VMWare offering 50% off Fusion 2.0 for Cyber Monday

***AppleInsider*** · 12-01-2008, 09:37 AM

Parallels rival VMWare is holding a one-day sale on its Fusion 2.0 virtualization product for the Mac, which cuts the price in half to $39.99. However, Parallels users are being enticed to switch through an additional offer that brings the cost of Fusion 2.0 down to just $10.

Online retailer Amazon.com is among the resellers participating in VMWare's Cyber Monday offer and is currently selling Fusion 2.0 for $39.99 -- 50 percent off its suggested retail price of $79.99. MacMall is also listed among those resellers who plan to offer the 1-day discount, but had not updated pricing on its website as of press time.

Meanwhile, VMWare is courting users of rival software Parallels Desktop to switch platforms through an additional $30 rebate that knocks the cost of Fusion 2.0 down to just $10. To cash in on this deal, you can purchase Fusion 2.0 from VMWare's website using coupon code "CyberMondayDeal" and then submit your $30 rebate request on line. You must have proof of ownership of Parallels software to claim the rebate.

Both offers are valid through 11:59 PM Pacific Time this evening.

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

aplnub · 12-01-2008, 09:56 AM

For $10, you can't go wrong if you are curious. For $40 and not own either of them, you still can't go wrong. Very nice deal.

dfiler · 12-01-2008, 10:21 AM

$10 plus the cost of Windows...

sebduggan · 12-01-2008, 10:23 AM

The terms on the rebate state:

This rebate is not valid with any other VMware sponsored offers

So you either get the 50%, or the $30 rebate. I went for the 50%...

maCar · 12-01-2008, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfiler

$10 plus the cost of Windows...

not really, you can use the same copy you purchased to use with parallels...

dfiler · 12-01-2008, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maCar

not really, you can use the same copy you purchased to use with parallels...

Yep, my bad. Those people would have already bought windows.

The relative cost of windows seems relevant, but I'm not sure exactly how...

**JeffDM** · 12-01-2008, 11:01 AM

Cyber Monday is a lame term invented by marketing types, I think to justify their salaries. It's not the biggest day of sales. Then again, Black Friday isn't the biggest day of sales either, hasn't been for a long time, but people continue to believe that.

.mac · 12-01-2008, 11:28 AM

hey which one is better ? i saw some comparisons where Parallels got good marks than vmware...
and those reviews are really old like a year.

Dr.Joe · 12-01-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sebduggan

The terms on the rebate state:

This rebate is not valid with any other VMware sponsored offers

So you either get the 50%, or the $30 rebate. I went for the 50%...

Check the blog at the VMware website - they state that both rebates apply for an effective crossgrade price of $9.99.

wilfried · 12-01-2008, 11:53 AM

The rebate off requires proof of purchase for Parallels, either the cover of the manual (I don't think I ever had a print manual, though I still have the box), or store receipt and product "serial number." Does anyone know where to find the serial number? I still have the Parallels install disk, but I don't see anything obvious.

For $10 I might be willing to flip, but I don't think I use Windows enough to justify $40. I didn't pay for the recent Parallels upgrade.

sebduggan · 12-01-2008, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Joe

Check the blog at the VMware website - they state that both rebates apply for an effective crossgrade price of $9.99.

Excellent! Unfortunately, I'm still out of luck, as it's only applicable to US and Canada, and I'm in the UK...

wilfried · 12-01-2008, 12:01 PM

Sorry, double post.

aplnub · 12-01-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfiler

$10 plus the cost of Windows...

You use Windows?? I thought all good Mac people virtualized SUN OS, Ubuntu server, etc.

spoonyfork · 12-01-2008, 12:22 PM

Or you could download VirtualBox for free.

jddietrich · 12-01-2008, 12:29 PM

Has anyone been able to purchase this yet? I can't get past the login without a password violation, though I can go to the account screen and logon without a problem.
No response to emails sent Friday and today.
Hmm, maybe there's a message here.

roehlstation · 12-01-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by .mac

hey which one is better ? i saw some comparisons where Parallels got good marks than vmware...
and those reviews are really old like a year.

It kind of goes back and forth, Parallels has a nicer installation process, and UI, but Fusion handles Multicore processors and video performance a little better. I've used both and honestly the performance of both really similar, but as one gets a new version it takes the upper hand for a while until the other releases an upgrade. What I like about VMWare is you buy 1 version and all subsequent updates are free (or at least so they say) Parallels will make you purchase a new one once in a while.

aplnub · 12-01-2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoonyfork

Or you could download VirtualBox for free.

Yeah, it is not all that but I hope it continues to improve.

aplnub · 12-01-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roehlstation

It kind of goes back and forth, Parallels has a nicer installation process, and UI, but Fusion handles Multicore processors and video performance a little better. I've used both and honestly the performance of both really similar, but as one gets a new version it takes the upper hand for a while until the other releases an upgrade. What I like about VMWare is you buy 1 version and all subsequent updates are free (or at least so they say) Parallels will make you purchase a new one once in a while.

Both are feature similar. I prefer VMWare because of stability issues and I had some personal problems with the way Parallels initially handled their process to allow Windows programs show up in my Mac drop down list when opening programs in the Mac. There was not choice to stop this in the beginning.

With that said, it is probably a toss up or whoever is hot now. I can say we moved our entire office over to VMWare from Parallels because of the above mentioned and other things that are too old to talk about now.

bloggerblog · 12-01-2008, 01:43 PM

I downloaded both trial versions Parallels and VM Fusion. Fusion was soooo much snappier than Parallels, it wasn't even funny. Only problem I faced with Fusion so far, was trying to re-activate my BootCamp Windows XP, I had to call MS and get a new number.

OriginalMacRat · 12-01-2008, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spoonyfork

Or you could download VirtualBox for free.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aplnub

Yeah, it is not all that but I hope it continues to improve.

Not all what?

Does it not run Windows, Linux, Solaris, etc?

onceuponamac · 12-01-2008, 02:16 PM

I haven't upgraded to Parallels 4.0, which they're making you pay for, but my experience thus far with Parallels has been that it doesn't REALLY support usb 2.0 - they say they've improved usb support, but my experience has been that it's painfully slow with all manner of devices.

Does any one have experience with Fusion and USB 2.0 support?

aplnub · 12-01-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OriginalMacRat

Not all what?

Does it not run Windows, Linux, Solaris, etc?

It does run them. But have you compared the performance, VMWare tools to it?? Those are not in the same league as VMWare or Parallels.

USB 2 seems fine in VMWare 2.x

woofpup · 12-01-2008, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OriginalMacRat

Not all what?

Does it not run Windows, Linux, Solaris, etc?

Virtualizing the CPU and basic hardware is one thing but handling advanced graphics virtualization (3D and even fast 2D performance) has been a challenge for the big guys. It's gonna be a while before VirtualBox can catch up on things like that as well as features such as complex interaction between guest and host OSs.

sandor · 12-01-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfiler

$10 plus the cost of Windows...

If you don't own windows, there is no need to have VM software.

If you want VM software to run Linux, it is $10 (or $10)

Lorre · 12-01-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onceuponamac

I haven't upgraded to Parallels 4.0, which they're making you pay for, but my experience thus far with Parallels has been that it doesn't REALLY support usb 2.0 - they say they've improved usb support, but my experience has been that it's painfully slow with all manner of devices.

Does any one have experience with Fusion and USB 2.0 support?

Well I keep my Nokia cellphone up to date using XP in VMWare Fusion, and while that isn't a bandwidth hogging thing, I must say my cellphone always mounts INSTANTLY, and the one time I updated the firmware I must say that went pretty snappy as well (as far as the actual USB thing goes, the Nokia software itself is quite cumbersome imo)

No comment on actual transfer speed, but other than that it behaves just as well if not better as it would with a native install.

gunoz · 12-01-2008, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr.Joe

Check the blog at the VMware website - they state that both rebates apply for an effective crossgrade price of $9.99.

Could you link to that blog post, I'm having no luck finding it on their website. Thanks!

umijin · 12-02-2008, 12:09 AM

Unfortunately, the VMWare order site didn't recognize my previous account when I tried to place an order, yet it wouldn't let me make a new account with the same email (because that account already existed).

Go figure.

One sale down the toilet for them. I wanted to replace parallels on my other Intel Mac - not now though.

colbyjack · 12-03-2008, 09:26 AM

The blog post is on the Team Fusion blog:

http://blogs.vmware.com/teamfusion/

12-01-2008, 09:37 AM	#1
*AppleInsider* Kasper's Automated Slave Join Date: Nov 1997 Posts: 6,151	VMWare offering 50% off Fusion 2.0 for Cyber Monday Parallels rival VMWare is holding a one-day sale on its Fusion 2.0 virtualization product for the Mac, which cuts the price in half to $39.99. However, Parallels users are being enticed to switch through an additional offer that brings the cost of Fusion 2.0 down to just $10. Online retailer Amazon.com is among the resellers participating in VMWare's Cyber Monday offer and is currently selling Fusion 2.0 for $39.99 -- 50 percent off its suggested retail price of $79.99. MacMall is also listed among those resellers who plan to offer the 1-day discount, but had not updated pricing on its website as of press time. Meanwhile, VMWare is courting users of rival software Parallels Desktop to switch platforms through an additional $30 rebate that knocks the cost of Fusion 2.0 down to just $10. To cash in on this deal, you can purchase Fusion 2.0 from VMWare's website using coupon code "CyberMondayDeal" and then submit your $30 rebate request on line. You must have proof of ownership of Parallels software to claim the rebate. Both offers are valid through 11:59 PM Pacific Time this evening. [ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

12-01-2008, 09:56 AM	#2
aplnub Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: The kool-aid stand... Posts: 2,187	For $10, you can't go wrong if you are curious. For $40 and not own either of them, you still can't go wrong. Very nice deal. Hardcore.

12-01-2008, 12:01 PM	#12
wilfried Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	Sorry, double post. Last edited by wilfried; 12-01-2008 at 12:37 PM..

12-01-2008, 12:22 PM	#14
spoonyfork Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 5	Whither VirtualBox? Or you could download VirtualBox for free.

12-01-2008, 01:43 PM	#19
bloggerblog Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 570	I downloaded both trial versions Parallels and VM Fusion. Fusion was soooo much snappier than Parallels, it wasn't even funny. Only problem I faced with Fusion so far, was trying to re-activate my BootCamp Windows XP, I had to call MS and get a new number. Jessie Ventura + Ron Paul = USA

12-01-2008, 10:21 AM	#3
dfiler Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,666	$10 plus the cost of Windows...

12-01-2008, 10:23 AM	#4
sebduggan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	The terms on the rebate state: This rebate is not valid with any other VMware sponsored offers So you either get the 50%, or the $30 rebate. I went for the 50%...

12-01-2008, 11:01 AM	#7
JeffDM Global Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: .US Posts: 9,127	Cyber Monday is a lame term invented by marketing types, I think to justify their salaries. It's not the biggest day of sales. Then again, Black Friday isn't the biggest day of sales either, hasn't been for a long time, but people continue to believe that.

12-01-2008, 11:28 AM	#8
.mac Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 32	hey which one is better ? i saw some comparisons where Parallels got good marks than vmware... and those reviews are really old like a year.

12-01-2008, 11:53 AM	#10
wilfried Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 2	The rebate off requires proof of purchase for Parallels, either the cover of the manual (I don't think I ever had a print manual, though I still have the box), or store receipt and product "serial number." Does anyone know where to find the serial number? I still have the Parallels install disk, but I don't see anything obvious. For $10 I might be willing to flip, but I don't think I use Windows enough to justify $40. I didn't pay for the recent Parallels upgrade.

12-01-2008, 12:29 PM	#15
jddietrich Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	Has anyone been able to purchase this yet? I can't get past the login without a password violation, though I can go to the account screen and logon without a problem. No response to emails sent Friday and today. Hmm, maybe there's a message here.

12-01-2008, 02:16 PM	#21
onceuponamac Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 121	parallels and usb 2.0 not great I haven't upgraded to Parallels 4.0, which they're making you pay for, but my experience thus far with Parallels has been that it doesn't REALLY support usb 2.0 - they say they've improved usb support, but my experience has been that it's painfully slow with all manner of devices. Does any one have experience with Fusion and USB 2.0 support?

12-02-2008, 12:09 AM	#27
umijin Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 120	VMware site screws up Unfortunately, the VMWare order site didn't recognize my previous account when I tried to place an order, yet it wouldn't let me make a new account with the same email (because that account already existed). Go figure. One sale down the toilet for them. I wanted to replace parallels on my other Intel Mac - not now though.

12-03-2008, 09:26 AM	#28
colbyjack Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1	Blog Link The blog post is on the Team Fusion blog: http://blogs.vmware.com/teamfusion/

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