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Since Android is based on Linux, is it possible to compile VirtualBox to run in Android? (End goal: Run WinXP as a virtual machine on my Android tablet). If not possible, is it possible to run WinXP as a virtual machine in any way on an Android tablet?

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migrated from superuser.com Sep 30 '12 at 20:41

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VirtualBox uses virtualization, which isn't possible when the host device (Android tablet) uses a different CPU architecture than the guest device (x86 PC running windows XP). Since your android tablet almost certainly has an ARM CPU, the x86 CPU would have to be emulated, which is massively slower than virtualization. It doesn't seem like it would be practical at all.

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Thank you for that explanation. I've been working with Google TV forgot that the Tablets don't use x86. – StackOverflowed Sep 30 '12 at 17:11
What about running another Android (or Debian ARM)? – f.ardelian Apr 30 at 14:29
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Have a look at qemu. Apparently it's known to run on ARM. Running XP (if it even works) is probably not going to be a pleasant experience due to what's noted by Chris Herbert and the probable lack of a screen/pointer driver. If you really want to do it maybe wait for the Intel Atom (x86) based tablets. There should be some Atom based Windows 8 tablets about now. The androids are coming soon.

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