquipped with Up to 64GB DDR5 RAM (4800 MT/s )significantly improves computer performance. Up to 2TB M.2, PCIe NVMe SSD storage space, free to store various data. It has faster startup times and more efficient data access.
- ăWindows 11 Pro & Lifetime OfficeăStay up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements using Windows 11 Pro. Enjoy a modern and intuitive user interface, enhanced productivity tools, and advanced security features for a seamless computing experience.đđđđ§đ€đšđ€đđ© đđđđđđ đ„đ§đ€đđđšđđ€đŁđŁđđĄ 2021 - Make the most out of your Microsoft Office: Bring your ideas to life. Get your hands on Microsoft Office for free, forever.(Any upgrade issues please send message)
HP Envy Laptop – 2nd Runner-up – Good Choice
This is a good laptop for a smaller budget.
- ăMemory & StorageăMemory is 32GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once. Hard Drive is 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive which allows to fast bootup and data transfer and ample storage space
- ăFHD Touchscreenă17.3" diagonal FHD, IPS, WLED-backlit, multitouch-enabled, edge-to-edge glass (1920 x 1080)
- ăProcessor & Graphicsă Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor (4 Cores, 8 Threads, 12MB Cache, 1.2GHz to 4.7GHz), Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- ăTech SpecsăIntel Wi-Fi 6 AX 201 (2x2) | Fingerprint Reader | Bluetooth 5 | 3 x SuperSpeed USB Type-A | HDMI | Thunderbolt 4 with USB4 Type-C | SD Card Reader | Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack | Windows 10 Home 64bit
- ăIncluded in the packageăMousepad from PConline365
Windows Users Home Uses
The best laptops to run virtual machines have the Intel Core i7 processor and the NVIDIA dedicated video card.
Our Best Pick
ASUS VivoBook Laptop – Best overall
For the best ASUS laptops for virtualization projects, you need to consider these three aspects: performance, lightweight and screen quality. The ASUS laptop with excellent performance is the ASUS VivoBook.
- ăPowerful Processor ăEquipped with a 12th Gen Intel i3-1215U 6-core processor (2 Performance-cores and 4 Efficient-cores), reaching up to 4.4GHz with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, ensuring smooth and efficient multitasking.
- ăExpand Your Storage on UsăThis laptop includes 512GB of built-in storage and a FREE 512GB external hard drive, totaling 1TB of space
- ăAdvanced ConnectivityăFeaturing MediaTek Wi-Fi 6E (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3, this laptop provides faster and more reliable wireless connections for seamless internet browsing and device pairing.
- ăPortable and Stylish DesignăLightweight at 3.09 lbs and with a slim profile (0.7 inches thick), this Quiet Blue laptop is easy to carry around, making it perfect for on-the-go use.
- ăComplete Accessory Package for Ultimate Convenienceă Alongside the laptop, this package includes a set of valuable accessories to enhance your computing experience. You'll receive a 512GB external hard drive for additional storage, a microfiber cloth for keeping your screen clean and smudge-free, and a hotkey sticker sheet to speed up your workflow. Find your special voucher inside due to package size constraints. Claim your exclusive bundle with a simple scan, shipped at no extra cost!
Runner-up Home Use
Dell Inspiron Laptop – 1st Runner-up – Better Choice
The Dell Inspiron is the best general purpose laptop for doing just about anything.
- ăHigh Speed RAM And Enormous Spaceă32GB high-bandwidth RAM to smoothly run multiple applications and browser tabs all at once; 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 Solid State Drive for fast boot up and data transfer
- ăProcessoră13th Generation Intel Core i7-1355U Processor (10 Cores, 12 Threads, 12MB Intel Smart Cache, Base Frequency at 1.20 GHz, Up to 5.0 Ghz at Maximum Turbo Speed)
- ăDisplayă15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) Anti-glare LED Backlight Touchscreen Narrow Border WVA Display
- ăTech SpecsăWi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, 1 x USB-A 2.0, 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 1 x HDMI 1.4, 1 x Headphone & Microphone Audio Jack, 1 x Power jack, 1 x SD Card Reader, 1080P HD Webcam, Stereo speakers
- ăOperating SystemăWindows 11 Pro-Get all the features of Windows 11 Home operating system plus Mobile device management, Group Policy, Enterprise State Roaming, Assigned Access, Dynamic Provisioningm, Windows Update for Business, Kiosk mode, and Active Directory/Azure AD
HP Pavilion Laptop – 2nd Runner-up – Good Choice
The HP Pavilion is a very good laptop for general purpose use.
- Robust Performance: Powered by Intel Core i3-1215U processor with 6 cores and 8 threads, reaching speeds up to 4.4 GHz, paired with Intel UHD Graphics for efficient multitasking and everyday computing needs.
- Generous Storage and Memory: Comes with Up to 64 GB DDR4 RAM and a Up to 2 TB PCIe SSD, offering ample space and high-speed data access for all your files, applications, and multitasking needs.
- Stunning Display and Connectivity: Features a 15.6" touchscreen display, micro-edge, anti-glare display with 250 nits brightness, and connectivity options including Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2, USB Type-C, HDMI, and more.
- Enhanced Multimedia Experience: Equipped with dual speakers, HP True Vision 720p HD camera with noise reduction, and integrated dual array microphones, ensuring clear audio and video for calls and media consumption.
- Exclusive Bundle Inside: Alongside the laptop, this package includes a set of valuable accessories to enhance your computing experience. You'll receive a 512GB external hard drive for additional storage, a microfiber cloth for keeping your screen clean and smudge-free, and a hotkey sticker sheet to speed up your workflow. Find your special voucher inside due to package size constraints. Claim your exclusive bundle with a simple scan, shipped at no extra cost!
Best Practices for Virtual Machines Lab PCs
This list of best practices for running virtual machines on a desktop or laptop comes from years of experience in the field of virtualization technology.
I’ve built and supported 1000s of server virtual machines on power server hardware designed for virtualization and small virtual machine labs on desktops and laptops. And in every flavor and version of an operating system for Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Best practices to consider when deciding which PC configuration you get.
1. Remember, having more physical memory is best for performance. A VM reading from memory is always faster than reading from a disk, even from fast SSDs. When you shut off your machine, everything stored in memory (RAM) will be wiped clean so always save your work.
When you have a good amount of RAM, you don’t risk starving your main OS of VMs for memory.
2. The system also needs to have a couple of USB ports and an HDMI port so you can connect other devices to them. And It should also be able to support a lot of SSD storage upgrades via NVMe or ATA connectors.
3. The processor should have a lot of fast CPU cores. BTW, I’m not going to spend much time on whether you should get a system with an AMD CPU or an Intel CPU. I’ll leave that up to your preference – they both work well when combined with SSD storage and lots of memory.
For me, it all comes down to how you plan to use the virtual machines.
The best practice is CPUs with the most cores, highest GHz, lots of memory, and SSD storage.
Related guide: Best NUC or Mini PC for Virtualization
People also ask:
What is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine is best described as a virtual copy of a physical system. They run on a hypervisor, i.e. virtual machine software that emulates physical hardware.
A PC running a hypervisor can support multiple virtual machine copies of the hardware with a different OS running on each copy. The performance of your VMs greatly depends on the hardware configuration of the PC.
The benefit of running virtual machine software is it allows you to run another operating system that was not installed on your physical computer alongside your main operating system i.e. Windows, Linus, MacOS.
The best PC for virtual machines is defined as one with lots of virtual CPUs, RAM memory, and SSD storage space.
Do you need a good PC to run virtual machine software?
Do you really need the best PC to run virtual machines? It all depends on your application. If you are just trying to run a simple Windows or Linux app, you can get away with a used or cheap PC with less powerful CPUs and HDD storage. But don’t skimp on memory.
Is CPU or RAM more important for virtualization?
For best performance, a balance between CPU and memory is best. Memory is cheap, don’t skimp on it. But a good rule of thumb is to keep your physical host physical. This means only allocating one-half of your total RAM to VMs.
Memory is more of a factor for VMs running large applications and CPU is more of a factor for quickly processing transactions.
Both affect performance when there isn’t enough.
What is better VMware Workstation or Oracle VirtualBox?
Both VirtualBox and Workstation work. VirtualBox is free (open source), whereas VMware Workstation will cost you.
Another alternative of virtual machine software I like to use is Hyper-V. If you have Windows 10 Pro, Hyper-V comes built-in.
If you’re running Linux, KVM is another free (open source) option built into most Linux distributions.
Here’s where you can learn more about virtual machine software alternatives, including software for running Windows on Apple’s OS X.
What is the best laptop for virtual machines?
Check out the list above, but as a quick rule of thumb, the best laptops for virtual machines have a minimum of a Core i7 CPU. They’ll be quad-core or more and have lots of fast RAM (16 – 32GB) that you can throw at your VMs.
They also have a second slot for dedicated storage via NVMe or ATA connection.
What if I want more power for my lab?
If none of the powerhouses shown above is enough for you, then here’s a VMinstall guide about new and refurbished server hardware host virtualization from all the top server brands.
What is the best laptop for IT students?
When it comes to laptops for IT students, there are a few key factors to look for. First, the laptop should have a good amount of RAM and storage space in order to run complex software programs. Second, it should have a good graphics card to allow for graphics-intensive tasks such as 3D modeling. And finally, it should be a durable laptop that can withstand the wear and tear of daily use.
With those factors in mind, here are our picks for the best laptops for IT students:
- Apple MacBook Air â Best Choice
- Dell XPS Laptop â Best overall for Windows
- Dell Inspiron Laptopâ Next Best for Windows
Will these powerful PCs also work for a small business server?
Yes, you could make them work with changes to security and a good backup system. For better hardware, you could also consider a powerful built tower server that is specially designed for SMB.
Time to Pick a PC for Your Virtual Machines
Important: Make sure you have plenty of room for growth.
As we wrap up, I want to state one last time that your new PC for hosting virtual machines needs to be expandable.
Later on, I guarantee you will want to add upgraded WIFI adapters, network cards, graphics cards, SSDs, NVMe storage, CPUs, and USB devices.
Planning ahead will make your virtual machine lab more future-proof, especially if you are building virtual machines for business use cases that rely on keeping up with new software requirements.
The best desktop or laptop for running virtual machines can keep expanding if needed before you need to replace it with a new bigger system.
Look, these suggestions all have their Pros/Cons depending on what you plan to do with your virtual machine overall, but they are all good for building a virtual machine lab.
In conclusion, the best PC for virtual machines is waiting for you! Now it’s time to check out the reviews, compare the specs, and pick the winner…
Let us know in the comments which brand and model you decide to get and why.
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