What linux distro would be best to use to dual boot with windows 8.1 on a laptop? My PC has Intel Pentium b960 with intel hd graphics (2nd gen). Would you recommend Ubuntu or Linux Mint Cinnamon? I have 4GB of ram… This laptop is like 4yrs old.
Linux Mint is friendlier for new users coming from Windows. Spend some time and make live disks for Cinnamon and Mate so you can choose before you install. I prefer Mate, but Cinnamon is a lot sleeker. Do image your Win installation before installing anything. Lots of info and how-to’s at their forums: https://forums.linuxmint.com/
I would go for FreeBSD
If your system can handle it, I would run only Windows and other OS’s in a VM.
That way you don’t have to reboot if you want to use another OS.
I don’t think it can handle it 
this laptop don’t support the intel virtualization thing.
You don’t need hardware virtualization.
All you need is the software for it.
I use OracleVM for it, but there are others ofcourse.
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/server-storage/virtualbox/downloads/index.html
You will need enough ram as you basically are using two complete PC’s at the same time.
If you want to use secure boot, you are limited to distros that have the Microsoft certification. Ubuntu does, Mint doesn’t (although there seem to be ways round this).