Virtual CPUs
How many processors an instance gets, and why it's fine to be generous.
The Virtual CPUs row at the top of the Processor & memory card sets how many processors Linux sees. Use the stepper arrows; the number beside them is the current value.
How many to choose#
The stepper goes from 1 up to this Mac's number of logical cores — the caption under it tells you how many that is.
If you've never changed it, an instance gets half of your Mac's cores, but at least 2 and never more than 8. That's a good default for almost everything; compiling large projects is the main reason to go higher.
Applying it#
Click Apply at the bottom of the card. The change takes effect the next time the instance starts; a green Saved confirms it. Revert puts back what was saved.