VMware Fusion Beta 3 Now Available
VMWare has released the third public beta of VMWare Fusion for the Mac today. VMware Fusion enables you to run any PC application on your Intel-based Mac. Using VMware Fusion, you can run Windows, Linux, Solaris and other Intel- or AMD- operating systems right alongside Mac OS X, safely and easily, without the need to reboot your computer.
Only VMware Fusion takes full advantage of 64-bit dual-core and dual-processor chips for maximum performance. You can run 64-bit operating systems such as Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition on your virtual machines, or leverage VirtualSMP capabilities to create and run multi-processor virtual machines.
VMware Fusion also includes a cutting-edge 3D technology that enables you to play select DirectX 8.1 games on your Mac. What’s more, you will get full read/write support for CDs and DVDs, as well as complete USB 2.0 support-even for proprietary video cameras, Bluetooth devices and other Windows-only peripherals.
I haven’t tried the new beta yet, but I found beta 2 worked very well on my MacBook Pro. I prefer VMWare to Parallels for running Linux since they have Linux tools to synchronize the computer’s clock and let you move the mouse freely in and out of the VM window. With Parallels, since they lack Linux tools, the VM window captures the mouse until you hit a key to release it. Furthermore, the latest Ubuntu Linux release, “Feisty Fawn” will not boot in Parallels, but I’ve been able to install it successfully in VMWare beta 2. However, Parallels coherence mode still beats VMWare for running Windows.
[B]What’s New and Improved with VMware Fusion Beta 3[/B]
- Improved performance: You now have the option of turning off debugging features in VMware Fusion to enjoy even better performance.
- Support for Boot Camp: You no longer have to choose between Windows or Mac–run Windows XP side-by-side with Mac OS X off your existing Boot Camp partition.
- Windows Easy Install: Just answer a few simple questions, insert your Windows CD, and VMware Fusion will automatically create a Windows virtual machine that is optimized for your Mac.
- Virtual machine packages: Virtual machines are now encapsulated in a single, easy-to-manage package. Move your virtual machines to another hard drive or Mac simply by copying a file.
- Enhanced virtual machine management: Managing multiple virtual machines and changing virtual machine settings is even easier with the Virtual Machine Library.
- Improved international support: European and Japanese Apple keyboards now work properly in virtual machines.
Download VMware Fusion Beta 3 here.
Tags: Intel
