VMware Fusion 12, a popular virtualization software, is now available for free for personal and non-commercial use. This game-changing move allows users to run multiple operating systems on their Macs seamlessly, opening up new possibilities for developers, testers, and IT professionals. With VMware Fusion 12, you can create virtual machines (VMs) that mimic the performance of physical devices, making it ideal for running legacy applications or testing new software in a sandbox environment.

For several years, Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion engaged in a fierce competition to provide top-notch virtualization software for macOS users seeking to run multiple operating systems seamlessly on their devices. Every time Apple released an update, Parallels and VMware would promptly follow suit with their own upgrades, fostering a healthy competition that benefited Mac users by driving the development of innovative features and performance improvements annually.

In recent times, however, VMware’s attention appears to have shifted towards its premium business products, rendering Fusion less competitive since Apple’s introduction of Silicon-based devices in 2020, which no longer undergoes annual updates. By December 2023, VMware had been acquired by semiconductor leader Broadcom, prompting uncertainty regarding the future trajectory of Fusion on macOS. With the takeover complete, it seems that Broadcom remains committed to fostering long-term growth for Fusion, albeit with a focus on corporate and enterprise clients that may potentially discourage individual users and students who previously relied on the app.

What are the pricing options and values of Fusion Professional software, including tips on how to acquire it effectively?

For several years, Fusion offered a customizable experience, allowing users to choose from among three distinct configurations that catered to their unique needs. The Fusion Participant, a primary model, was available at no cost for non-commercial users, such as residential customers or students, while businesses seeking additional technical support could purchase the same product with a commercial license for $149 (£127.49). The Fusion Professional model offered additional features tailored specifically for IT administrators of larger enterprises, priced at $199 or £169.16.

After the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, the core Fusion offering has been discontinued, while Fusion Pro is now available under two distinct licensing models. A free private licence is offered to regular customers, including college students and residential users, while businesses must pay $120 annually for a paid licence. The VMware Business Bundle offers a suite of products that includes the VMware Desktop Hypervisor, as well as Fusion Professional and Workstation Professional applications, available for purchase on the market.

Unfortunately, downloading Fusion Professional requires a significant level of expertise and complexity. To access the desired software, users must first create a free account, then navigate through a series of complex online guides to locate the correct download link; unfortunately, this process is further complicated by Broadcom’s tendency to refer to their Fusion Professional product as Desktop Hypervisor instead. To succeed in attracting recurring customers, Broadcom must streamline its complex sales process for large enterprise clients and IT managers, making it easier for them to purchase and deploy its solutions.

What’s VMware Fusion Professional?

Fusion Professional, akin to Parallels Desktop, enables you to create a virtual machine (VM) that operates seamlessly on your Mac, offering a comparable experience to running an additional macOS instance. This digital machine leverages software to mimic the hardware of a Windows PC, enabling you to access and run any desired Windows applications or games. You’ll be able to effortlessly run your Windows apps alongside your existing Mac applications, eliminating the need to toggle between operating systems like you would when using Boot Camp on Intel Macs – and, as an added bonus, Boot Camp is no longer compatible with Macs featuring Apple Silicon.

Additionally, each application enables you to create virtual machines that run various operating systems, including numerous Linux variations – a valuable feature for many developers and students.

VMware Fusion Professional: System Necessities

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One potential drawback of running Windows on a digital machine within your Mac is that you’re effectively running two operating systems concurrently, with both macOS and Windows operating simultaneously side by side. To achieve optimal performance from a Windows virtual machine on a Mac, you’ll need a device with sufficient processing power, ample memory, and substantial storage capacity.

Like Parallels Desktop, Fusion Professional enables you to configure the amount of memory and specify the number of processor cores to allocate for running virtual machines, allowing for precise tuning of their performance. While there are slight differences when using Fusion Professional on Intel processors versus Apple Silicon, a comprehensive comparison table is available for review on our website.

To quickly set up Windows using Fusion Pro, follow these straightforward steps:

1. Download and install Fusion Pro from their official website?
2. Launch the application and select the ‘Create a new virtual machine’ option.
3. Choose the ‘Microsoft Windows’ operating system, followed by the desired version (e.g., Home, Professional, or Enterprise).
4. Specify the virtual machine’s name, location, and amount of RAM; ensure you allocate enough resources for smooth performance.
5. Select a suitable disk size for your virtual machine, considering its intended use and storage needs.
6. Choose whether to use an existing ISO file or download one from the Fusion Pro library.
7. Customize the network settings as desired (e.g., bridge mode, NAT, or host-only).
8. Configure any additional settings, such as audio, graphics, or USB support, according to your needs.
9. Start the virtual machine and begin installing Windows following the prompts.

However, complexities tend to arise in that very spot. To virtualize Windows on an older Mac with an Intel processor, consider using Fusion Professional to create a digital machine and install the standard Intel version of Windows within it. Although Apple’s M-series processors, commonly referred to as Apple Silicon, differ fundamentally from Intel’s processors, they are actually Arm-based processors, stemming from designs by the UK-based company Arm Holdings.

Microsoft has created a distinct Windows variant, dubbed Windows on Arm (WOA), designed to run on devices utilizing Arm processors. This development prompts the need for macOS machines equipped with Apple Silicon processors to install WOA instead. It’s challenging to purchase Windows on ARM directly from Microsoft, as the company typically only sells it to major PC manufacturers or business clients with volume licensing agreements.

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Parallels Desktop mitigated this drawback a few years ago by providing the option to seamlessly download Windows on ARM alongside creating a new virtual machine. VMware’s lag in addressing this shortcoming was notable, with Fusion Professional finally introducing the ability to run Windows on ARM in version 13.5, released at the end of 2023.

We encountered issues with numerous error messages while attempting to download Windows on Arm using Fusion Pro 13.6, with one instance resulting in a crash. Despite introducing a cutting-edge digital device, users are often faced with an overwhelming array of technical specifications, including complex configurations such as side-channel mitigations and encryption parameters that can be daunting for non-technical individuals. While Parallels Desktop provides an intuitive experience, the combination of Fusion Pro with a free private license remains an attractive option for many users.

Fusion Professional options

When setting up a virtual machine running Windows on your Mac, you’ll notice that the Windows desktop appears within its own window on your Mac’s display, much like any other macOS application. Fusion’s Unity feature once allowed it to seamlessly integrate with the Windows desktop, masking the familiar layout and leaving individual Windows applications, such as the Edge browser, to float on a Mac desktop, blending in with native macOS apps in a manner reminiscent of Parallels Desktop’s Coherence mode. The latest Fusion Professional model no longer supports Unity integration, but still offers the ability to swiftly resize and reorient the virtual machine window. Additionally, it can be expanded to full-screen dimensions, effectively hiding your Mac’s desktop and giving the impression that you’re working on a Windows-only system (though you can still switch to another Mac app using the standard Cmd-Tab keyboard shortcut).

Windows virtual machines offer flexible file transfer capabilities, allowing users to drag and drop files seamlessly between their Mac and Windows environments. Additionally, they can copy and paste data with ease, streamlining collaboration and productivity between different platforms. Snapshots is another feature that enables you to capture the exact state of a Windows virtual machine, including any open applications, at a specific point in time, without fully shutting down the operating system. If necessary, you can surrender Fusion Professional, then resume your Windows virtual machine at a later time, with your applications and files still functioning as before.

Since macOS High Sierra (model 13.5), Fusion Professional has expanded its capabilities to support DirectX 11-based 3D graphics, allowing users to run a range of Windows games and professional graphics applications on their Macs, provided they have a powerful enough machine. Notwithstanding the challenges posed by DX12, neither Fusion Professional nor Parallels Desktop has a clear advantage when it comes to running Windows games, as both programs struggle to effectively utilize this technology in their respective applications.

Are you required to invest in VMware Fusion Professional’s advanced features and support?

Indeed, the standout advantage lies in utilising Fusion Professional with a complimentary private licence, effectively rendering it a more affordable option compared to peer virtualisation software such as Parallels Desktop. Despite its capabilities, Fusion Professional falls short of Parallels Desktop’s polish and user-friendliness, with a focus on corporate clients that may deter individual users from embracing the software with the same enthusiasm as before.