Las Vegas (Nevada) - VMware officially released its Fusion 2.0 virtualization software for Apple Macs.  Version 2.0 is a free download and upgrade for existing 1.x users and $79.99 for new purchasers.  It contains more than one hundred new features, including Unity 2.0 which allows Windows-based programs to run like Mac programs without the Windows desktop being shown.

Additional user features include significant enhancements to data sharing, allowing either OS to launch the appropriate application in either OS from the document icon.  Folders are also mirrored, such as Mac's Documents folders and Windows' My Documents, as well as Mac's Desktop, Music and Pictures mating up with Windows' Desktop, My Music and My Pictures.

A new feature called AutoProtect, which VMware describes as a "time machine for your virtual machine," provides a similar functionality to OS X's Time Machine.  The software also comes bundled with a 12-month subscription to McAfee VirusScan Plus (to help keep your Mac free from damage due to any Windows' viruses).  VMware's press release uses the word "safe" four times to indicate that while more interoperability between Mac OS X and a Windows OS is exposed, there is also additional security.

Fusion 2.0 allows 32-bit and 64-bit OSes to be run, provides multi-processor support for up to four CPUs, USB 2.0 and Bluetooth, DirectX 9.0c, up to 10 displays a host of guest operating systems simultaneously, including Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, Vista, all in 32-bit or 64-bit modes. Notably absent from the supported technologies list is Firewire.

This new release is available for Intel-based Mac users and requires OS X 10.4.11 or later, at least 1 GB of RAM with 2 GB recommended, and 400 MB of hard drive space for the virtual machine host.  It can work with BootCamp and initial benchmark data indicates it is slightly slower than a native Boot Camp instance, although the additional features probably make it far more usable to the average user.

Definitely want a Mac next

Sep 16, 2008 13:40     

Call me crazy... but that looks great!
Hax Or report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Pretty good app

Sep 16, 2008 14:00     

I run the 1.x version and am certainly going to update. Pretty good app. I run very few Windows only apps that won't run just fine via VMWare.
JT report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

RE: Definitely want a Mac next

Sep 16, 2008 14:48     

Microsoft has free software that has been doing that for years now...for free, Virtual Server, Virtual PC and HyperV(Server 2008). This is not a reason to spend 2x more for a Mac and more for software which is already free. If Apple was smart, they would allow OSX to be sold and run on all boxes.
Headward report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

RE: RE: Definitely want a Mac next

Sep 16, 2008 21:34     

Yeah, but Virtual PC was an absolute waste of time. Incredibly slow software
Mr Comment report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -2

Not a fan of Virtual PC for one reason,

Sep 17, 2008 09:08     

Virtual PC is "here one minute, gone the next". Microsoft lately feels the need to "drop support" for no good reasons. Examples: Virtual PC 2004, Windows XP. Microsoft can no longer be relied on. It's a shame.
Hax Or report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0