VMware announces Fusion 3 with more than 50 new features
VMware Tuesday announced the latest update to its Fusion virtualization software, with a new version optimized for Snow Leopard and sporting full support for Windows 7, including Aero.
Oct. 27 is the worldwide launch date for VMware Fusion 3, now available for pre-order. VMware has said that the latest version will include more than 50 new features and enhancements, including greater support for graphics-intensive games in Windows.
"For more than 10 years, VMware virtualization has given users the choice of where to run their favorite applications. We're excited about the rapid adoption of VMware Fusion in the Mac community since its introduction just over two years ago, making it the No. 1 choice to run Windows on a Mac," said Jocelyn Goldfein, vice president and general manager, desktop business unit. "VMware Fusion 3 builds on our proven platform and makes it even easier for users to run Windows applications on the Mac."
VMware Fusion 3 has been optimized for Snow Leopard and takes advantage of the 64-bit architecture in Mac OS X 10.6. The new version will have a new 64-bit core engine to allow the "ultimate Windows 7 experience," offering Windows Aero and Flip 3D.
In addition, 3D graphics support will extend to OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3. Gamers will be able to run their favorite titles through Fusion 3 without rebooting.
The company has also touted that Fusion 3 will make it easier for users to migrate from PC to Mac, either wirelessly or with an ethernet cable.
"VMware Fusion has been designed from the beginning to make it easy to run Windows apps like Mac apps," the company said on its official blog. "VMware Fusion 3 makes it even better with the 'Always On' Applications Menu that banishes the Windows Start menu from your Mac and let’s you find and launch Windows apps like Mac apps, even when VMware Fusion is not running. Cycle through open Windows apps with 'command', quit individual Windows applications with 'command q', and use Dock Exposé with Windows apps."
VMware Fusion 3 has a retail price of $79.99 and will be available on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Those upgrading from previous versions of the application can do so at the discounted price of $39.99. Those who bought version 2 from Oct. 1, 2009 through the end of November will qualify for a free downloadable upgrade after filling out an online form and providing proof of purchase.
Oct. 27 is the worldwide launch date for VMware Fusion 3, now available for pre-order. VMware has said that the latest version will include more than 50 new features and enhancements, including greater support for graphics-intensive games in Windows.
"For more than 10 years, VMware virtualization has given users the choice of where to run their favorite applications. We're excited about the rapid adoption of VMware Fusion in the Mac community since its introduction just over two years ago, making it the No. 1 choice to run Windows on a Mac," said Jocelyn Goldfein, vice president and general manager, desktop business unit. "VMware Fusion 3 builds on our proven platform and makes it even easier for users to run Windows applications on the Mac."
VMware Fusion 3 has been optimized for Snow Leopard and takes advantage of the 64-bit architecture in Mac OS X 10.6. The new version will have a new 64-bit core engine to allow the "ultimate Windows 7 experience," offering Windows Aero and Flip 3D.
In addition, 3D graphics support will extend to OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3. Gamers will be able to run their favorite titles through Fusion 3 without rebooting.
The company has also touted that Fusion 3 will make it easier for users to migrate from PC to Mac, either wirelessly or with an ethernet cable.
"VMware Fusion has been designed from the beginning to make it easy to run Windows apps like Mac apps," the company said on its official blog. "VMware Fusion 3 makes it even better with the 'Always On' Applications Menu that banishes the Windows Start menu from your Mac and let’s you find and launch Windows apps like Mac apps, even when VMware Fusion is not running. Cycle through open Windows apps with 'command', quit individual Windows applications with 'command q', and use Dock Exposé with Windows apps."
VMware Fusion 3 has a retail price of $79.99 and will be available on Tuesday, Oct. 27. Those upgrading from previous versions of the application can do so at the discounted price of $39.99. Those who bought version 2 from Oct. 1, 2009 through the end of November will qualify for a free downloadable upgrade after filling out an online form and providing proof of purchase.
Comments
It's just like running Boot Camp in Snow Leopard - the speed, full Aero implementation.....it just blows version 2 and the competition away.
I've been in the Beta program and running the Version 3 Release Candidate for some time. Up until now I haven't been able to say anything under NDA. Now I can, and one word can sums this up: "Spectacular".
It's just like running Boot Camp in Snow Leopard - the speed, full Aero implementation.....it just blows version 2 and the competition away.
That's great news - even better than Vmware's press release - I quite like Fusion but it does have it's issues (especially when hard drive space gets a bit low). Still this sounds great - I cannot wait.
I've been in the Beta program and running the Version 3 Release Candidate for some time. Up until now I haven't been able to say anything under NDA. Now I can, and one word can sums this up: "Spectacular".
It's just like running Boot Camp in Snow Leopard - the speed, full Aero implementation.....it just blows version 2 and the competition away.
Interesting. I have been suing Parallels for some time because I had heard that it was best, but I have had multiple problems with it using my boot camp partition. In particular it has caused me to have to call Microsoft to re-authenticate several times. Maybe I will switch.
Interesting. I have been suing Parallels for some time because I had heard that it was best, but I have had multiple problems with it using my boot camp partition. In particular it has caused me to have to call Microsoft to re-authenticate several times. Maybe I will switch.
Sure Parallels may be buggy in some instances - but to sue them over it seems harsh
All I need Parallels for is so I can test websites in IE6 and up. WinXP and Parallels do that well enough to accomplish the *chore* that is windows.
I've been in the Beta program and running the Version 3 Release Candidate for some time. Up until now I haven't been able to say anything under NDA. Now I can, and one word can sums this up: "Spectacular".
It's just like running Boot Camp in Snow Leopard - the speed, full Aero implementation.....it just blows version 2 and the competition away.
I don't care about Aero I need da speed. Fusion 2.0.x is much better and more stable, I switched over from Parallels several months ago and haven't looked back.
I wouldn't mind a bit of gaming on Fusion 3 but right now I just need Windows for browser testing - I have to use XP, since Windows Vista/7 won't let you run IE6 with that "multiple-ie" program.
Let's see the speed, smoothness and stability. And yeah let's hope it won't get bogged down with feature creep.
64bit Fusion will be nice. But I will be running XP2 mostly still.
BTW I've been gaming and browsing web on Windows 7 on my gaming PC... No way in hell I will go back to Vista.
I'm just wondering how it can let you access and run Windows apps without having Fusion loaded.
I think that must mean "pre-loaded". Obviously you can't run Windows apps with Fusion (or any other VM software) without running it. It probably just means that ".exe" files are set to open with Fusion, which then understands to launch the .exe when it finishes loading. I don't think there is anything miraculous going on here.
(although, it could potentially open some interesting security holes)
Thanks!!
I have a Phenom II 955 system recently built that's condemmed to a life of running Windows.
why pay when you can use virtualbox which works just as well and costs nothing?
I'm a fan of VirtualBox, too, but it looks like Fusion has significantly more support for 64-bit, hardware acceleration, integration, and migration. Definitely try VirtualBox as it's free and does the basic "I need to run an old Windows IE browser to check my website" task. But that doesn't mean you don't get what you pay for with VMWare.
Now all we need is the Windows version of Fusion to run OS X, so those of us that run 3ghz+ Quad Cores can use our favorite OS.
I have a Phenom II 955 system recently built that's condemmed to a life of running Windows.
Just run linux man!! I would! Ubuntu is nice!
To the person who was a Fusion 3 beta tester: Is the difference between running games on Boot Camp and Fusion 3 noticeable? I use Windows just to play my games, and it would be nice if I could buy Fusion since I don't like splitting my HD in 2 parts...
Sure Parallels may be buggy in some instances - but to sue them over it seems harsh
haha! oops. Hopefully it is clear to everyone that I meant USING.....I am most definitely NOT suing Parallels....sorry typing to fast its typical for me.
why pay when you can use virtualbox which works just as well and costs nothing?
I am a web developer who uses virtualization for testing, some time ago I worked for a company that would not buy me any virtualization software and I used Virtual Box instead...my experience with it was not at all good. The two particular gripes that come to mind are that it crashed regularly and I couldn't drag and drop things from one system to the other. That being said, it was some time ago and maybe it has gotten better, not to mention Parallells isn't exactly bug free either.
For those more educated than me in virtualising software, which one is to buy? I have not really looked in to either one, but always having to boot up in Boot Camp is starting to get annoying....So is either one of them an option, and if yes then which one?
Thanks!!
My own personal experience? I use my MPB 17 C2D at home to write iPhone apps, and at my "day job" under XP2 Professional to access proprietary "windows only" apps. While I credit Parallels for the initial ability to use my Mac to run windows and OS X simultaneously, my Parallels experience was less than pleasant. Angry and frustrated, a friend suggested I try the VMware Fusion beta.
To my amazement, the VMware Fusion beta ran circles around the released version of Parallels, and without any of the annoying issues that Parallels had at the time. I even paid for Parallels "support" that was worthless. Although listening to a heavily accented support person grunt and groan through his scripted support script was somewhat amusing, nothing was fixed.
The final straw? When Parallels bombarded their users with offers for a "new and improved" version that was buggier than most betas. Then they had the nerve to fight me tooth and nail when I demanded a refund, which was never granted until I got my bank involved.
So my take?
VMware Fusion =
Parallels =
You choose.
Now all we need is the Windows version of Fusion to run OS X, so those of us that run 3ghz+ Quad Cores can use our favorite OS.
I have a Phenom II 955 system recently built that's condemmed to a life of running Windows.
you can run OS X in vmware. you just have to do some hacking and maybe download a copy of BT