Intel Windows not coming to M1 VMware Fusion, ARM Windows licensing unclear
Virtualization company VMware doesn't plan on supporting x86 virtual machines on M1 Macs, and is distancing itself from Windows on ARM VMs on Apple Silicon until Microsoft clarifies its licensing terms.
Virtualization company VMware says Fusion won't support x86 operating systems
The company updated users in a blog post this week, adding that it plans on delivering a Public Tech Preview of VMware Fusion for Apple Silicon "before the end of this year."
Explaining its stance on x86 VMs, VMware says, "To be a bit blunt, running x86 operating systems on Apple silicon is not something we are planning to deliver with this project. Installing Windows or Linux from an x86 ISO, for example, will not work."
Microsoft offers an ARM version of Windows. It's currently only available to install as a Tech Preview in Microsoft's Windows Insider program.
While rival Parallels has updated its VM app with Windows support for M1 Macs, VMware says Windows on ARM presents some licensing gray areas that it isn't comfortable dismissing without clarification.
"[Microsoft's licensing] doesn't say anything about Apple Silicon." The company added, "For the time being, our work has been focused on Linux guest operating systems, and we're confident that if Microsoft offers Windows on Arm licenses more broadly, we'll be ready to officially support it."
Apple introduced the first Macs with Apple Silicon in November 2020. Updated models of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini launched in November. M1-based models of the iMac and iPad Pro are set to release in May.
VMware Fusion running on Big Sur
VMware Fusion first launched in 2007, a year after Apple began the transition from PowerPC to Intel processors. In the 14 years since, it has stood alongside Parallels as the most popular Windows virtualization apps for macOS.
The Fusion maker says it believes the next era of Macs will be less about easing the transition for Windows switchers. "I expect this platform will be one to more rapidly introduce new experiences at the expense of cutting away from the past," said the company. "Where we're headed is anyone's guess, but I am confident the direction we're moving isn't backwards."
Explaining why VMware Fusion still doesn't have any public software available for M1 machines, the firm touted its leadership position in the enterprise and perhaps echoed Steve Jobs.
"[Our leadership position is] not because we shipped first, it's because we ship when it's ready."
Virtualization company VMware says Fusion won't support x86 operating systems
The company updated users in a blog post this week, adding that it plans on delivering a Public Tech Preview of VMware Fusion for Apple Silicon "before the end of this year."
Explaining its stance on x86 VMs, VMware says, "To be a bit blunt, running x86 operating systems on Apple silicon is not something we are planning to deliver with this project. Installing Windows or Linux from an x86 ISO, for example, will not work."
Microsoft offers an ARM version of Windows. It's currently only available to install as a Tech Preview in Microsoft's Windows Insider program.
While rival Parallels has updated its VM app with Windows support for M1 Macs, VMware says Windows on ARM presents some licensing gray areas that it isn't comfortable dismissing without clarification.
"[Microsoft's licensing] doesn't say anything about Apple Silicon." The company added, "For the time being, our work has been focused on Linux guest operating systems, and we're confident that if Microsoft offers Windows on Arm licenses more broadly, we'll be ready to officially support it."
Apple introduced the first Macs with Apple Silicon in November 2020. Updated models of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini launched in November. M1-based models of the iMac and iPad Pro are set to release in May.
VMware Fusion running on Big Sur
VMware Fusion first launched in 2007, a year after Apple began the transition from PowerPC to Intel processors. In the 14 years since, it has stood alongside Parallels as the most popular Windows virtualization apps for macOS.
The Fusion maker says it believes the next era of Macs will be less about easing the transition for Windows switchers. "I expect this platform will be one to more rapidly introduce new experiences at the expense of cutting away from the past," said the company. "Where we're headed is anyone's guess, but I am confident the direction we're moving isn't backwards."
Explaining why VMware Fusion still doesn't have any public software available for M1 machines, the firm touted its leadership position in the enterprise and perhaps echoed Steve Jobs.
"[Our leadership position is] not because we shipped first, it's because we ship when it's ready."
Comments
Unfortunately, gaming on Macs is nowhere near the level of gaming on Windows. It used to be that we could have a Mac for both Mac OS and Windows. That was cool. The setup didn’t need to be 100% equal to a Windows PC in performance, just be comparable.
Sadly, there hasn’t been a suitable desktop Mac in almost a decade (GPU, heat, etc). Now Apple is moving away from Macs even being able to run intel Windows software at all. Result: own two computers again (consoles can bite my shiny metal ass).
It would be nice if Apple at least sold a standalone display [for an affordable headless workstation-class desktop], so that when I finally can buy a new gaming PC (GPU shortages & pricing are insane), I don’t ALSO need to have TWO displays on my already-crowded desk. Guess I need to find a usable USB KVM switch, soon. Most affordable KVM switches I’ve seen are trash and the well-built ones are rarely happy to work cross-platform & USB.
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windowsinsiderpreviewARM64
I've never heard of any problems with cross platform KVMs. You are switching video, audio and USB.
I spent countless hours converting all of my Cakewalk Sonar projects to Logic 9 some years back, just so I could abandon Sonar & Windows. All my music, writing, web consumption, communications, graphics, etc... everything I do is a *far less frustrating* experience since abandoning Windows. My personal productivity increased dramatically when I moved to Snow Leopard (from Windows-whatever). Too bad Mac OS isn’t *that* reliable & efficient anymore. It’s still far better than Windows or Linux, though.
The ONLY reason I EVER put up with the intolerable hell of Windows anymore is for gaming, and that’s because I have NO CHOICE. The only choice there is “Use Windows or give up on 3D gaming”.
I refuse to deal with the support & maintenance nightmare of a Hackintosh, and that’s on top of already hating the voodoo nonsense of PC hardware.
Fact is, Apple have the *least offensive* product. It’s not as respectable as it used to be, but it’s definitely the least objectionable. The problem is that they don’t build an appropriate machine, at a reasonable price, for power-hungry usage and lots of sustained heat. And NOW they are moving to cut support of Intel-architecture Windows software. I’m not going to spend $6000 on the cost-ineffective base model of the current Intel Mac Pro just to have a Mac AND Windows gaming in one stupidly-priced box.
It’s been many years since I last struggled with KVMs. I hope you’re correct and they’re all good now. 👍🏽
👍🏽 Cool; glad to hear you’re having good experiences with that.
How hot does your iMac get? I’ve lost a MacBook Pro to thermal design failures and I’m not interested in risking any other compact machines on gaming. If someone gifted me a current Mac Pro, I’d take it in a heartbeat.
Gaming is my ONLY reason to ever run Windows. Entertainment is a part of making life tolerable, but gaming isn’t my only use for a computer. I’d rather do everything else in Mac OS, on a Mac. I can’t let gaming abuse an otherwise happy music/art machine.