VMware Launches Second 'Fusion' Beta for Macs

Vikingod · Mar 3, 2007, 09:10 PM

Source: eWEEK
__________
VMware is looking to entice Apple enthusiasts with a new beta release of its "Fusion" virtualization software for Macintosh desktops and laptops.

The Palo Alto, Calif., company announced on March 2 that Beta 2 of its free virtualization software for Macs can now be downloaded from its Web site. VMware launched the original beta on Dec. 21.

~~DudeBoyz~~ · Mar 3, 2007, 10:14 PM

I tried this out when I heard about it yesterday and it was apparent right away that it is not nearly ready for prime time.

Parallels just flat out works - VMware in its current state does not.

VMware has problems with mouse synchronization. Bigtime. The mouse speed inside the Virtual Machine is substantially slower than the host operating system (OS X). I actually had to move my MX518 mouse over to my iMac so I could take advantage of the hardware based DPI changing function. I had to increase the DPI inside the VM then decrease it in the host OS. Thankfully, the mouse supports on the fly changes directly via the + and - buttons on the mouse itself.

VMware is very, very slow by comparison, and also is very bad at providing feedback during install procedures. Parallels is vastly superior in terms of video emulation support as well. It's driver is fully integrated, not requiring you to install add-ons after the fact. VMware, on the other hand, has a patchwork approach, saying that in order to get the display to actually show anything beyond 640x480x16 bit or 800x600x16 bit, you must install a separate add-on app. That process should be automated and seemless to the user. In fact, it should be fully built-in to the VMware shell instead of being some afterthought.

Parallels properly handled a Suse 10.2 install - VMware did not.

I could go on and on here, but suffice it to say that VMware is flat out not ready for prime time on the Mac and OS X.

I was stunned to see the comments made by VMware reps who claimed that they were ahead of the curve compared to Parallels. You have GOT to be kidding me!!!

Parallels just finished a period of testing and came out with a completed product with advanced features, clearly demonstrating that they are far ahead of VMware in terms of OS X. VMware is on only its SECOND test release. Who are they trying to fool?

I'm not impressed by VMware in the slightest. I can't imagine how anybody could be, at least when it comes to the OS X version.

Mar 3, 2007, 09:10 PM	#1
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,187 Rep Power: 109 System Specs	VMware Launches Second 'Fusion' Beta for Macs Source: eWEEK __________ VMware is looking to entice Apple enthusiasts with a new beta release of its "Fusion" virtualization software for Macintosh desktops and laptops. The Palo Alto, Calif., company announced on March 2 that Beta 2 of its free virtualization software for Macs can now be downloaded from its Web site. VMware launched the original beta on Dec. 21. __________________ *How You Can Help DriverHeaven By Using Digg*

Mar 3, 2007, 10:14 PM	#2
~~DudeBoyz~~ banned Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,677 Rep Power: 0	I tried this out when I heard about it yesterday and it was apparent right away that it is not nearly ready for prime time. Parallels just flat out works - VMware in its current state does not. VMware has problems with mouse synchronization. Bigtime. The mouse speed inside the Virtual Machine is substantially slower than the host operating system (OS X). I actually had to move my MX518 mouse over to my iMac so I could take advantage of the hardware based DPI changing function. I had to increase the DPI inside the VM then decrease it in the host OS. Thankfully, the mouse supports on the fly changes directly via the + and - buttons on the mouse itself. VMware is very, very slow by comparison, and also is very bad at providing feedback during install procedures. Parallels is vastly superior in terms of video emulation support as well. It's driver is fully integrated, not requiring you to install add-ons after the fact. VMware, on the other hand, has a patchwork approach, saying that in order to get the display to actually show anything beyond 640x480x16 bit or 800x600x16 bit, you must install a separate add-on app. That process should be automated and seemless to the user. In fact, it should be fully built-in to the VMware shell instead of being some afterthought. Parallels properly handled a Suse 10.2 install - VMware did not. I could go on and on here, but suffice it to say that VMware is flat out not ready for prime time on the Mac and OS X. I was stunned to see the comments made by VMware reps who claimed that they were ahead of the curve compared to Parallels. You have GOT to be kidding me!!! Parallels just finished a period of testing and came out with a completed product with advanced features, clearly demonstrating that they are far ahead of VMware in terms of OS X. VMware is on only its SECOND test release. Who are they trying to fool? I'm not impressed by VMware in the slightest. I can't imagine how anybody could be, at least when it comes to the OS X version.