VMware Fusion 3 [OLD VERSION]

Using a MacBook Pro with i7 multi-core and 8GB of memory. I still need to run a few Windows apps (including Adobe's Photoshop and Premiere) and, unwilling to pony up for new Mac versions I tried VMWare.The verdict: don't.I first tried a "full" VM installation of Windows 7/64, per recommendations I read on the VMWare support site. The default video driver (which you don't seem to be able to replace) first manifest its limitations when Premiere could not use any GPU acceleration. Unacceptable, as that kills smooth preview playbacks during editing. Next problem: I use an Alien Skin plugin for Photoshop. In the VM, any use would crash Photoshop. Totally unacceptable.I then tried installing Windows in Boot Camp, which introduces very good Apple drivers for your system, and then to call apps from VMWare again. First problem: VMWare wrote stuff to my Boot Camp installation, and I lost several drivers. Back to the lousy graphics driver and all the problems (even when I would re-boot instead of using VMWare, which means VMWare trashed my installation), and this time the activation record of my plugin was lost and I couldn't reactivate. A call to Alien Skin verified that you DO NOT want to use VMs when you have license activation servers in the mix--that means most high-end graphics solutions. The problem became worse as the Windows installation itself began to behave badly: unable to write to system folders, Windows updates failing, and other manifestations of serious driver issues.I gave up, re-installed Windows yet again, and kept VMWare off my system. It's been several days now with perfect performance from the Boot Camp partition, and the only thing I changed was no VMWare in the mix. Sure, it's inconvenient to have to re-boot into Windows to use some apps but at least things work!If you're going to do any sort of serious graphics/video work I must recommend you avoid VMWare completely.NOTE: this was a fully-updated VMWare, version 3.1.whatever, the latest one you can get.

After conversations with several of my IT friends, I bought Fusion 3 to install Windows Home Premium 7 on my new MacBook Pro 13 inch machine. Here's my setup:-MacBook Pro running OSX 10.6--4 GB Ram--250 GM HDD-Windows Home Premium 7 32 bit--added Microsoft office 2007 Professional (so I could get Access)-VMWare Fusion 3The only confusing part was that initially I accidentally interrupted the Windows installation, but through a little surfing that I could simply delete the virtual machine and start over.My experience has been very smooth. I can run Windows on Fusion, have multiple programs open, have wireless connected, and still have up to 4 hours of battery life. Note that after discussions, I did choose the 32 bit version of Windows, which may have made the difference in a smoother installation and operation. Since I'm not a gamer, I didn't have to worry about video refresh rates or anything like that. I simply wanted something that would allow me the flexibility of both systems.Now I'm pondering another copy of Fusion to port an ancient XP laptop over to my older MacBook Pro.

After being a PC user since the 80's, I decided to switch to an iMac. There were several critical PC programs I needed to run and I first tried Parallels Desktop. Despite many attempts I could not get Quicken 2010 installed. And, as far as I am concerned, there is no equivalent program for Apple computers (I tried many).A friend suggested Fusion so I bought it. SUCCESS! Runs Quicken with no problems, plus 2 other programs I must have from the PC that Desktop would not load.To me Fusion also seems easier to use. The Unity mode is outstanding.At one point Fusion "forgot" my internet connection, but 5 minutes looking for help on the Fusion website and the problem was solved.Fusion did seem to run a bit slower than Desktop, but with Version 3.1 speed is no longer a problem.I can't compare it to Boot Camp - never tried it, because I want both Mac and PC programs running at the same time.In my humble opinion, Fusion is the best. Highly recommended!

So you've decided to make the jump to a Mac, but still have to have a few Windows programs that you just HAVE to run? VMware Fusion 3 is an outstanding solution to this dilemma. and so far, all my Windows programs (particularly QuickBooks 2009) work just like they do an a PC -- this is a really big deal for me, since I run all of our company's financials this way!I don't have any graphic-intensive games to try on Fusion 3, so I can't give you andy advice in that department, but MS Office 2007 works just fine. Overall, if this is the last thing holding you back, I'd recommend VMware's Fusion 3 to get you over the hump.

VMware Fusion 3 is everything it is advertised to be. Of course it helps to have the most upgraded iMac to be able to seamlessly run OSX 10.6.3 Snow Leopard and Windows 7 at the same time. I use Architectural Home Designer 9 for floor plans etc., and I am able to navigate between both OSX and Windows 7 as if windows 7 is literally just an apps. window. VMware has rewritten the "virtual" rule book for OS within OS applications. The support for questions has been great too. Big fan.

As described..... -jim

I have an iMac with an i7 processor, OS X 10.6, and a Boot Camp installation of Windows XP. VMWare Fusion runs XP almost without flaw. In an age where it's almost impossible to find solid software products, Fusion is a breath of fresh air. It's only drawback is its speed, but if I need to run CPU intensive games or graphics programs, I simply run XP through Boot Camp at power-up. Excellent product!