VMware Fusion [OLD VERSION]

I bought this 4 my work MacBook so that I could continue 2 run a few essential XP applications.

Pros:
* Seamless XP App integration with Unity
* Free upgrade 2 2.x
* Downloadable utility 2 import your old Windows PC image saves a ton of reinstall work.
* Plenty of available VMware images containing Open Source OS's available 2 tinker with.

Cons:
* Watch the fine print on the rebate - I sent mine in > 30 days later & the request was denied. One would think hanging onto the funds a bit longer would mean more interest earned.
* If your Mac crashes while your guest is open, be prepared 2 recover the guest disk image from backup.
* Adequate guest performance requires a substantial amount of host memory if you plan on running Mac native apps as well.

In a Windows world this software is crucial 4 those who want 2 enjoy the wonders of Mac but don't want 2 be isolated from the rest of the world. I have had no problem running Windows programs with this software & the integration & networking with the Mac keeps on getting better. I do not run games on it or other graphic intensive programs, but I gather that this might be the programs only weakness. However, in this area the programs keeps on getting better. It is a must have, you won't regret getting it.

Although I had an older version of Parallels, which I installed about a year & a half ago (so it may be improved now), I found VMware Fusion much easier 2 install & found that it worked perfectly, hooking up my internet connections almost automatically thru my existing Airport. Parallels, meanwhile, was a total hassle 2 connect 2 the internet. I am not a geek, & although I appreciate using the latest technology, I need it 2 be intuitive; this product does that 4 me. I also love the fact that I can seamlessly switch between Windows & Mac OS, drag & drop files between the two systems; it's almost as though the guys at Apple designed this! I love it.

The best thing about this is that it can be used 2 upgrade 2 Fusion 2.0 immediately. I opened the box & just used the serial number 2 register & activate my Version 2.0 demo. Basically you just instantly save half your money 2 start! I don't know why anyone wouldn't just buy this Version until it is no longer available... the box with a different picture??

Just purchased a Mac & wanted 2 run Windows as a window within Mac. This software is great. It came as version 1 but as soon as I installed it I was prompted 2 update 2 the latest version. Another update has come out & I will probably do that in a few months, I hesitate 2 update anything when it is running so well & I am a real neophyte on the Mac.

From the proven leader in desktop virtualization comes VMware Fusion--the most seamless way 2 run Windows applications on your Mac. VMware Fusion combines a clean & intuitive interface that Mac users expect with a virtualization platform trusted by millions of users today. VMware Fusion allows you 2 launch your Windows applications from the Dock & switch between Windows & Mac applications using Exposé. With the industry's most advanced virtualization technology VMware Fusion is ready 4 the future & lets you leverage all the hardware available on your Mac 2 simultaneously run 32 & 64-bit operating systems, use two processors at the same time, run select 3D games & utilize USB 2.0 devices. Access the widest range of USB 2 devices, allocate up 2 8GB of memory 2 virtual machines, run over 60 guest operating systems from DOS 2 Microsoft Windows Vista, Linux, Solaris, Netware & FreeBSD. Run your Boot Camp partition side-by-side with Mac OS X without any additional setup. Run any of the more than 550 virtual appliances available from VMware Virtualize your existing PC with the free VMware Converter Starter Built Exclusively 4 the Mac - Built with features such as customizable toolbars, easy-to-manage virtual machine packages, & much more The powerful Unity feature transforms your Windows applications & gives you a seamless Mac experience Requires Any Intel Mac computer with a 1.5GHz or faster Intel processor; 512MB of RAM (1GB or more recommended)

Run multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, & Solaris, on your Macintosh at the same time as Mac OS X--without rebooting. Designed from the ground up 4 the Mac, VMware Fusion allows you 2 run Mac & Windows applications side-by-side--quickly & effortlessly sharing information between the two operating systems' environments.

Run Windows & other operating systems on your Mac.

Run any version of Windows.

Full support 4 Windows, Linux, Solaris, & FreeBSD.

Run Windows applications just like Mac applications
Say goodbye 2 the Windows desktop & use the VMware Fusion Launch Palette or Spotlight 2 easily launch your Windows applications. Switch between all your Windows & Mac applications using Expose. Keep your favorite applications in the Dock, bring forward only the application you care about, & use your familiar Mac keyboard shortcuts the whole time.

Turn back time on your PC
Capture & save the exact state of your virtual machine with VMware Fusion's innovative Snapshot feature. If your Windows virtual machine becomes unresponsive, use the Snapshot feature 2 rollback 2 a known stable state with the click of a button.

Get the most out of your Mac hardware
Take full advantage of 64-bit & multi-core processors of your Mac 4 maximum flexibility. You can run 64-bit operating systems such as Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition or leverage Virtual SMP 2 create & run multi-processor virtual machines.

Our cutting-edge 3D technology even lets you 2 play select DirectX 8.1 games on your Mac. Plus, get full read/write support 4 CDs & DVDs & complete USB 2.0 support--even 4 proprietary video cameras, Bluetooth devices & other Windows-only peripherals.

Run multiple operating systems on your Mac with ease
Easily use UNIX-based operating systems such as Linux & Solaris right alongside Windows & Mac OS X, with the ease & simplicity you've come 2 expect from your Mac. Only VMware Fusion makes it possible 2 copy & paste text between Mac & Linux or Solaris, or 2 drag & drop files from the Mac desktop 2 Linux or Solaris.

Get up & running with your favorite Windows applications quickly.

Enjoy access 2 Windows applications through a familiar Mac interface.

Customize your toolbar 4 integration with Fusion.

Built 4 the Mac

Run Windows applications like Mac applications
VMware Fusion transforms your Windows applications with VMware Unity feature, giving you the seamless Mac experience you expect. Minimize Windows applications 2 the Dock, switch between Windows or Mac application with Expose, find & instantly launch any Windows application, & use familiar Mac keyboard shortcuts 2 copy & paste between Windows & Mac applications.

Designed 4 the Mac user
Get up & running with your favorite Windows applications quickly. VMware Fusion's user interface was designed exclusively 4 the Mac so things will work the way you expect them to, including customizable toolbars & configuration sheets.

Run Windows Vista, Windows XP, & Mac OS X at the same time
Run Microsoft Vista Business, Enterprise, or Ultimate 32-bit or 64-bit editions or any Windows XP edition side-by-side with Mac OS X.

Use your Boot Camp install side by side with your mac
Run Windows XP side-by-side with Mac OS X from your existing Boot Camp partition, which VMware Fusion automatically detects & when run the first time is updated 2 use optimized drivers when run as a virtual machine. Access your existing Boot Camp partition with the flexibility of running Windows natively or as a virtual machine. In addition, VMware Fusion has experimental support 4 Microsoft Vista on Boot Camp partitions.

Install Windows easily
Answer a few simple questions, insert a Windows CD & VMware Fusion does the rest 2 create a Mac-ready Windows virtual machine without you becoming a Windows expert.

Roll back & recover
Rollback allows you 2 take a Snapshot of the virtual machine at any point in time. If problems occur later, you can roll your virtual machine back 2 that known-good state with a single click.

Start where you left off
The suspend feature stores your applications' states so you can quickly resume work without restarting Windows & opening all your applications.

Move your virtual machine by copying a file
Exclusive feature:Your complete virtual machine is stored in a single, easy-to-manage package. Move your virtual machines 2 another hard drive or Mac simply by copying a file.

Use Shared Folders 2 share your Mac home folder or other folders 2 your virtual machines.

The suspend feature stores your applications' states so you can quickly resume work without restarting Windows.

Keep an eye on your laptop's battery level from Windows.

The Most Complete Virtualization Platform

Full support 4 Windows, Linux, Solaris, & FreeBSD on your Mac
Exclusive feature: Run 32-bit or 64-bit editions of Windows, Linux, Solaris, & FreeBSD on your Mac. Copy & paste text & drag & drop files between your virtual machines & the Mac. Use Shared Folders 2 share your Mac home folder or other folders 2 your virtual machines. Resize the virtual machine window & the resolution of the virtual machine automatically changes. You can even download pre-configured Linux or Solaris virtual machines from the VMware Virtual Appliance Marketplace 2 get started.

Future Proof with 32-bit & 64-bit virtual machines
Exclusive feature: Run both 32-bit & 64-bit operating systems in VMware Fusion virtual machines. As the world moves 2 64-bit applications, you will be ready with 64-bit virtual machines on the latest Intel Core 2 Duo & Xeon Macs.

Multi-core 4 maximum flexibility
Exclusive feature: Leverage the full power of your Intel Mac by using two-way Virtual SMP 2 assign multiple cores with your virtual machines 4 maximum flexibility.

Easily share data between virtual machines & your Mac
Use Shared Folders 2 share your Mac home folder or other folders 2 your virtual machines. Copy & paste text & drag & drop files between your virtual machines & the Mac.

Run more virtual machines
Exclusive feature: VMware Fusion can use the full 16 GB of memory available with the Mac Pro or Xserve 2 run more virtual machines at the same time.

Accelerated 3D graphics let you run DirectX 8.1 3D savvy applications & play select DirectX 8.1 games.

Accelerated 3D graphics
Experimental hardware with accelerated 3D graphics let you run DirectX 8.1 3D savvy applications & play select DirectX 8.1 games in Window XP with Service Pack 2 virtual machines.

USB 2.0 support
VMware Fusion offers complete USB 2.0 support--even 4 proprietary video cameras, GPS, Bluetooth, & other devices that only work in Windows.

CD & DVD burning
SuperDrive is fully supported in any virtual machine with VMware Fusion.

Seamless, powerful networking
Windows shares your Mac's network connections & provides effortless switching between wired & AirPort/Wi-Fi connections. Add up 2 ten virtual network interfaces 2 support private & public networks. Or use host-only networking 2 keep your virtual machine isolated from the network 4 maximum safety.

Battery pass-through
Exclusive feature: Keep an eye on your laptop's battery level from Windows, ideal when running Windows full screen.

ACPI support
Your virtual PC shuts down completely when you say shut down & supports hibernation when using Boot Camp partition virtual machines.

Move 2 the Virtual World

Migrate your existing Windows PC 2 a virtual machine
Migrate your existing Windows PCs into Mac-ready virtual machines with the free VMware Converter Starter.

Virtual appliances
Choose from over 450 3rd party virtual appliances, pre-configured virtual machines designed 2 meet specific needs, at the VMware Virtual Appliance Marketplace.

Fully compatible with other VMware products
Existing VMware customers can leverage existing VMware virtual machines created with other VMware products, including VMware Workstation, VMware Server, & VMware Infrastructure 3, which are all fully compatible with VMware Fusion.