"Windows 7 but will probably partition the disk(s) to allow me to set up Linux for the first time"
Sounds like you are going for a dual boot...
virtual machines generally made dual boot redundant unless you really want to use it for some reason...
Also, if someone does hack either your running windows or your running linux, they can compromise and damage both systems which can come as an unpleasant surprise...
Of course they can usually do that if they want to enough whatever configuration you have...
