VMware released version 4 of Fusion for the Mac earlier this week. Fusion 4 virtualization software will let Mac users run Windows, Linux and now Mac OS X Lion along with the native Mac OS X operating system. VMWare claims that the new version if optimized for Mac OS X Lion and that it offers over 90 new features. The biggest new feature is the apps ability to virtualize Mac OS X Lion.
According to VMWare users upgrading from an earlier version can expect to see the following:
With more than 90 new features and now optimized for today’s multi-core Macs and OS X Lion, key features in VMware Fusion 4 include:
- Built for OS X Lion – VMware Fusion 4 is designed for OS X Lion. The updated user interface makes working with your Windows applications quicker and easier. Launch Windows applications from LaunchPad, move from Windows to Mac with a single swipe in Mission Control and beautiful high-resolution icons. It just works. VMware Fusion 4 is also compatible with Mac OS X 10.6.7 (Snow Leopard).
- Better Performance and Faster Graphics –With a highly optimized 64-bit engine and multicore processing faster than ever, VMware Fusion 4 will let you run Windows and Mac applications side-by-side at maximum speeds without sacrificing on reliability. With more than 2.5x faster 3D graphics and support for OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3 graphics VMware Fusion 4 will make running highly demanding 3D applications like AutoCAD 2011 a breeze.
- Even More “Mac-like” Experience – VMware Fusion 4 enhances the way you experience Windows applications on a Mac. From the new App Unity feature, to the redesigned user interface, and Time Machine-compatible Snapshots, everything has been refined to give users an even more mac-like experience when running Windows applications on a Mac.
- Lion Squared – VMware Fusion 4 now supports OS X Lion in a virtual machine. Get more from your Mac by running OS X Lion, OS X Lion Server, Mac OS X Snow Leopard Server and Mac OS X Leopard Server in virtual machines. VMware Fusion 4 is the best way to develop and test new applications for the Mac and iOS.
Currently VMware Fusion 4 is being offered at a discounted promotional price of $49.99 until the end of the year, after which time pricing will go to $79.99. However, if you use checkout coupon code, FUSION20, like I did today you can upgrade for $39.99. If you purchased Fusion 3 on or after July 20th you are eligible for a free upgrade to Fusion 4.
VMware’s main competition comes from Parallels Desktop 7 which was released less than three weeks ago. Parallels Desktop 7 has a number of advanced features and wizards that make it a lot easier to use than VMWare Fusion 4.
VMWare Fusion 4 seems to have been rushed to market since there are indications that users are already complaining about it and the instructions for installing Mac OS X Lion are a lot harder than clicking a few buttons in Parallels Desktop 7.
Especially when you take into consideration that the installation file it tells you to use to install Mac OS X Lion with self-destructs after you use it so most people won’t have it handy. Parallels Desktop 7’s elegant way of using the Recovery HD partition to install Mac OS X Lion works a lot better as a result VMWare Fusion 4 is a lot harder to use.
David W. Martin has more than 20 years of experience in the industry as a programmer, systems and business analyst, author, and consultant. David has written for CNET’s iPhoneatlas.com, MacLife.com, CultofMac.com, BYTE.com and recently for aNewDoman.net. He comes to Cult of Mac’s website with deep knowledge and passion for the all things Apple. Follow David on Twitter @david_w_martin or see what he’s up to now at davidwmartin.com.
28 responses to “VMWare Fusion 4 Adds Lion Support & Virtualization, But Remains Hard To Use”
I found it very easy to install windows 7 with Fusion 4 Â VMware feels very clean and lite and my parallels 7 feels clunky to me for some reason
“the installation file it tells you to use to install Mac OS X Lion with self-destructs after you use it so most people won’t have it handy”
You can thank Apple for that.
“elegant way of using the Recovery HD partition to install Mac OS X Lion works a lot better”
Yes, it’s so elegant to redownload 3GB+.
I don’t like Fusion based purely on features or performance, but I wouldn’t argue that it’s harder to use just because it doesn’t use the recovery partition.
Especially as most users who would need/want to install Lion in a VM will be Power Users who will likely have their own ISO or copy of the DMG anyway.
Easy for me, I have both Windows 7 x64 ultimate and Windows 8 installed.
wwaaw
Heyy Guys, I just got a $829.99 iPÃ¥d2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HDTV for only $251.92, they are both coming with USPS tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prices at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37″ HDTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for.
I use “BïdsFïrst,com“
Not sure what is the real basis of this article (which seems to be rushed itself … most of it is based on the press release content).
Redownloading the Mac OS X Lion Installer is a trip to the App Store. Â At the number of clicks to install Lion as a VM is 7 (I counted the steps). Â Considering that the install is often a one time activity, making a generalized comment on the entire product (since the actual usability during normal use is not really talked about here) is somewhat fluffy.
Even Killian Bell says its the easiest to setup in his tutorial on Installing the Win 8 in virtual machine,, http://www.cultofmac.com/11429…
the recovery hd sits on your computer, it’s not Internet recovery
Someone is a Parallels fanboy . .
As someone who configured a working Lion VM in Fusion 3, let me tell you, it’s drop dead simple in 4. I fail to see the big difficulty here.
Besides, Fusion remains way, way more stable than Parallels and way more compatible. Parallels? No thanks.
I heard somewhere that even the recovery HD has to redownload. That 600MB isn’t a compressed Lion installer, it’s just some utilities, e.g. Disk Utility, Terminal, and a few other stuff.
windows 8 works super on vmware …on parallels 7 sucks. clearly Mr. David Martin is a Parallels fan and this article is verry subjective . Shame on you sir…
Easy for me, I have both Windows 7 x64 ultimate and Windows 8 installed. …
Heyy Guys, I just got a $829.99 iPÃ¥d2 for only $103.37 and my mom got a $1499.99 HDTV for only $251.92, they are both coming with USPS tomorrow. I would be an idiot to ever pay full retail prices at places like Walmart or Bestbuy. I sold a 37″ HDTV to my boss for $600 that I only paid $78.24 for.
I use “BïdsFïrst,com“
Running 4.0.1 Fusion here it is awesome.
Coupon code FUSION20 does not work!
I finally had some time to review Fusion and Parallels — if anyone is interested… http://www.theonlycog.com/post…