Installing in a VM under Windows: which virtualization software to use?

[AussieGuy]

In order to access my workplace's networked devices (shared drives, printers etc) I need to run Windows: our IT department have pretty much nailed everything down to be Windows only. So I'm going to have to run my linux as a client VM under a windows host. My question is: of all the VM software available - VirtualBox, VMWare Player, VMWare Desktop, etc - which will give me the best experience? I'm about to acquire a new machine which will run our SOE: 64 bit Windows 7; and on 8GB RAM. Our IT Department would prefer I use a FOSS option, but I'm sure I can make a case for them to install a commercial VM if that would be best.

Anyway, if anybody has any advice or experience to share, I'd be delighted to hear it!

Thanks,
-A.

[impliedconsent2]

If it were me, I'd just use VirtualBox and be done with it. The build will be fairly painless.