VMware upgrades Fusion for cleaner Windows on Mac

VMware have released VMware Fusion 7, which allows users to easily create virtual machines to run Windows applications on Mac hardware without the need for complicated tasks like dual-booting.

VMware has released VMware Fusion 7, which is optimised for the latest Mac hardware and software to deliver the ultimate Windows on Mac experience. VMware is also releasing VMware Fusion 7 Pro with features for advanced users, developers and Macs in businesses.

According to a recent Gartner report, Windows accounts for over 95 percent of operating systems worldwide, so we believe many users will likely still need support for Windows applications after moving to a Mac,” said Nicolas Rochard, director of product marketing, End-User Computing, VMware. “As the popularity of Macs continues to climb, Fusion 7 and Fusion 7 Pro are a strong complement to help users bridge the operating system divide when switching from Windows PCs to Mac laptops and desktops.

VMware Fusion 7

VMware Fusion 7 is an easy, fast and reliable way to run Windows applications on a Mac without rebooting. It is recommended for new and existing Mac users who want to continue using critical Windows applications.

Updates include:

¬∑ OS X Yosemite support – Adopting Yosemite’s key design cues such as translucency in windows, streamlined toolbars and simplified Dock icon, Fusion 7 adds more dimension when managing virtual machines. It also leverages Yosemite’s control features to enable a consistent experience across the operating system.

· Powerful virtual machines and graphics РCreate virtual machines with up to 16 vCPUs, 8 TB virtual disks and up to 64 GB of memory to run the most demanding applications. Graphics-intensive applications can now be given an additional boost by allocating up to 2 GB of video memory per virtual machine.

¬∑ Support for the latest Macs – Optimised for the latest Intel Core i5, i7 and Xeon E5 processors, Fusion 7 delivers up to 43 percent improvements in CPU intensive operations like multimedia, encryption and decryption, and other strenuous performance tests. Leveraging the Mac’s faster memory, faster SSD performance and greater power under the hood, Fusion 7 lets users run Windows applications at near-native performance.

¬∑ Increased efficiency – Fusion 7 reduces its energy impact on Macs to help users do more on a single charge. Improvements in App Nap support and reduction in Idle Wake Ups allow every watt of power coming out of your Mac’s battery to be used as efficiently as possible. Fusion 7 shows an energy impact reduction of up to 42 percent compared to Fusion 6.

· Retina display optimisation РWindows with Retina display optimisation delivers a crisp and detailed experience of Windows applications. If a Mac has a native Retina display or is connected to one, Fusion 7 enables users to have a seamless experience when running Windows across Retina and non-Retina displays.

VMware Fusion 7 Pro

VMware Fusion 7 Pro offers features designed for technical professionals that want to run Windows applications on a Mac without rebooting.

Updates include:

· Unmatched OS support for great compatibility РFusion 7 Pro is designed for OS X Yosemite and fully supports the latest Microsoft operating systems, from Windows 8.1 for the desktop to Windows 2012 R2 for the server. For organisations and technical users that run the latest Linux distribution, Fusion 7 Pro supports Ubuntu 14.04, RHEL 7, CentOS 7, Fedora 20, Debian 8 and many more.

· More VMware connectivity РConnection to VMware vSphere or VMware Workstation is now available, allowing users to extend and scale virtual machines to a private cloud. Users can easily connect to hosted virtual machines and run, upload or download virtual machines directly within Fusion 7 Pro.

· Dual GPU optimisation РFor MacBook Pros with a discrete GPU as well as an integrated GPU, Fusion 7 Pro lets users choose which GPU to use for 3D applications. Selecting the integrated GPU enables longer battery life, while selecting the discrete GPU offers high performance for 3-D applications in a virtual machine.

· Enhanced connectivity and iSight support РMacs equipped with an iSight camera can now use it to conduct video conferences within a Windows virtual machine. Fusion 7 Pro also supports USB 3.0 for fast file transfers, HD audio with 5.1 surround sound, and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology.

¬∑ Enhanced productivity – The Fusion Pro Virtual Machine Library’s new power state indicator enables users to monitor and shut down virtual machines not in use to improve overall performance. Fusion 7 Pro also enables application-level, user-configurable shortcuts to easily open or switch to a specific virtual machine.

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