Anyone tried running Lightroom in Linux VM?

I asked this question on the Lightroom vs Photoshop thread to no answers, so I ask here, in the hardware section (I know it's a VM, but come on!).

I currently am using Windows 7 64 bit with a Ubuntu 10.10 VM. I would like to reverse this and install a windows 7 VM in Maverick Meerkat. My old computer was too slow to attempt this so I just had a dual boot with Ubuntu and Win 7, but this, if it works, will be awesome!

Also, along with Lightroom, has anyone tried Netflix? From a quick google search, it seems netflix works fine.

I could also make a Windows XP SP3 64bit VM if that's tried and tested.

I'm not being lazy, I just want to ask if anyone's done it before I go and turn my system inside out - literally.

Thank you!!

You can run any Windows software in a virtual machine running a Windows OS. There's no compatibility difference besides a performance penalty (overhead from emulating a hardware architecture in software).

Or you may pick up a native linux application to replace lightroom.

The performance penalty is what I'm wondering about? Given how Lightroom brings a native host OS to a crawl (well at least the older hardware), I'm just wondering if it's even worth a shot?

I presume allotting it a lot of RAM is a pre-req.


EDIT: Replacing Lightroom is not an option. I've given those free options a shot and I wouldn't touch them in favor of Lightroom again.

powerslave wrote in post #11115918
The performance penalty is what I'm wondering about? Given how Lightroom brings a native host OS to a crawl (well at least the older hardware), I'm just wondering if it's even worth a shot?

Just try running lightroom in a VM on your Windows install. Performance-wise, it doesn't matter which OS host the VM (at least it shouldn't).

cedm wrote in post #11115988
Performance-wise, it doesn't matter which OS host the VM (at least it shouldn't).

Sorry, I meant when you run LR natively.

Anyway yeah, will give it a shot. But it'll have to be with an XP license now,

powerslave wrote in post #11116052
Sorry, I meant when you run LR natively.

Anyway yeah, will give it a shot. But it'll have to be with an XP license now,

Well, running an application through a virtual machine basically means you'll be running two operating systems. No matter how turn it, that will suck up a lot more RAM and CPU cycles than running native applications only.

If that's the path you want to follow, then your best bet is to use the lightest OS Lightroom can run on. If that's XP, go for it.

Unless you really want to use Windows 7, but then I don't get your logic of running Linux in the first place...

cedm wrote in post #11116293
Well, running an application through a virtual machine basically means you'll be running two operating systems. No matter how turn it, that will suck up a lot more RAM and CPU cycles than running native applications only.

That's why I'm wondering if anyone's done it with worthwhile results and on what kind of system.

Well my concern for using windows xp over 7 is the times I will use it to access Netflix (silverlight) and that means having it connected to the internet, where I feel 7 > XP in terms of security. But I guess you're right in that I won't be going to many websites other than Netflix through the VM so that becomes a moot point.

The logic for running Linux is simple, the native terminal, security, a development environment that I'm used to and snappy responses as ever. I said I would prefer 7 over xp, not over Linux.

Right now I'm using the 10.10 VM for development and just wondering what others have experienced with the Windows VM. I can't play full screen youtube videos right now through the ubuntu VM. Might have to try tweaking some settings but the usual suspects have been set (virtualization/RAM/Di​sk space/graphics memory etc.)

I currently run a Windows 7 box with an Ubuntu VM for school programming and website development. Why did I choose to run the Ubuntu off of the Windows 7?

When I'm at home, I mostly use my computer for: gaming, word processing, photo editing and other random tasks. I also do web development and programming. When looking at the load of what I use, I use Windows 7 more than the Ubuntu, so I chose to keep Windows as my primary and run Ubuntu in a VM. I have an Intel core i7 Quad core with 8 GB of ram and give the Ubuntu installation 2GB of RAM and two cores. Neither machine slows down and I can run both side by side on a dual monitor set up.

My recommendation would be to look at what your primary needs are and leave those to the host OS. Your VM should probably be the one that you don't need the most IMO.

Ah, many years have passed since I posted this topic last and googling for "lightroom performance in windows virtual machine" returned this as the first result.

Going through a similar dilemma this time. Although many things have changed, mainly there might be better lightroom alternatives for Linux now. I'm about to try out: Aftershot Pro and Darktable in Linux Mint/Lubuntu.

If that works, excellent. If not, then I'll give this VM business a shot.

Lightroom 3.6 runs very well under wine, much better than VM. New version 4+ require some extra work but performance isn't there.