When comparing VirtualBox w/ any Linux distro + Terminator vs z/Scope Terminal Emulator, the Slant community recommends z/Scope Terminal Emulator for most people. In the question“What are the best terminal emulators for Windows?” z/Scope Terminal Emulator is ranked 24th while VirtualBox w/ any Linux distro + Terminator is ranked 31st. The most important reason people chose z/Scope Terminal Emulator is:
z/Scope supports tabs and tab-based navigation.
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Pros
Pro Runs Pre-configured virtual machines
Allows you to run your virtual machines pre-configured by you or others.
Virtual Box versions for:
-- Windows 7/8/10
-- All Linux installations
-- MAC OS x
-- Solaris 10/11
Virtual OSs include:
-- Oracle Linux 5/6/7.x (RHEL clones)
-- Solaris10/11
-- Occassionally a Windows Beta
Oracle itself provides many free VMs, pre-configured with various software stacks and hands-on lab materials for learning, geared toward. These have helped me earn three of my Oracle certifications:
-- Oracle Database development
-- Oracle DBA
-- MySQL development
-- Java Standard/Enterprise development
-- Big data
-- Webcenter portal & others
Pre-installed software in or more of the various stacks includes:
-- Oracle Database 11/12
-- JDK/Eclipse
-- Enterprise Mgr
-- MySQL
-- WebLogic
-- Cloudera, etc.
Pro Supports modern shells
Whether you prefer zsh, bash, or fish, Linux will support it.
Pro Isolated from Windows
VirtualBox provides almost total isolation from Windows running underneath it, removing a lot of security issues.
Pro Free / Libre Software
While the OS underneath it is proprietary and does spy on you or actively violate your freedom, so to speak, you can still have a little piece of mind knowing that VirtualBox (your Linux distro and shell of choice) as well as Terminator are all FOSS.
Pro Supports tabs, making for easier navigation
z/Scope supports tabs and tab-based navigation.
Pro Affordable
Licenses are permanent. Price starts at $46. First year support is free. Continuing subscription, it's not mandatory to renew maintenance services.
Pro Host Access
It supports IBM TN3270E / TN3270 emulation, IBM TN5250E, UNIX VT100-420, SSH and secure FTP integration.
Pro Cross OS
Windows and Web-based editions.
Cons
Con Install a whole operating system for one program
You would need to install the entire Linux distribution just for one single program.
Con Slightly slower than just running Linux
The Windows + VirtualBox layer introduces some overhead that wouldn't be present if Linux were installed directly on the machine.
Con Not free
z/Scope is not free.