Ask HN: Best desktop android running as VM?

4 points by botw 10y ago ↗ HN

Is there a good desktop android running as a VM? can run android APKs, terminal, copy/paste among apps and between host/guest windows. I need to type a lot into android apps from keyboard instead of tapping.

8 comments

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davsch77 10y ago ↗

You could run GenyMotion as a VM on any laptop. (https://www.genymotion.com)

Or if you just want Android a Lenova Yoga?

brudgers 10y ago ↗

Not sure it meets your task requirements, but typically you can pair a Bluetooth keyboard with an Android device.

GFischer 10y ago ↗

Have you tried Microsoft's Android Emulator?

https://www.visualstudio.com/en-us/features/msft-android-emu...

Genymotion could be another choice.

I only tried both, I remember the default VM being a bit of a pain, so I guess either should be better.

miguelrochefort 10y ago ↗

Microsoft's Android Emulator is by far my favorite.

walterbell 10y ago ↗

The Bluestacks emulator (90M users) is available on PC and Mac, http://www.bluestacks.com

jarcane 10y ago ↗

Be warned that the Bluestacks software is an insidious little thing. It works, mostly, but 1) the stack is out of date (it was still on 4.0 last I used it only a couple months ago), 2) it comes pre-installed with an awful spammy launcher and superfluous game software, 3) it floods the system with superfluous extra processes, and 4) it even attempts to fool you into thinking you've uninstalled it when you haven't.

You can fix 2) by installing an alternate launcher, and in the case of 4), the main uninstaller does nothing, you'll actually want to uninstall the "BlueStacks Notification Center" to actually get rid of it.

msh 10y ago ↗

Well a chromebook rund Android apps pretty well.

on_and_off 10y ago ↗

If it fits your usecase, Arc Welder works like a charm.