VMWare Fusion beta supports 3D graphics, Leopard
updated 11:05 am EST, Fri March 2, 2007
VMWare Fusion Beta 2
VMware today released a second beta of its virtualization software that allows uses to run other operating systems, including Windows, from within Mac OS X. VMWare Fusion Beta 2 brings experimental 3D graphics support, snapshots to rollback virtual machines when recovering from bad software installs or viruses, and improved support for Windows Vista. The software, an alternative to the Bootcamp solution offered by Apple, enables users to both install and run operating systems while running Mac OS X; Bootcamp, on the other hand, requires users to choose a single OS on startup. Fusion offers support for Windows XP/Vista as well as Linux and Unix distributions.
The update improves networking by automatically bridging to the computer's primary network interface, and adds full support for Airport wireless networking. VMWare Fusion Beta 2 also offers improved Windows Vista support, enhances the hardware editor, includes a better full screen mode, and brings experimental support for Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard. The beta release is available for free (system requirements were unavailable).
Windows Vista support
The new beta adds support for Microsoft Vista Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate editions with complete VMware Tools support for Microsoft Vista -- including copy/paste functionality, drag-and-drop file support, shared folders, and screen resizing.
Further improvements
The improved full screen mode adds support for plugging and unplugging displays while virtual machines are in full screen mode, and improves usability with an on-screen tip displaying how to enter as well as exit full screen mode. The update enhances keyboard as well as mouse support by ensuring that third-party graphics tablets, keyboards, and mice no longer interfere with keyboard and mouse support.
Improved CD/DVD support complements better support for mounting and unmounting discs in virtual machines. VMware Fusion Beta 2 also offers a workaround to disable Quicken Scheduler when it is detected to prevent corruption of keyboard and mouse input in virtual machines.
Earlier this week, rival Parallels released a significant update to Parallels Desktop for Mac, which brought a slew of new features and updates, including support for Windows Vista and Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jul 2004
Parallels
I have been using Parallels, they were supposed to add 3D support in the next major release, and while they have added Coherance and other nice features this is still missing.
If VMWare can get a final product done with this feature before Parallels can implement it - they may be able to catch up in the Mac virtualization market.