VMware has just released the immediate availability of VMware Fusion 6 and VMware Fusion 6 Professional. The new version of the virtualization software boasts over 50 new features and is prepared for the new operating systems coming from both Apple (Mavericks) and Microsoft (Windows 8.1).
- Supports Mavericks multi-display features and even AirPlay displays
- Enhanced dictation support
- Run Mavericks as a guest operating system – can be installed using the recovery partition in just a couple of clicks
- Ready for Windows 8.1
- Built-in optimizations for the Haswell processors
- Up to 16 virtual CPUs, 64GB of RAM, and 8TB of disk space – ready for the new Mac Pro coming soon
VMware Fusion 6 is available exclusively on the VMware Online Store for $59.99 or $49.99 for VMware Fusion 4 or 5 upgraders. A 30 day trial is available as well.
The announcement comes just days after Parallels announced the release of Parallels Desktop 9, which is currently available as an upgrade. The full version will be available tomorrow. We’ll have a full review of both apps shortly.
Generally Parallels is geared toward single users and has better performance whereas VMware is geared toward larger enterprise and folks who also work on PCs.
Ready for OS X Mavericks and Windows 8.1
Designed for OS X Mavericks
Get a more Mac-like experience when running Windows applications on a Mac. The VMware Fusion 6 enhanced user interface makes working with your Windows applications quicker and easier. Extend the unique features of Mavericks to your Windows environment such as taking full advantage of every display connected to your Mac with multiple display support. Use AirPlay to view your Windows environment on your HDTV. VMware Fusion 6 also lets you use the OS X Mavericks dictation feature throughout Windows applications on your Mac. (Complete support for OS X Mavericks depends on the final release of the operating system.)
VMware Fusion 6 is also compatible with OS X Mountain Lion and OS X Lion.
Ride Mavericks
Run OS X Mavericks in a virtual machine with VMware Fusion 6. Get more from your Mac by running OS X Mavericks and OS X Mavericks Server in virtual machines. Leveraging decades of innovation in leading the virtualization revolution, VMware Fusion 6 is the most reliable way to develop and test new applications for the Mac and iOS.
Ready for Windows 8.1
Get the most out of Windows 8.1 new features directly on your Mac and run Windows Metro applications side-by-side with your Mac applications. With VMware Fusion 6, view Metro applications in Launchpad and the Applications folder or put Metro Apps in the dock in Unity mode. VMware Fusion 6 supports Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 Enterprise. (Complete support for Windows 8.1 depends on the final release of the operating system.)
Even Better Performance
Near-Native Performance
With a highly optimized 64-bit engine and multicore processing power that makes the most effective use of the latest Intel Haswell processors, VMware Fusion 6 runs Windows and Mac applications side-by-side faster than ever. VMware Fusion 6 leverages the Mac’s faster memory, faster SSD performance and greater power under the hood, to let you run Windows applications at incredible speeds.
It’s not just hype when VMWare claims that Fusion can run Windows software at ‘near native’ speeds.
MacWorld UK
The Most Powerful Virtual Machines
With VMware Fusion 6, you can now create virtual machines with up to 16 vCPUs, 8 TB virtual disks, and up to 64 GB of memory to run the most demanding applications. With powerful 3D graphics and support for OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3 graphics, VMware Fusion 6 will make running highly demanding 3D applications like AutoCAD or SolidWorks a breeze.
Here’s where Fusion really impresses as at times you can completely forget that you’re using a Mac, with software running as quickly as you’d expect it to on a PC.
MacLife
Maximize Your Battery Life
Optimized to give you the fastest performance while least impacting the power of your Mac, VMware Fusion 6 ensures that every watt of power coming out of your Mac’s battery is used as efficiently as possible.
Retina Display Optimization
Windows never looked so good with Retina Display optimization for a crisp and detailed experience of your Windows applications.
Enhanced Connectivity
Extend your Mac’s connectivity to your Windows environment and take advantage of USB 3 support for ultra-fast file transfers, SDXC card reader to import and view your photos directly in Windows and view them on an external monitor or TV using the Thunderbolt port or HDMI port of your Mac. VMware Fusion 6 also has support for HD audio with 5.1 surround sound and Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology. (USB3 support requires Windows 8 or higher)
Designed for Ease of Use
VMware Fusion 6 enhances the way you experience Windows applications on a Mac. From its streamlined user experience and improved PC migration assistant, to easier installation of virtual machines and more granular selection of computer resources, everything has been enhanced to give users an even better way to experience Windows on a Mac.
We like the slickness of Fusion — it feels Mac-like and looks good.
MacLife
Easier Virtual Machine Installation
The new virtual machine installation assistant has been entirely redesigned to provide an incredibly easy way to install new virtual machines whether installing from a Windows disc, migrating an existing PC, running Windows from a Boot Camp partition or installing OS X from a recovery partition.
More Control Over Your Mac’s Resources
The new virtual machine settings menu incorporates many improvements to give you even more control over your virtual machines. For example, you now get dynamic indicators to warn you if you are allocating too much of your Mac’s resources to virtual machines.
Updated Learning Center
The updated Learning Center lets you access a wide range of videos directly from within VMware Fusion. Get access to step-by-step easy to view videos that will help you get started with running Windows on a Mac. Popular videos include purchasing and installing Windows from the comfort of your Mac, and migrating your Windows PC to your Mac
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I got the upgrade, but it crashed my VPC 5. I tried again, but the dmg-file is not downloadable any more. Fusion 6 seems to have some initial problems. My advice – take some time before upgrading. For the tome being, I can’t start VPC 5.
Installation of 6 crashes no matter what I try. Had to go back to v5
I opened a support ticket with VMWare and they got me all fixed up. It was some issue with me having several license keys in my preferences folder , one for each version since the original one ( I have upgraded each time a new version came out). Anyways v6 has now successfully installed.