• On TechRepublic: Why VISTA HATERS will love Windows 7
September 16, 2008 8:20 AM PDT

VMware unveils Fusion 2.0, VClient initiative

by Jonathan Skillings

A day after embracing cloud computing, VMware on Tuesday turned its focus to desktop applications.

In conjunction with its VMworld conference, the virtualization company announced the general availability of VMware Fusion 2.0, its software for running the Windows operating system on the Mac. Along with touting new features and enhancements from version 1.x, VMware stressed that Fusion 2.0 "makes Windows even safer on the Mac" through its use of automatic virtual machine snapshots and an on-the-house 12-month subscription to McAfee VirusScan Plus.

Fusion 2.0, which is the company's rival to the Parallels software for running Windows on Mac, also lets users add up to four virtual CPUs to a virtual machine, and it adds support for Mac OS X Leopard Server. The suggested retail price for the software, available online now, is $79.99.

VMware also announced its VClient Initiative, which is intended to foster "universal clients" that would let users access their set of desktop applications--hosted in a data center--from any device, anywhere. It is kicking off the initiative with a set of products called VMware View, including Composer for managing desktop images.

That effort would seem to dovetail nicely with VMware's Monday announcements, including the launch of its Virtual Datacenter Operating System technology, in which it staked its claim to the enterprise end of cloud computing.

Jonathan Skillings is managing editor of CNET News, based in the Boston bureau. He's been with CNET since 2000, after a decade in tech journalism at the IDG News Service, PC Week, and an AS/400 magazine. He's also been a soldier and a schoolteacher. E-mail Jon.
Recent posts from Business Tech
Week in review: A speedier new Firefox
Hard disk or solid-state? Think again
Linux community codes around Microsoft's FAT patents
Analyst: Thin laptops have design issues
Cisco guns for Microsoft in collaboration market
Forrester: Tech recovery to start in fourth quarter
Samsung breaks Netbook mold with Nvidia chip
OLPC operating system free on a stick
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
by benjaminstraight September 16, 2008 10:38 AM PDT
Cool
Reply to this comment
by directorblue September 16, 2008 12:35 PM PDT
Uhm, the most important question wasn't answered in the article: does the $79 fee include a Windows license or some sort of coupon for a Windows license?
Reply to this comment
by kelmon September 17, 2008 12:05 AM PDT
No. As with all current virtualisation options, this is a strictly "Bring Your Own OS" deal.
by directorblue September 16, 2008 12:35 PM PDT
Uhm, the most important question wasn't answered in the article: does the $79 fee include a Windows license or some sort of coupon for a Windows license?
Reply to this comment
(4 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

Making sense of Windows 7 upgrades

faq The basics and the fine print on Microsoft's options for those eyeing the next operating system from Redmond.
• Full Windows 7 coverage

Road Trip 2009: Big Sky Country

CNET News reporter Daniel Terdiman takes his car full of gadgets to the Rockies and the Great Plains in search of tech, science, nature, and more.
• America's Fortress: Cheyenne Mountain

About Business Tech

Your destination for the latest news on enterprise-level information technology, from chip research and server design to software issues including programming, open source and patents.

Add this feed to your online news reader

Business Tech topics

advertisement
advertisement

Inside CNET News

Scroll Left Scroll Right