If you can afford it I would rather go with a clean Windows VPS and then install my SEO tools.
It will give you maximum power and flexibility.
D.
I've got a load of tools gathered, but on regular basis I use scrapebox and some automatic link posters (for link building). Serp Attacks, Traffic Travies, google keywords and Domain Samurai for keyword analysis (but I gladly exchange them for one good keyword analysis tool if I find one).
D.