VMware's Desktop Virtualization for Mac - Codenamed Fusion

Back on August 7, 2006, VMware announced a new product line that would enable Intel-based Macs to run x86 operating systems, such as Linux, Windows, NetWare, and Solaris, in virtual machines at the same time as Mac OS X. A demonstration of the product took place during the Apple Worldwide Developers Conference 2006 in San Francisco.

Until now, the Intel Mac market has clearly been dominated by a lean and mean, fast paced virtualization company - Parallels. In fact, Parallels just recently announced a new version of its Mac Desktop product that includes even more features and enhancements.

But the question being asked by so many for the past few months has been - where is VMware? People have been waiting to see what the virtualization software leader was going to bring to the table. And it looks like the answer may be one step closer to reality.

It seems as though VMware is going to be announcing their Intel-based Mac product soon enough. Codenamed 'Fusion' - it is currently in beta at build 33141.

VMware describes Fusion for Mac as a desktop application that lets the user create and run virtual machines on their Intel-based Mac.

The company claims that its first product for the new Intel Macs makes it easier than ever to take advantage of the security, flexibility, and portability of virtual machines. Fusion provides an intuitive user interface for creating virtual machines, and for running preconfigured virtual machines created with VMware Workstation, VMware Server, and ESX Server. With Fusion, you can run your favorite Windows applications on your Intel-based Mac. You can also download virtual machines from the VMware Technology Network (VMTN) Website, which has a growing library of virtual appliances with a wide range of pre-installed and preconfigured applications and operating systems.

Features of VMware Fusion:

• Fusion supports all Intel Mac hardware, including the new 64-bit Mac Pro and iMac.


• Your virtual machines can have multiple virtual processors, taking advantage of the Intel Core Duo chips in today's newest Intel Macs.


• Fusion supports high-speed USB 2.0 for a huge range of devices. Even devices that do not have drivers for Mac OS X will work in a virtual machine.


• Simply drag and drop files and folders in and out of your virtual machines to transfer your data.

Could the growing list of pre-configured virtual appliances push VMware's product over the top? Are the features being announced enough to sway you one way or the other? A lot of Mac users have already bought or tried Parallels' product - can VMware win these consumers over? Stay tuned.

Posted by David Marshall on October 17, 2006 07:21 PM