If you’re a Mac user, you might wonder how to setup a Ubuntu virtual machine on Mac. The structure is accessible, and the user can configure and start using it in no time by following the steps mentioned below.
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What is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine is a computer file, typically called an image, that behaves like an actual computer.
In other words, creating a virtual machine translates to creating a separate computer within your computer.
You can install any operating system on a virtual machine, including Ubuntu—one of the most popular Linux distributions.
Setting up a virtual machine is the way to go if you want to try out Ubuntu without affecting your current macOS installation.
Why use a virtual machine?
You might want to use a virtual machine for a few reasons. Maybe you want to test out a new operating system, or you need to run an application that isn’t compatible with your primary operating system. Whatever the reason, setting up a virtual machine is pretty easy to do.
A virtual machine is a simulated computer. You can install an operating system on it and run it just like you would on a real computer.
The big difference is that a virtual machine doesn’t have its hardware. Instead, it uses the hardware of the host computer.
It has a few advantages. First, it’s much cheaper than buying a separate computer for each different operating system you want to use.
It also takes up less space since you don’t need to store multiple computers physically.
And finally, it’s more convenient since you can access all your virtual machines from a single host computer.
What are the benefits of using a virtual machine?
Using a virtual machine has several benefits.
It can run an operating system within your current operating system, which can be helpful for testing or using software incompatible with your primary operating system.
Virtual machines can also run multiple operating systems simultaneously on the same computer, known as “multi-booting.”
How to set up a virtual machine on Ubuntu
If you want to run Ubuntu on your Mac, you can set up a virtual machine using VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop.
It will allow you to run Ubuntu side-by-side with your existing Mac OS installation, and you can switch between the two operating systems as needed.
- You’ll need to download and install VMware Fusion or Parallels Desktop to set up a virtual machine on Ubuntu.
- Once you’ve done this, you can launch the program and follow the instructions to create a new virtual machine.
- When prompted, select “Linux” as the operating system and “Ubuntu” as the version. Follow the remaining prompts to finish setting up your virtual machine.
- Once your virtual machine is up and running, you can install Ubuntu onto it just like you would on a physical computer.
- To do this, insert the Ubuntu installation disk into your computer’s CD drive or connect to the Ubuntu ISO image, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
- Once Ubuntu is installed, you can reboot your computer and choose whether to start Ubuntu or Mac OS from the boot menu.
How to set up a virtual machine on Mac
A virtual machine is a way to go if you want to run Linux on your computer but don’t want to give up your beloved MacOS.
With a virtual machine, you can install another operating system — in this case, Ubuntu — on top of your existing OS, giving you the best of both worlds.
Here’s how to set up a virtual machine running Ubuntu on your Mac:
- Download and install VirtualBox for MacOS.
- Download the Ubuntu ISO file.
- Launch VirtualBox and click “New.”
- Enter a name for your virtual machine (we’ll use “Ubuntu VM” for this example), select “Linux” as the type and choose “Ubuntu” as the version.
- Click “Continue.”
- On the next screen, leave the default memory allocation (2048 MB) and click “Continue.”
- On the next screen, select “Create a virtual hard disk now.” Click “Create.”
- Select “VDI (VirtualBox Disk Image)” as the type and click “Continue.”
- Select “Dynamically allocated” as the storage method and click “Continue.”
- Enter the amount of space you want to allocate for your Ubuntu VM (we’ll use 30 GB for this example) and click “Create.”
- Click the start button in VirtualBox and select your Ubuntu ISO file when prompted. The installation process will begin; follow the prompts to complete it.
What are the different types of virtual machines?
There are two main types of virtual machines: system virtual machine and process virtual machine.
System virtual machines provide a complete system platform that supports the execution of a guest operating system.
In contrast, a process virtual machine is designed to run a single program, which means it can’t support a guest operating system.
System virtual machines can be divided into full virtualization, para-virtualization, and hardware-assisted virtualization.
Full virtualization is where the guest operating system is unaware that it is running on a virtual machine.
Para-virtualization is where the guest operating system is aware that it is running on a virtual machine and consequently can be optimized for running in that environment.
Hardware-assisted virtualization uses special CPU instructions to improve performance.
There are also various types of process virtual machines, but the two most common are application sandboxes and language sandboxes.
Application sandboxes allow you to run multiple programs isolated from each other.
In contrast, language sandboxes will enable you to run programs written in different languages side-by-side without affecting each other.
Which virtual machine is best for me?
The best virtual machine for your needs depends on a few factors, including the operating system you want to run, the amount of RAM and storage you need, and whether you need support for multiple processors.
If you want to run a single lightweight operating system, like Ubuntu, on your Mac, then something like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion might be a good choice.
If you need to run multiple heavy-duty operating systems, or if you need support for multiple processors, then something like Oracle VM VirtualBox or VMware Workstation might be a better choice.
Conclusion
In this article, we have learned how to setup a Ubuntu virtual machine on Mac. We have also known about the various benefits of using a virtual machine. We hope that you found this information to be helpful. Do share your thoughts and experience in the comment section below.
