User Reviews

1. Review Date: 2009-11-21

   I've been a loyal user of VMware products for a long time, so when the Fusion 3.0 product came out, I didn't hesitate to upgrade my earlier release to the new version. Mainly, I hoped to use the new PC migration assistant to bring an old WIndows XP desktop I rarely use over to my Mac. Unfortunately, this was much more difficult than it should have been, to the extent that I wonder if VMware adequately tests any of these peripheral functions. I found a bunch of obvious problems, mostly on the Windows side...simple things such as Windows services not being automatically started, permission problems and so on. There seem to be many similar tales on the Internet, so I don't think I'm alone in this. After struggling with it for several hours and getting nothing more than a "General Error has Occurred" message, I finally gave up. Instead, I installed VMware's vConverter (there's a free trial on the web site) and it promptly reported a problem with my volume shadow copy service. After changing a few settings, I was able to use vConverter to create an image of my old Windows XP system on a removable hard drive that I could bring into the Mac version of Fusion.
   
   In fairness, once I got the virtual image over to VMware Fusion, it ran flawlessly - and notably faster than what I recall from Fusion 2.0. So far, I've had Windows up for several days with no instability or outages at all to complain about. I also have Vista and RedHad Linux virtual machines up, with no complaints at all - in every way, once you're up and running, Fusion 3.0 seems to be a better product than 2.0, although if you're new to virtualization and are relying on things like the PC migration assistant, you're likely in for a few surprises.
   
   Otherwise, seems to be a worthwhile upgrade.
   
   User: Busy Executive
   Rating:
   Summary: Okay, but problems with PC Migration Assistant
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 0
   

2. Review Date: 2009-11-19

   I have been very pleased with the performance of VMFUSION 3 on my Mac Pro.
   
   The Mac has Dual Quad core Xeon 2.8Ghz processors with 4 cores and 8 GB allocated to the Win 7 VM. I am using the std video card that came with the MAC which is a pretty decent card. Drives on both machines are SATA, same brand and models. The PC is using a high end ASUS P6T board, Intel I7 920 Quad-Core processor, 6GB DDR3 RAM and an inexpensive (49.00 on sale) 512mb video card.
   
   -------->MAC->PC
   Processor 7.1 7.4
   RAM 7.9 7.5
   Graphics 2.0 3.7
   Gaming Graphics 3.4 4.3
   Primary HD 5.9 5.8
   
   Either machine could have the video card upgraded to get better numbers for gaming, but I did not have any problem with Aero on my Mac and am happy with the performance.
   
   BF2 did not run well in my XP VM, frame rate was too slow. I decided to run Red Alert 3 as a native Mac app after I saw it was avail. As far as I am concerned, I can run a Boot Camp XP to run my games in and get full performance.
   
   With the flexibility that Fusion has given me, I am very happy with the product and the performance. I am a professional developer, not a professional gamer and as long as there is a way to run my games on this box, either with boot camp or in a VM, I really don't care how it gets done.
   
   User: Sleepless In St. Louis
   Rating:
   Summary: VMFUSION VS NATIVE WINDOWS 7
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 1
   

3. Review Date: 2009-11-15

   I cut my teeth in virtualization software with VMWare's Fusion 2 so I probably have a bias towards it when I say I have found VMWare Fusion 3 easier to navigate and more intuitive to use than Parallels 5. Now that I've tried both [VMWare Fusion and Parallels] I'm sticking with VMWare's Fusion--it just works for me. YMMV. Best of luck with whichever virtualization software you choose.
   
   User: N. A. Recob
   Rating:
   Summary: Sticking with VMWare Fusion....
   Helpful Votes: 0
   Total Votes: 1
   

4. Review Date: 2009-11-11

   This does nothing more than can be done with free alternatives.
   WARNING - It installs kernel extensions that not only slow down your system, but can make it unresponsive, unstable, and problematic.
   I uninstalled this tool after just a week of use. Its buggy, and not worth the money.
   
   User: Mr. D. L. Andrews
   Rating:
   Summary: Terrible!
   Helpful Votes: 1
   Total Votes: 5
   

5. Review Date: 2009-11-09

   Couldn't get it to do the basic task it is intended for -- put my PC on my MAC. I followed all instructions, disabled firewalls, UAC, etc., installed Migration agent on the PC and Fusion on the MAC, tried to migrate, but the MAC will not recognize my PC (invalid user name or password, it now says).
   
   I decided to create a new virtual machine with XP Pro instead of migrating my old PC. The results are amazing. The virtual PC, now installed with Office 2007, seems faster than a native PC. I don't know why the migration function was totally dysfunctional for me, but alls well that ends well. Now I have the best of both worlds on one platform.
   
   User: DC-Brooklyn
   Rating:
   Summary: Revised review; initial migration problems bypassed by creating a new virtual machine
   Helpful Votes: 1
   Total Votes: 2
   

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Editorial Reviews

VMware Fusion 3 is the Best Way to Run Windows on Your Mac. Run the most demanding Mac and Windows applications side-by-side at maximum speeds without rebooting. With over 50 new features and a new ultra-fast Migration Assistant for Windows, it's never been easier to run Windows on your Mac.

The Best Way to Run Windows on Your Mac.

VMware Fusion 3 is the Best Way to Run Windows on Your Mac.

Using a Mac doesn't mean abandoning your Windows applications and devices. Ditch your PC and safely run your favorite Windows programs alongside Mac applications, while continuing to use your Windows-only devices on your Mac.

Move Your Entire PC with Ease

Effortless Migration--No Cable Required
Wouldn't it be great if you could use your new Mac, yet have access to your old Windows PC, without the clunky hardware? Wouldn't you like to make the most of your Windows software investment on your new Mac? With the built-in Migration Assistant for Windows, VMware Fusion 3 can convert your entire PC and bring it over to your Mac in a few easy steps, giving you access to your Windows applications, documents and other files--whenever you need them. Just install a simple application on your PC, connect it to your Mac with a cable or wirelessly, and VMware Fusion will guide you through the rest. You can now recycle your old PC and still have access to your old applications and files, directly from the Mac you love.

Windows with Mac Simplicity

The Mac Way
Designed from the ground up for Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard, VMware Fusion lets you run your Windows applications--side-by-side with your Mac applications--the Mac way.

Seamless Integration
Instantly launch your favorite Windows applications directly from your Dock or the Apple menu bar at any time. Easily switch between apps and minimize them to your Dock--just like you would with Mac apps.

Run your Windows applications side-by-side with your Mac applications. Click to enlarge.

Instantly launch your favorite Windows applications directly from your Dock or the Apple menu bar. Click to enlarge.

More Mac-like than ever
VMware Fusion comes preloaded with new powerful built-in features to help you run Windows applications even more like Mac applications. The new always-on applications menu lets you access your Windows apps with a click--directly from the Apple menu bar, and the new resizable preview window lets you keep an eye on your virtual machines. The new full screen menu bar gives you complete control over your virtual machine and can be moved to any side of the screen to make guest user interfaces--such as taskbars and menu bars--more accessible.

Windows Powerhouse

Maximum Performance
With a highly optimized 64-bit engine, advanced memory and CPU management technology, run the most demanding Mac and Windows applications side-by-side at maximum speeds.

Advanced 3D Graphics
Play Full HD videos and run your favorite 3D Windows games better than ever with best-in-class OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3 graphics support--all without rebooting.

Ultimate Windows Experience
Get the ultimate Windows experience on the Mac and make the most of Windows 7 with Windows Aero and Flip 3D animations.

Displays Galore
Display Windows and Mac OS X applications any way you want: side-by-side on your main display, in full screen, or across multiple displays connected to your Mac.

Peace of Mind

Protect your Windows Investment
Make the most of your Windows software investment and Windows-only devices by continuing to use the applications and devices you need on the Mac you love.

We've Got You Covered
Automatic snapshots allow you to roll Windows back to a safe state if something goes wrong. For added protection, we've included 18 months of free email support (English only) and a 12-month complimentary subscription to McAfee VirusScan Plus.

Company You Trust
Built by the undisputed virtualization leader, VMware Fusion has won over a dozen awards for its unparalleled excellence.

Play Full HD videos and run your favorite 3D Windows games. Click to enlarge.

Make the most of Windows 7 with Windows Aero and Flip 3D animations. Click to enlarge.

Features

• Optimized for Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard
• Highly optimized 64-bit engine, advanced memory and CPU management for maximum performance
• Advanced 3D graphics with support for OpenGL2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3
• Support for Windows Aero and Flip 3D animations to get the ultimate Windows experience on the Mac
• New ultra-fast Migration Assistant for Windows to transfer your entire PC to your Mac wirelessly or using a cable
• More than 50 new features

What's differentiates VMware Fusion 3 from other solutions
VMware Fusion is designed from the ground up for the Mac and preloaded with powerful new features to help you run Windows applications even more like Mac applications. Engineered in California, VMware Fusion is the best way to run Windows on your Mac.

VMware Fusion 3 is recommended for:
Home users, students and business professionals who are looking for the fastest, easiest and most reliable way to run Windows and Mac applications side-by-side on their Mac without rebooting.

Technical specifications

• Windows Aero support
• DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3.0 support
• OpenGL 2.1 3D support
• Over 140 guest OSes supported: Windows XP, Vista and 7, Red Hat Linux 9.0, Ubuntu 9.04 and more!
• 64-bit Native
• Multilingual software (English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Japanese and Simplified Chinese)

What's in the box?

• VMware Fusion 3.0 Software CD
• Link to over 10 Video Tutorial
• Quickstart Guide
• VMware stickers
• 18-months of free email-support (English only)
• 12-month complimentary subscription to McAfee VirusScan Plus.

Product Details

1. VMware Fusion 3 provides the ultimate Windows experience on the Mac
2. Optimized for Mac OS X Leopard and Snow Leopard
3. 64-bit native and advanced 3D graphics
4. Windows 7 support including Windows Aero and Flip 3D animations
5. Ultra-fast Migration Assistant for Windows to transfer your entire PC to your Mac wirelessly or using an Ethernet cable