Access a second operating system on your Mac with VMware's Fusion

Filed under: Utilities, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Productivity

Access a second operating system on your Mac with VMware's Fusion

by Lisa Hoover Jul 1st 2007

If you love your Mac but still need or want to run Windows, Linux, or Solaris, then VMware's Fusion is worth a look. Though it's still in beta and not expected to launch until later this summer, this virtualization tool gives you access to all the apps in a second operating system without requiring a reboot to access them.

We downloaded it to a MacBook Intel Core 2 Duo and then installed Windows XP without a hitch. Fusion will find and run the existing Windows OS that ships with Boot Camp, so a separate Windows installation isn't necessary in that case. According to the VMware website, Fusion also works with Vista. Once your OS of choice is installed, let the fun begin.

Gallery: VMware Fusion

Fusion makes it sinfully easy to work with native Mac and Windows apps at the same time. It's not necessary to reboot your system to access Windows, simply select the tool in Finder and the virtual operating system opens in a separate, resizable window. From there, it's possible to do pretty much anything you'd do on a standard PC, including install software and browse the internet.

If the whole two-machines-in-one vibe doesn't fully grab you, then the Fusion's optional Unity tool will. This trippy feature puts virtual apps directly on the Mac's desktop, and does away with the separate window entirely. If Windows and Mac got married, Unity would be their lovechild.

Cut and paste text within documents, drag and drop files, and share folders between the OSes without missing a beat. Run Media Windows Player while surfin' with Safari (Beach Boys, anyone?). Play Minesweeper while you wait for iMovie to burn a DVD. Unity makes using a virtual machine practically painless -- and a whole lot of fun.

Despite the fact that Fusion is still in beta, we noticed very few performance issues. Installation was a breeze and both OSes were stable with no freezes or crashes. The Mac was a little sluggish at first but turning off the debugging mode sped it right up. We also noticed a bit of ghosting while resizing or moving windows but that also seemed to resolve itself when debugging was turned off.

Fusion is best appreciated through a hands-on demonstration and is available as a free download while it's in beta. The price will eventually be $79.99, but VMware is offering 50% off the price for a limited time. Still can't decide? Check out our Gallery to see more Fusion screenshots.

Gallery: VMware Fusion

Tags: fusion, linux, mac, tuaw, unity, virtualization, vmware, windows

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neil Cauldwell said 12:49PM on 7-01-2007

How do you rate this against the latest release of Parallels?

I've just made the PC to Mac switch (new 15" MBP). Parallels was installed just a few days ago, and apart from struggling to find a way to access 'localhost' in OS X in WinXP on Parallels, the experience has been pretty good.

Jon said 2:00PM on 7-01-2007

Since you were paid by linux to write articles for them how ethical is it to write a story for downloadsquad as cutting edge technology?? Also, it seems kind of lazy to promote material you're already familiar with on here.

Karl Katzke said 12:49AM on 7-02-2007

I was just going to say .. you can use Fusion while it's in Beta, or you can get Parallels, which comes with Coherence and a bunch of other nifty features.

I'm kinda shocked that you didn't even attempt to mention Paralells Desktop in the article about Fusion. That doesn't seem to be very good reporting to me.

Lisa Hoover said 8:55AM on 7-02-2007

Hi Karl, I agree that Parallels is great. This wasn't meant to be a comprehensive overview of all the virtualization products out there, though, just a quick overview of a new product about to hit the market. Thanks for reading Download Squad!

Lisa Hoover said 8:58AM on 7-02-2007

MJH said 12:29PM on 7-02-2007

"Fusion will find and run the existing Windows OS that ships with Boot Camp, so a separate Windows installation isn't necessary in that case."

This is a mis-statement. Windows does not ship with bootcamp. I believe the correct information is that Fusion will work with a bootcamp installed Windows partition, allowing the user to access Windows while still in OS-X.

Kathy Davie said 3:59PM on 7-02-2007

I made the switch to Mac mid-May and installed Parallels. What a nightmare! I'm usually on the computer for hours. With Parallels, I avoid my office as much as possible. The computer isn't fun anymore! I can't wait until Unity-Fusion comes out!! It can't be worse than Parallels...

BigMac said 4:17PM on 7-02-2007

Unity is already in the latest beta of Fusion. I didn't get on well with Parallels, but have had absolutely no problem so far with Fusion, especially since the latest round of bug fixes and new features in Beta 4.

Shunnabunich said 2:19PM on 7-05-2007

I've tried both Coherence Mode under Parallels and Unity under Fusion, and right now Unity is far superior: When using Expose, Coherence treats the entire Windows desktop, even though its background is invisible, as a single "object". You can't select an individual Windows window, like in Unity. Unity also adds shadows to Windows' windows, which is a welcome bit of class. Unfortunately, I've had absolutely no success at running Windows from the Boot Camp partition on my parents' Mac mini using either Parallels or VMware.

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