Virtualization heavy hitter VMware has unveiled an updated, beta version of "Fusion," a product that allows Intel-based Mac users to run Windows or any other x86 operating systems simultaneously. The product, available as a free download from VMware's Web site, updates a prior Fusion beta released in December.
VMware plans to sell a non-beta version later this year after beta testers provide feedback. No pricing information was announced.
The beta update comes only a week after Parallels' much publicized release of its Desktop for Mac product that does the same thing.
VMware, in announcing its desktop virtualization for the Mac, said the product was "designed from the ground up" to make the side-by-side running of the Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) 
OS and PC operating systems and applications "simple and painless ... easy, safe and fun."
Market Leader
The nine-year-old Palo Alto, Calif.-based company, which is 90 percent owned by EMC (NYSE: EMC) , has made a name for itself with a virtual machine suite for Intel (Nasdaq: INTC) x86-compatible computers.
The company is relying on that history in marketing 
the new product. "VMware invented x86 virtualization in 1998 and our rock-solid and advanced virtualization platform is used by more than 4 million users worldwide," the company said.
VMware's experience in the world of virtualization will make Fusion a viable competitor with Parallels' Desktop for Mac, predicted David Perry, a principal analyst with UK-based Freeform Dynamics.
"Because it comes from VMware, I think you have to take it seriously," Perry told MacNewsWorld. "They clearly know about virtualization because they've got a lot of experience with it."
Other, lesser-known companies might not be able to make a dent in Parallels' market share, but VMware is an established name and that "buys them a lot of credibility," he added. However, Perry said it's unlikely that a side-by-side comparison of features will sway purchasers into buying one product over the other.
Fusion should be a success because large business customers regularly ask his company for VMware virtualization products, not for Parallels' version, stated Mike Thompson, President of Groupware Technology, a Campbell, Calif.-based solution provider.
"From our perspective, VMware is the leader in the virtual space," Thompson told MacNewsWorld. "Parallels might have made a splash in the market with this, but I believe they will be overcome because of VMware's engineering resources and leadership within the marketplace."
Thompson believes VMware will emerge as the dominant player within the MAC OS, just as it has done in the x86 platform. "When our users look at virtualization, VMware is usually part of the conversation," he said.
Bells and Whistles
The VMware product offers 64-bit support while the current Parallels package only supports 32-bit operating systems, "but Parallels says they will add that later this year," Perry noted. Meanwhile, the fact that the Parallels product has been shipping for a while probably gives it an advantage and "traction in the market," he observed.
The VMware software features 3D support for DirectX 8.1 games, easier ways of adding virtual hard drives, support for up to 10 virtual network interfaces and a feature called "Rollback" that allows users to return to earlier configurations if the Windows virtual machine "becomes unresponsive after installing a new Windows application."
Additionally, Fusion allows the reading and writing of CDs and DVDs and includes complete USB 2.0 support -- even for proprietary video cameras, Bluetooth and other Windows-only devices.
VMware also notes its customers can try Linux or Solaris operating systems by downloading preconfigured versions from its Virtual Appliance Marketplace. "In fact, there are over 350 available virtual appliances from Virtual Appliance Marketplace that you can try on your Mac with just the click of a button," the company said.
Fusion, available via download from the VMware site, comes with "experimental" support for Mac OS X 10.5, the new Apple operating system that's yet to be released (also known as Leopard).
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