You can then run Linux and test it on the virtual PC without affecting your current setup at all. Using Virtualisation software you create a virtual PC and install Linux on that. An example of usage: – let’s say you want to test Linux but don’t want to remove your current set up and install Linux on your computer, nor do you want to make a dual boot system. MS Virtual PC & VM Ware are two examples of virtualising software. XRoar (see above under cross-platform) Mac (pre OS X) Virtual CoCo - A CoCo 2 emulator for the Macintosh. you can run different operating systems with different software installed at the same time – or test out different drivers / application software / utilities without changing the configuration of your real system. The Windows-based VCC emulator has also been shown to work under Linux using the WINE virtualization software. A virtual computer has the advantage of allowing the user to work with different configurations on the same physical machine. This allows all types of software that can work with this hardware to be installed on the ‘virtual’ computer.

a full simulation of the hardware) on your computer using software.

Windows emulator for mac wikipedia