VMware Fusion

VMware Fusion is built and offered specifically to Mac users; it enables users with Intel-based Mac OS X (10.4.9+) machines to run Windows or Linux operating system applications side-by-side on their Macs. The virtualized applications support much of the functionality common to the Mac, including the ability to minimize Windows apps to the Dock, switch between Windows or Mac applications with Expos©, and drag and drop files between applications.

The platform provides the ability to create Virtual Machine packages, which, in addition to being usable by VMware Fusion, can also be used by the vendor's other later virtualization products, including VMware ACE and VMware Player. Conversely, virtual machines created with the vendor's Workstation, Server or VMware Infrastructure products can also be utilized in VMware Fusion. Once created, packages can be moved from machine to machine; and VMware Fusion additionally supports the vendor's Virtual Appliance Marketplace collection of custom virtual appliances (pre-installed and configured applications packaged with an operating system in a self-contained virtual machine for download).

Virtual Windows machines for use with VMware Fusion can be created via an included Windows install feature, where a wizard-based utility can generate the virtual machine based on the original Windows installation disks as provided by the user. Additionally, a conversion tool (VMware Converter) is offered by the vendor that allows current Windows users to create a virtual machine based on their existing Windows configuration (which can then be copied over to the Mac for use with VMware Fusion); and VMware Fusion can also create virtual machine renditions of existing Apple Boot Camp partitions.

VMware Fusion itself runs on a Mac OS X 10.4.9+ machine on Intel hardware, with the vendor noting that an Intel Mac with a Core 2 Duo or Xeon processor is required to run 64-bit guest operating systems. The operating system actually running in the virtual systems that run within VMware Fusion are called the "Guest" operating systems; with support offered for Windows, Linux (multiple), Novell, and Solaris. Both 32 and 64-bit guest operating systems are supported.

Other features include:

- Support for dual-core virtual machines

- Support for up to 8 GB memory per virtual machine

- Support for the running of multiple simultaneous VMs

- Support for access to platform-specific devices in virtual machines; such as proprietary or Windows-only devices

- Support for up to 10 virtual network interfaces

- Support for virtual machine snapshots, allowing the storage and retrieval of a point-in-time VM

- A Suspend feature that allows the state of a VM to be frozen for later resumption without requiring restarting of the VM

VMware Fusion is available now with a suggested price of $79.99. (a $20 rebate is available for a limited time). Visit the VMware Web site for further information.