I currently have an Arch Linux setup that I really enjoy, but I'm having trouble installing certain programs. Ubuntu offers dedicated support and installers for these programs, so I'm wondering if it's better to dual boot Ubuntu or run it in a virtual machine for just these specific applications.
5 Answers
True happiness in Linux comes from solving problems! Arch can do nearly anything, but it takes a bit more effort. If you're willing to troubleshoot, you might find solutions for those programs.
If the programs you're trying to run are resource-intensive, dual booting might be the way to go. Virtual machines can struggle with heavy applications because they share resources with the host OS. If you let us know the specific programs you're dealing with, there might be workarounds available for Arch too!
You might find this resources page helpful! Just a tip: always make regular backups, test things in a VM first, and make sure to understand commands before executing them!
Unless there's a compelling reason not to, I'd suggest using a VM. It's typically easier and safer for testing things without affecting your main system.
If you’re looking for an alternative, consider using distrobox to create a Ubuntu container. It has less overhead than a full VM, and you can run graphical applications while keeping your main system intact.

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