Using the Android-x86 Port as your Emulator

Step 1: Download and intall VirtualBox from Oracle
        https://www.virtualbox.org/

Step 2: Download an Android ISO
        http://code.google.com/p/androbox/downloads/list
        
        AndroBOX-2.3.r.1-generic.iso works great on my Macbook - Snow Leopard

Step 3: Create your new android vm in the VirtualBox Manager.

        Click on "new"
        Provide a name
        Select "Linux" as your OS type
        Select Linux 2.6 (32 or 64) 32 works on my Macbook Pro
        Set the main memory to 512MB
        Create a new hard disk of approx 2 GB
        For the Virtual Disk Creation Wizard, select VHD for Virtual Hard Disk
        Select fixed size for the disk and create a disk of 2 GB

Step 4: Configure your new android vm in the VirtualBox Manager.
        
        Click on "Settings"
        Click on the Display tab and increase the video RAM to 32 MB
        Click on "Storage" and set the ISO image to the CDROM (use little CD icon)
        Click on "Network" and set the Network Adapter to Bridged Adapter "en1:AirPort"

Step 5: Start and run your new vm.

        Click on "Start" 
        Select a run mode from the GRUB menu - MacBook uses Vesa mode (VGA)
        Find the "Dev Tools" icon in the applications menu
        Find the "Terminal Emulator" application and open it
        In the terminal window type "su" to get supervisor priveledges. There is no password.
        Type "netcfg" and write down the IP address of the emulator (on eth0 line)
        Leave the emulator running and move back to the mac side by pressing LFT Shift + command

Step 6: Connect ADB with the emulator

        Open a terminal window on the macbook or windows system
        Change the directory to /android/platform-tools
        Run ./adb connect <IP address of emulator> You should see connected to... if successful
        Close the terminal window

Step 7: Create or use a project in Eclipse 

        Use Android 2.3 level 10 if you are using AndroBOX-2.3.r.1-generic.iso
        Select to Run the project and click on run configurations
        Click on the little icon to create a new configuration
        Enter a project name
        Click on the "Target Tab" and select the "Manual" radio button
        Click run to run the project and select the emulator from the top of the window

Step 8: Look at your new fast emulator for your running application!
       
       You will need to start and reconnect the emulator every time you
       reboot. Make sure to double-check the IP address is you switch 
       networks/locations.