Good Linux host for Win 7 guest

[geoguy09]

Hi,

I am new to Linux and looking for a stable 64bit current distro that supports VirtualBox with few issues. I will be running Win 7 Prof x64 as a guest. Here are some factors:
Intel processor 2.5ghz, 6gb RAM on a 3 yo Dell Latitude e6400. I may split the RAM at 4GB Host OS and 2GB Guest OS.

I plan to use this as a future primary daily computer, but my job requires MS Win, as some of the scientific software I use does not work in Wine (I tested it already).

I am looking for responses from people who have Linux hosts and use Win guests successfully, with few issues on a regular basis.

The distros I have considered and looked at are:
Fedora 17, Lin Mint Cinnamon, OpenSUSE 12.3, CentOS 6.3, Debian (all x64). However, I am open to other suggestions.

I have been unable to find the proper distro support to decide. I currently have an old Centrino Toshiba with Xubuntu installed, which I am learning Linux on. I have extensive experience using and administering MS Win and OSX, but not Linux.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[stefan.becker]

Best supported here and greatest Community have Ubuntu and OpenSuse.

Check it yourself, both are good for this job.

But are you really sure that your program runs in a vm? Remember, that in a VM you dont have direct hardware access. For example VGA access may be a problem for CAD system or games.

[geoguy09]

The software I use should work. They are both gas analysis apps that are for downloading instrument data and exporting them as .cvs files for spreadsheet programs. There are only two other programs that are large, one is Adobe Acrobat Standard and MS Office 2007. Libreoffice botches the formatting for office files (I've tried it).
I may consider Opensuse. I forgot to list that I'd prefer a Linux Distro that has at least 2 year support on a release.

[Perryg]

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS has support for 3 years and 5 years on server.
Linux Mint Cinnamon is just really Ubuntu with a different DT manager. Not knocking that I use it as well and they have gotten it fairly stable finally.
In any case you should try before you buy (so to speak). You said the magic word of downloading instrument data. Does this mean from a device?

I have found that the Debian based OSes usually have a better time with VirtualBox. Not that RPM aren't fine, but I see more issues.

[geoguy09]

Ubuntu 12.04 LTS has support for 3 years and 5 years on server.
Linux Mint Cinnamon is just really Ubuntu with a different DT manager. Not knocking that I use it as well and they have gotten it fairly stable finally.
In any case you should try before you buy (so to speak). You said the magic word of downloading instrument data. Does this mean from a device?

I have found that the Debian based OSes usually have a better time with VirtualBox. Not that RPM aren't fine, but I see more issues.

I've spent a few days comparing some distros. I had diffculty getting CentOS 6.3 to install as a guest in VB with Win 7 host. However, I am finally considering CentOS 6.3, LM Deb XFCE, or Debian 7. I am also considering dual booting Windows 7 and Linux, rather than W7 in VB.

The data is mostly vacuum and gas readings collected with a Lantec GEM and flare gas readings, which are downloaded as cvs files.

I plan to use the Linux Distro as the primary OS but will need to boot to Win7 a few times a week for work. I do not want to use separate computers and my reasoning for XFCE desktop is I am hoping to get more battery time while reading pdf's when I travel (which I do often). (Eventually I will get a tablet).