Is it still possible to run virtualization software like Virtualbox on processors that don't support Vt-d? I understand that they won't have direct access to the peripheral hardware like video acceleration, ethernet, etc with passthrough. I'm not particularly concerned with those though. I ordered a Thinkpad x220 with the 2410m CPU, which does not have support for Vt-d. I'd like to be able to use it to run light linux Vm's for when I'm traveling though.
Wikipedia info on Vt-d http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VT-d#I.2FO_MMU_virtualization_.28AMD-Vi_and_VT-d.29
CPU info http://www.notebookcheck.net/Intel-Core-i5-2410M-Notebook-Processor.45317.0.html
I've already got a capable 2720qm machine/12gb of RAM that I use for VM's, but it's much bigger and less portable- running VM's on the x220 would be ideal, but I'm not sure that CPU has the needed support.
Best Answer
Yes, it's possible. The important feature to have is VT-x support. Without this, virtualizing an OS like Windows XP will be slower, and you won't be able to use others, such as Snow Leopard, at all*. VT-d is some kind of bonus extension to VT-x that will enable the virtualized OS to have direct access to hardware functions.
*Not that you'd even think of emulating Snow Leopard, of course.