VMWare Fusion 1.0, Parallels 3.0 Beta

Sweet, pre-ordered at discounted price and it has now been released:

http://www.vmware.com/support/fusion/doc/releasenotes_fusion.html

Looks like no new features from RC1, just cleaned up bugs, here's forum discussion: http://www.vmware.com/community/thread.jspa?threadID=96956&tstart=0

How does VirtualBox compare to these commercial alternatives? It doesn't have "coherency mode" and whatever it's called in VMWare, but besides that?

cool. although i'll only be running windows on my mac if its a last resort

If you're thinking of buying Fusion, wait until some more people have posted their reports of the 1.0 release. In fact, you might want to wait until the 1.1 release.

I've been using the RC1 for a few weeks and while it's stable and hasn't crashed, the coherence/Unity mode isn't bug free. Additionally, there are often a few moments of lockup (when quitting Fusion, for example; new programs can't be launched for around 20 seconds even though Fusion no longer appears to be running). This is on both a 2GB MacBook and a 2GB iMac C2D.

I've reported these bugs but was brushed aside, with the support staff saying they're unique to my systems. From what I read, the 1.0 release only fixes a handful of "major" bugs to do with crashes, and applies some new artwork.

Also, if you buy in the UK, be aware that you'll be taxed for VAT but you won't be told about this additional charge UNTIL AFTER you've clicked to place the order. I complained about this, which is illegal in my country, but they never replied to me.

Has the graphics acceleration gotten any better? :rolleyes: ;)

How does VirtualBox compare to these commercial alternatives? It doesn't have "coherency mode" and whatever it's called in VMWare, but besides that?

I've never used VirtualBox but I can say that the Unity (coherence) mode of Fusion is pretty impressive. Program windows from the Windows virtual machines really do appear as program windows on OS X, complete with Dock buttons (although this is a little buggy in RC1 of Fusion and they stick around after the program has quit). Note that only Windows apps have Unity. Linux or Solaris doesn't.

That said, it's not perfect. The windows are laggy/glitchy when dragged around. This might just be issues with the RC1 release, however.

I use Unity mode to run DRM crapware such as the BBC's iPlayer. I can run WMP11 in a window on the desktop, while browsing or using other OS X apps.

Good times.

this means nothing to me until i get my macbook with leopard on it at the start of november.

Also, if you buy in the UK, be aware that you'll be taxed for VAT but you won't be told about this additional charge UNTIL AFTER you've clicked to place the order. I complained about this, which is illegal in my country, but they never replied to me.

That did irritate me, there was zero indication of it and 17.5% isn't just an extra few pennies.

Damn! I was going to buy it on the 50% off pre-order deal and didn't realize it was ending so fast. :mad:

Oh well.