VMware prepares Fusion dump for Mac crowd

Get it while it's cheap

By Ashlee Vance, 2nd August 2007

If you're at all interested in VMware's Fusion software that lets you run multiple operating systems on a Mac, you may want to pony up for the code now. On Monday, VMware will officially start selling Fusion, ending a very drawn out beta period. The software should retail at $79, but you can still order it ahead of time for $39.

Fusion brings VMware's virtualization technology to the Mac. It lets customers run Windows, Linux and Solaris on Jobsian kit without a reboot. This OS support extends all the way up to 64-bit code, including Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition.

Beyond just running the OSes, you can shift text and files between Mac OS X and Linux or Solaris. You'll also find find some of VMware's backup tools such as a snapshot function that rolls unresponsive software back to a more pleasant state.

VMware's software goes up against Parallels Desktop for Mac, which has shipped for 16 months. The Parallels crew argue that they've been updating their software at pace to meet user needs, while VMware is just getting its code wet on the Mac.

For full browbeating and the skinny on a new beta of the next Parallels Desktop for Mac rev, travel here. ®

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Posted Friday 3rd August 2007 17:10 GMT

Joe

Parallels DOES have "Unity"

But it's called "Coherence". Windows apps in the Dock, Mac apps in Windows, and all windows together on the same desktop...

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rN9jNNeEd98

I've not delved into Fusion, but it sounds the same to me.

Posted Friday 3rd August 2007 17:10 GMT

Taras

RE: It doesn't run on Linux

Where did you get that fact? It even works for running 64bit linux in smp, neither of which parallels can do.

Posted Friday 3rd August 2007 15:37 GMT

Anonymous Coward

Vista Ultimate is the ONLY Vista OS that you can run on Virtual computers

"Performance..." poster has it wrong.

got it backwards. Ultimate is the only Vista OS that is licensed to run on Virtual computers.

From the Vista EULA:

VISTA HOME BASIC & HOME PREMIUM:

USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. You may not use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system.

VISTA ULTIMATE:

USE WITH VIRTUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES. You may use the software installed on the licensed device within a virtual (or otherwise emulated) hardware system on the licensed device. If you do so, you may not play or access content or use applications protected by any Microsoft digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other Microsoft rights management services or use BitLocker. We advise against playing or accessing content or using applications protected by other digital, information or enterprise rights management technology or other rights management services or using full volume disk drive encryption.