Matthew Holden

This article specifically looks at the VMwares desktop product VMware Fusion 2.0x and we have to say it’s a winner. Matthew Rating: MMMMM

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When Apple Inc released the new range of Intel Processors for their range of computers, they opened up a plethora of business opportunities namely, the ability of Windows users to use a Macintosh computer to run Windows XP, Vista or other operating systems and software.

We used a 15" MacBook Pro 2.16Ghz, 2Mb memory with an upgraded hard drive of 320Gb.

We loaded the VMware Fusion software, installed a Windows XP Professional SP2 operating system in the hard drive and installation was painless and worked first time.

DEFINITION: We define Virtual Machine Software as a computer system that runs within another computer, instead of running on a separate physical machine.

APPROACH: Once the VMware Fusion is installed we then create our Windows XP "Virtual" computers. We created two and then to further increase performance of the Windows XP virtual computer we removed a number of XP components, tuned performance, defragmented and turned off all unnecessary graphics etc.

You then need to install some software tools: Virtual Machine > Install VM Tools and then you can then mirror your Macintosh desktop with your Windows XP machines running on your Mac.

You can turn on your networking and then use Windows to access your network or network servers just as you would if you were using a full fledged Windows laptop.

Virtual Machines are not new. They have been around for some years but usually in the high end computing server markets. What makes this product interesting is that VMware have made available in shrink wrapped retail fashion software for the Macintosh user.

VMware, based in Palo Alto, California have a range of products. The name "VMware" comes from the acronym "VM", meaning "virtual machine", while "ware" comes from second part of software.

VMware Workstation. This is the first product launched by VMware in 1999. This software suite allows users to run multiple instances of x86 or x86-64 compatible operating systems such as Windows XP Pro/Home or Vista on a single physical PC.

VMware Fusion. Fusion provides similar functionality for users of the Macintosh-Intel platform, along with full compatibility with virtual machines created by other VMware products.

VMware Player. This is for users without a license to use VMware Workstation or VMware Fusion, VMware offers this software as freeware product, which can run (but not create) virtual machines.

Tags: Apple, MacBook Pro, Software review, Virtualization, VMware, VMware Fusion, Web definition, Windows XP

This entry was posted on Monday, November 17th, 2008 at 11:58 am and is filed under Technology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.