VMware Fusion set for August 6th release

Stupid question (sorry) - but what do I actually need to buy (in addition to VMFusion) to get windows up and running on my new iMac. Do I buy a normal PC version of Windows, or a Mac version, or does VMFusion provide everything I need to run my Windows Apps already (I doubt the latter, but throw that in just in case).

As a newbie to Mac I tried to use Parallels but was very dissapointed by the quality of the program as it kept crashing. After trying, to no avail, various fixes that I found on their forums (I refuse to pay for technical help for a program less than 1 month old - don't get me started on paying $30 to upgrade to 3.0) the program will now not even start. I sent a dozen crash reports to the tech dept and never received one response. I have since asked to my money back (no answer on that one too - big suprise). I love Fusion as it just works and would recommend it VERY highly over Parallels.

VMWare knows what they are doing. Plain and simple. VMWare will always put Parallels to shame performance wise. Just the fact that you can carry your vm's from your mac and put them on a windows box or even ESX without any conversion is a pretty good reason to stick with VMWare.

Add me to the list of happy VMware users who jumped ship from Parallels.

I had used Parallels 2.5 and the various 3.0 beta builds for about half a year. The slowness & stalling of my CPU during W2K bootup reminded me of the bad old days of Virtual PC. I still don't understand why Parallels don't publicly advertise their user forums, which are helpful but also gave me convincing arguments to give VMware a try, especially after what seemed to be backward step in speed/performance that was lacking in the 3.0 betas.

I had loads of accounting data to migrate switching to VMware, but it wasn't too difficult doing a fresh install--there is some sort of workflow to convert Parallels .hdd files to VMware virtual disks, which you can find on VMware's forums.

A few months on, I've not looked back. I've even used the Snapshot feature on the Fusion beta to run last year's payroll software & reports, and then was able to trash any disk writes from the old software by reverting to pre-Snapshot state. My Windows needs are basic, and Fusion address them without hijacking the CPU for several minutes and is the closest I've found to the perfect emulator.

To those asking "why Fusion over Parallels", here's my opinion:

I own both Parallels (first) and then Fusion (second) and have tried a variety of OS's on both, except windows.
(haven't used windows in either of them; I don't touch windows except under duress).

For running any non-windows OS, ie, Linux (any distro; I've used Redhat EL and Ubuntu and DSL), Solaris (10 or Nevada - 11), OpenBSD, FreeBSD, etc, Fusion seems to work better than Parallels. Supports more OS's, and works more smoothly, with no problems at all. Most of them worked in Parallels, but some didn't. The ones that did, didn't work as nicely.

For running windows I have no idea which is better, but I don't care! :-)
But for non-windows use, I recommend you go Fusion. Parallels seems to be more windows-focussed, whereas Fusion seems to be focused on everything.

I have both Parallels and Fusion running on my MacBook, and I have to say for an average user like myself, it doesn't make any difference which you use, they both get the job done.

Since I have bought Paralles for $79, I see absolutely no reason to shell out another $79 for Fusion so I can run my MS-Office with Access along with a handful of other Windows only software.


If $79 is too much, you can also try the open-source VirtualBox which is not nearly as refined or as many features as Paralles or Fusion but it does work and it is FREE!!!

http://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Any have their cisco VPN work in fusion. Thats the only thing stopping me from converting from parallels, which I've used since day one. I can't get the cisco VPN to work in the virtualized windows XP in fusion.

Hmm . . . this post has convinced me to try the Fusion beta for a couple of days to compare it to Parallels. I could switch.

Marcus,

You can use VMware Converter to convert your Parallels VM to a VMware VM.

Here's step by step instructions on how to do it:

http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=92089

I am a current Parallels 3 user and would like to try out VMWare's Fusion and decide for myself which I would prefer. Would I be able to use my current WinXP install used by Parallels?