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DevNine · Dec 22, 2006, 03:12 AM

VMware Virtualization for Mac Beta Program

The new VMware desktop product for the Mac, codenamed Fusion, allows Intel-based Macs to run x86 operating systems, such as Windows, Linux, NetWare and Solaris, in virtual machines at the same time as Mac OS X. It is built on VMware's rock-solid and advanced desktop virtualization platform that is used by over four million users today.
Available as of 22 December. Download the beta from Fusion Beta Program from the images above.

FL!PNEUS · Dec 22, 2006, 03:25 AM

Finally, I can't wait to finally throw Parallels off of my MacBook.

Macola · Dec 22, 2006, 02:59 PM

You can't use your BootCamp partition yet, though I'm sure that's in the works.

legacyb4 · Dec 22, 2006, 04:07 PM

I thought Parallels generally got thumbs up for their virtualization solution?

Originally Posted by FL!PNEUS

Finally, I can't wait to finally throw Parallels off of my MacBook.

goMac · Dec 22, 2006, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by legacyb4

I thought Parallels generally got thumbs up for their virtualization solution?

VMWare's code base has been around longer, been more tested, and generally has more power user features. For example, Fusion already has 64 bit support and Parallels does not.

Edit: It also seems to have full USB 2.0 device support, even for video devices.

Macola · Dec 22, 2006, 05:31 PM

Originally Posted by goMac

VMWare's code base has been around longer, been more tested, and generally has more power user features. For example, Fusion already has 64 bit support and Parallels does not.

Edit: It also seems to have full USB 2.0 device support, even for video devices.

I'm tempted to try it, except I don't want to mess with yet another activation/license for XP...

djpluv · 08:23 PM

I was gonna give it a shot, but it won't mount my .dmg disk image of Windows XP... looks to only support .iso images

EDIT: Nevermind... used Disk Utility to convert to iso image.

TheoCryst · 06:26 PM

Installed it on my system, and I'm gonna give Windows 2000 a shot with it (I already have a Win2K disk image from parallels).

EDIT: Is there any way to export my Parallels image to something VMWare-compatible? I can't seem to find one.

moonmonkey · Dec 22, 2006, 09:52 PM

is it faster than Parallels?

goMac · Dec 22, 2006, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by moonmonkey

is it faster than Parallels?

I'm not sure, I'm running VMWare with Linux, and haven't tried Linux in Parallels. The first thing I get is a warning that debug mode is enabled in the beta version, can't be disabled, and will cause a bit of a speed loss.

Art Vandelay · Dec 22, 2006, 11:07 PM

Overall, it seems a little slower than Parallels. Although there are some points during the Win XP install process where it seemed faster.

As GoMac mentioned, this version is locked into debug mode.

FL!PNEUS · Dec 22, 2006, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by legacyb4

I thought Parallels generally got thumbs up for their virtualization solution?

Their Windows virtualization is top notch (I love the Coherence stuff et all), but that's what I'm not really interested in. I want to virtualize Linux and Solaris, and VMware's support for those operating systems is so much better. And I can use the Virtual Appliance Marketplace to download all sorts of interesting virtual machines.

utw-Mephisto · Dec 23, 2006, 04:34 AM

I am working with vmware for years, I am even certified etc. but for my macbook I still rather use parallels ... simply its smaller and takes less resources ... and coherence ? Damn I don't want to miss it .. I am just using Windows for certain applications such as Visio anyway ... so no need to switch to vmware .. But I am glad they finally go with the flow and get a version out for Mac ..

Toyin · Dec 23, 2006, 09:27 AM

I downloaded Fusion, but didn' install it after using the latest beta of Parallels.

When VMware has a coherence equivalent and can launch IE7 in 5 seconds (from suspension) like it can in the latest beta. I will take a closer look at it.

Walker · Dec 23, 2006, 09:42 AM

Does Fusion support the graphics card for gameplay? What about using an intel iMac's built in isight to video conference with messenger?

utw-Mephisto · Dec 23, 2006, 10:14 AM

Gaming : was never possible on vmware ... isight video : I don't think so (but not sure)

Art Vandelay · Dec 23, 2006, 02:47 PM

Originally Posted by utw-Mephisto

isight video : I don't think so (but not sure)

Works fine. You just need to install Apple's Boot Camp drivers first to use it.

goMac · Dec 23, 2006, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Walker

Does Fusion support the graphics card for gameplay? What about using an intel iMac's built in isight to video conference with messenger?

The PC and Linux versions have beta support for the graphics cards. I'm sure Mac support won't be far off.

The Godfather · Dec 23, 2006, 07:59 PM

In my experience, VMWare feels 30+ times slower than Parallels, and makes everything else in the Mac side behave like molasses. Note that my MB has only 512MB of RAM.

TheoCryst · Dec 24, 2006, 12:16 PM

Yeah, it seems quite a bit slower so far, but it may be due to the fact that it's locked into Debug mode, like goMac mentioned. And yes, the iSight camera works if you install Apple's driver (that comes with Boot Camp), but the video card does not yet.