Customer Reviews
Nearly ideal 
2008-07-10
I'm not even going to bother explaining the usefulness of VMWare, there are plenty of reviews doing just that and doing it well...
Parallels vs VMware
I've used both Parallels and VMware Fusion, each have their positives and negatives. For instance...
Parallels 3 can boot off windows in on a USB drive VMware cannot (nor can windows)
Parallels 3 can boot off non-bootable eSATA ports. VMware cannot
Parallels 3 can populate Mac with Windows applications so you can set "Open WIth Prefs" to a Window application in OS X to an application Virtual Machine and from the . VMware cannot.
VMware can boot 64-bit XP. Parallels cannot.
VMware can use two cores. Parallels cannot.
Both support integrated Application windows that allow one to virtually "Hide" the Windows Desktop so Apps appear to be more seemless.
However for the most part VMWare is faster and more robust lacking a few of the annoying glitches that inhibited the usefulness of Parallels. Parallels often would glitch on direct drag and drop from Mac to PC desktop and would require an Application restart to allow this functionality to return. Notably VMware is noticeably faster, on my Mac Pro, with plenty of cores to spare, the dual processor functionality is a no-brainer.
For non-gamers such as myself, VMware Fusion's "Good enough" performance is to forever say goodbye to BootCamp reboots.
Works like it says!! 2008-07-07
This product installed very easily and works seamlessly with ALL my Peripherals and MAC programs including the Bluetooth mouse. I'm running on an Airport wireless network with a wireless printer.
Mixed Feelings 
2008-07-06
I tried this product for a business project where I needed to use Windows XP & Vista. The system I used was an iMac Penryn Intel Core2Duo 2.8GHZ, 4GB Ram, 500GB Hard Disk, OS 10.5 Leopard. Installation was easy, but neither operating system would stay activated. Each time we started it up it would require reactivation. We own our licenses, but if we have to reactivate each time we start the virtual machine, it becomes annoying and also raises red flags to Microsoft. Support seemed non-existent. When we actually did get support it was almost a week after we submitted the claim. We ended up returning this to Amazon and used an actual PC instead for the project.
VMware Fusion + RAM = Perfect MacBook 2008-07-05
Purchased this along with 4BG of RAM for my Black MacBook. Installed Windows XP as the "Virtual Machine". Everything works flawlessly. Now I have my Mac and my favorite Windows programs all in the same place! Very VERY useful.
For those that don't know. This software "tricks" Windows XP into thinking it is installed on it's own computer. In reality, Windows XP is installed on the Mac Hard Drive. So when you start VMWare, it starts Windows XP in its own Mac window. You even see the Windows XP startup dialog! So imagine running XP in a Window with Mac OS X and you have the idea. You can also run the XP (or Vista, or whatever) operating system "full screen".
The best way to have the best of both operating systems.
Fusion operates excellently 2008-07-04
As a former Virtual PC user (slow and buggy doesn't even begin to describe how that program works), I was delighted to find a beautiful integration of windows functionality into the Mac OS. I tried all three available for Core Duo chips and found Fusion to be fastest, most flexible, and least buggy. When I tried loading one of my behemoth data processing programs onto Parallels, not only was it slow, the graphics were choppy and often undecipherable. Crossover is limited in what I can put in there and currently does not support xml programs, the new standard. I use crossover still because it runs the programs without opening up a virtual windows program. But my mainstay is Fusion as I can open ebooks made with windows only programs, run my 5 or six important data processing programs and move data back and forth across platforms. I also found accessing all the information on the mac part of the drive easier on Fusion than on Parallels, but maybe I didn't try hard enough. The mac drive shows up under "My Computer" and you're in. I can download anything into OSX and access it later in the fusion window. It makes my workday less complicated. All in all, this is an excellent product. I can't think of any downsides as I haven't bumped into problems yet and I use this product daily.
Parallels Vs. Fusion 2008-07-20
Haven't had luck with either one. Most likely the problem lies with the copy of Windows you are trying to use. Bootlegged? Doesn't work so well. XP people, make sure you have your os disk with SP2 already included on the disk.
Overall, Crash after Crash....after Crash. Everytime I create a new vm with either program, it doesn't want to operate correctly, such as screen freezing, crashing every open program, unable to install windows correctly (my personal favorite because appx. 1 hr. after the os has finally been installed...crash!).
Don't want to scare you. Don't waste your money with either, stick with Bootcamp (no problems since).
FYI--Parallels and Fusion are made by the same company!!! See for yourself.
Seamless installation and operation 2008-07-18
I needed Windows on my MacBook Pro to run the occasional program not available for the Mac. VMware Fusion is a wonderful product which was easy to install and kept all my Internet settings in place, so once Windows XP was installed I had immediate access to the Internet via IE. I'd previously tried installing Windows using Apple's Bootcamp, but after installation I had a bare, unconfigured Windows setup that I had to manually configure--very painful. Under Fusion, Windows operates without a hitch and I can easily pop back and forth between OS X and Windows. If you have to run Windows, the best way to do it is on a Mac under VMware Fusion. It almost makes running Windows enjoyable. I recommend this program without reservations. VMware has done a phenomenal job.
Smith Micro Rebate Service Terrible - VMware Fusion Nice 
2008-07-15
I was not able to review Smith Micro the seller on Amazon, so I am adding it to the review. Smith Micro claimed to have not received our UPC code for the 20 dollar rebate which we did send. Fortunately we had a copy on file because we have had this issue with other rebates before. They say it will take yet another 8-10 weeks to process now. I am suspicious of this rebate and their processing, so if the rebate is tipping the balance to buy from from Smith Micro thru Amazon, beware and make sure you keep copies of everything.
Regarding VMware Fusion. I have had a documented issue with sound which was fixed by reverting to an earlier version and then fixed in a later version. I am suprised at how well everything works, including all USB devices I have tried AND it appears to run XP pro and software much faster than my 2 yr old PC. One instability issue cropped up on the 1.1.3 version and MacOS 10.5.3 which was fixed by setting optimize for Fusion vs the MacOS. The VMware fusion community news groups is pretty helpful. All and all I am suprised as how well this Virtual Machine application works. XP is more stable for me in this Virtual Machine than it is on my PC.
MacBook Pro running XP 2008-07-13
I'm not a "power user" of Fusion but it does the typical tasks I put it to without complaining. I use Microsoft Streets and Trips and IE to access their satellite images. Several websites I use at work require IE and I prefer not to install it on the Mac side. Very stable, extremely fast, easy installation, works with Airport, USB printer, and DVD drive. I recommend this highly.
If you must run Windows 2008-07-12
Leopard still far surpasses any Windows OS. If you own a Mac I am preaching to the choir. Unfortunately some business locations, such as my own, have no support and limited functionality of applications outside of microsoft-ville. If you need to have Windows available on your Mac this is an amazingly simple way to do it. It can be a slight annoyance to open the virtual machine (it takes 15-20 seconds) prior to running whichever non-Mac OS program you wish. Once up and running the environment is essentially the guest OS you have loaded. Be warned, you will need to buy the operating systems you plan to use (i.e., If you are buying this to run Windows XP you will also need to purchase a copy of XP). Be sure to check-out system builder editions, all the program without the support at a much lower cost.
