VMware, Inc.
5
Getting Started with VMware Fusion
Introduction
VMware Fusion
™
enables you to run your favorite Windows applications and
PC-only devices on your Intel-based Mac. Designed from the ground up for
the Mac user, VMware Fusion makes it easy to take advantage of the
flexibility, security, and portability of virtual machines to run Windows and
other x86 operating systems side by side with Mac OS X.
What Is a Virtual Machine?
A virtual machine is a software equivalent of a physical computer that, like
the physical machine, runs an operating system and applications. In the case
of VMware Fusion, a virtual machine is equivalent to a personal computer (PC).
A virtual machine is like having a computer running inside another computer,
mimicking the actions of different hardware devices commonly found inside
a computer, such as a processor, memory, and a hard drive. It is a software file
stored on your Mac that contains Windows and all your applications
associated with it.
The Mac that you run a virtual machine on is typically referred to as the
host
.
In this context, the virtual machine is referred to as a
guest
.
What You Can Do with VMware Fusion
With VMware Fusion, Intel-based Mac users have many capabilities.
Run your favorite Windows and Linux applications on any
Intel-based Mac, without rebooting
– VMware Fusion runs on Mac OS X
Snow Leopard and Leopard, and supports over 90 operating systems,
including Microsoft’s latest operating system, Windows 7.
Get the most out of your Mac
– With support for 64-bit virtual
machines and 32GB of RAM and four virtual processors per virtual
machine, VMware Fusion turns your Mac into a powerhouse.
