WinUAE is very good for making WHDLoad installs via IPF-Images.
WinUAE is very good for setting up a new harddisk for the Amiga 1200 for example.
But to answer the question about real hardware:
Is a picture of a naked woman the same for you like a real naked woman in front of you? If you say YES, then you need no REAL hardware. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D