Filed under: Software, Snow Leopard
VMware Fusion 3 supercharged for Snow Leopard
The latest release of VMware's top-notch virtualization software "Fusion" has been announced and some of the new features are definitely worth taking a look. For the uninitiated, virtualization is the act of simulating a guest operating system while running a host operating system. Put simply, it allows you to run Windows without having to reboot.VMware Fusion 3 features highly improved Snow Leopard support. Most notably, Fusion now sports native 64-bit compatibility and support for the 64-bit kernel. What this means for the average user is improved performance for both the host and guest operating systems.
Further, with support for OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3, gamers will now be able to play more demanding 3D games without the use of Boot Camp. Fusion 3 will also work beautifully with Microsoft's latest operating system by enabling the full Windows 7 experience, side-by-side with your Mac via Unity, complete with Windows Aero and Flip 3D.
VMware Fusion 3 is available for pre-order now and will be on store shelves October 27. Suggested retail price is $79.99US and on the day of launch upgrade pricing of $39.99US will be available for existing customers with previous versions of VMware Fusion.
I use Fusion 2 when I'm at my home office and while the performance has been good, I am really looking forward to Fusion 3's 64-bit support. Any other Fusion users out there, how will you make use of VMware's latest foray into the desktop virtualization game?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Richard said 9:39AM on 10-06-2009
I love Fusion!
Does anybody on the beta program know if this delivers faster virtual disc speeds?
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kyle p snyder said 10:33AM on 10-06-2009
The increase in performance in v3 is incredible. That's all I'll say for now. However, It's been such a significant improvement that I've ditched BootCamp with v3.
nickganga said 10:42AM on 10-06-2009
Yes, I agree. v3 has been a significant improvement over v2.
iLikeMyiPhone said 9:43AM on 10-06-2009
I am hoping VMWare Fusion 3 kick's Parallels' ass this time around cos' the last time, they lost the battle!
I prefer VMWare to Parallels no matter what. I think a student version is lot cheaper and if you have a Parallels' license, you can get it lot cheaper!
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Theo said 10:08AM on 10-06-2009
How do you get VMware cheaper if you have a Parallels license?
That would be helpfull to know :)
blachole said 10:58AM on 10-06-2009
I would like to know this as well because I would def not mind hoping over to fusion for the 64-bit support..
KarlW said 11:14AM on 10-06-2009
VMWare is better, but Parallels supports GPU acceleration on the GMA X3100.
If VMWare did that, I'd be all over it.
Noah Ramon said 12:28PM on 10-06-2009
IIRC, VMware's *usually* had cross-upgrade programs at the same pricing as - they want to convert Parallels customers...
iLikeMyiPhone said 3:53PM on 10-06-2009
I remember seeing a competitive discount. Wherein you have to trade in Parallels license to get VMWare for a cheaper price. Let us see once the preorder label comes off.
Their trials work great, the last time I remember, I used their 30 day trial recursively for so many months before going in for Parallels just because I got Parallels in a Mac software bundle.
Gesen said 9:48AM on 10-06-2009
How much is an upgrade from Fusion 2?
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Tobsterius said 9:51AM on 10-06-2009
$39.99 according to the second to last paragraph of the article. Not sure why that little tidbit was buried...
mark said 9:52AM on 10-06-2009
According to their pre-order page, $40.
http://www.vmware.com/landing_pages/fusion-3-preorder.html
Digaos said 12:28PM on 10-06-2009
WTF? 40 bucks for the update??
I would pay 20 bucks max...
mal said 1:41AM on 10-07-2009
duh, $40? time to have an other look at virtualbox. while i do like vmware fusion, this upgrade price is ridiculous!
numpty said 9:54AM on 10-06-2009
I'll stick to VirtualBox, thanks. Already has OpenGL and DirectX support for Windows guests, supports my favourite Unix guests better than VMWare or Parallels, and you can't beat the price (free).
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Name: said 11:27AM on 10-06-2009
Can VirtualBox load BootCamp partitions?
etgaccount said 9:58AM on 10-06-2009
yes, beta was fantastic, no issues. very fast and worked well with 64bit Snoe Leopard kernel
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Robert said 10:06AM on 10-06-2009
Fusion 2 is great except that it is terribly slow, even on a 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo. If 3 is significantly faster, I'll consider the upgrade, but it'll be a wait-and-see proposition. If they aren't and it's possible, I really wish they'd take advantage of the new technologies in Snow Leopard like OpenCL.
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Colin Cornaby said 2:54PM on 10-06-2009
There really isn't anything to use OpenCL with on VMWare. VMWare just takes native Intel calls, and runs them under a virtualized context. It's not like an emulator. VMWare isn't actually translating anything.
What would make more sense is adding support for Windows apps running in VMWare to make OpenCL calls, but demand probably isn't very high for that considering nobody on Windows is using OpenCL yet.
etgaccount said 10:13AM on 10-06-2009
BTW, I had both VM3 and the Parallels SLeopard 64bit version running and VM was faster, less buggy, and smoother to use.....
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