PALO ALTO, CA, Oct 27, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- VMware, Inc. (NYSE: VMW), the global leader in virtualization solutions from the desktop through the datacenter and to the cloud, today announced that VMware Fusion(R) 3 is now available. With more than 50 new features, VMware Fusion 3 makes it easier than ever to run Windows applications with Mac simplicity.

With the new built-in Migration Assistant for Windows, VMware Fusion 3 is more than two times faster than other "Switch to Mac" solutions. Users can move their entire PCs -- including applications, files documents, and settings -- to their Macs with a simple Ethernet cable, a FireWire cable, or even wirelessly.

VMware Fusion 3 includes more than 50 new features and enhancements, delivering a better-than-ever Windows on Mac experience. Key highlights include:

• Performance, Finely Tuned. Support for 4-way SMP to maximize performance on the latest iMac and Mac Pro. Lower overhead and up to 2X faster resume time for a suspended virtual machine.
• More Mac-Like Than Ever. Banish the start menu and launch Windows apps from the new "always-on" applications menu, even when VMware Fusion isn't running. VMware Fusion provides convenient new ways to experience Windows applications like Mac applications.
• Optimized for Snow Leopard. Built from the ground up for the Mac, VMware Fusion 3 leverages Mac OS X Snow Leopard's advanced architecture with a new 64-bit core engine and native support for the 64-bit kernel, delivering even better Windows on Mac performance.
• Ultimate Windows 7 Experience. VMware Fusion 3 will be the first to enable the full Windows 7 experience, side-by-side with your Mac, complete with Windows Aero and Flip 3D.
• Best-in-Class 3D Graphics. Support for OpenGL 2.1 and DirectX 9.0c Shader Model 3 will enable users to run their favorite 3D Windows games and applications -- all without rebooting.

The release of VMware Fusion 3 has been widely anticipated. With more than 10,000 private beta users who have helped shape the features in the product, the VMware Fusion community is eager to upgrade to VMware Fusion 3.

"VMware Fusion gives us the best of both worlds," said Shandor Simon, director of networking services for Latin School of Chicago. "Our students, faculty and staff get easy access to the Windows-based apps they need with just a few mouse clicks. VMware Fusion proven technology made it easy to migrate our remaining Windows users to the Mac, while providing a safer, more reliable environment for our remaining Windows-based applications."

"With VMware Fusion, I have a rock stable UNIX base with the ability to run any operating system I may need, allowing me to take my complete test environment on the road," said Wil van Antwerpen, owner of Antwise Solutions, a software development company. "Now I can reproduce customer issues on alternative OSes, even when I don't have a direct internet connection to my lab. VMware Fusion 3 improves on this further by bringing Aero support for Windows onto your Mac with amazing hardware accelerated performance."

"I am a Mac devotee, but most of my clients are Windows users," said Donald Malm, who runs a consulting service. "The ease in switching between my files and my client's files when I am in Unity mode in VMware Fusion is exceptional. It allows me to stay dedicated to the Mac experience, but meet my customers' needs along the way."

"I am not a virtualization guru, in fact, I know very little about how it all works, but as an early VMware Fusion 3 user, I don't need to -- it just works," said Dale Puckett, director of operations, Brainworks Software. "At work I use a Dell laptop running 64-bit Windows 7. At night and on the weekends, VMware Fusion 3 makes it possible for me to continue my development using my iMac running Windows 7 side-by-side with Snow Leopard. And as a Microsoft developer, support for features like Windows Aero makes all the difference in the world. "

Availability and Pricing VMware Fusion 3 is now available at the VMware online store and at authorized United States retailers for a suggested retail price of $79.99 and will be available at authorized worldwide retail locations beginning November 4.

Upgrades from previous versions of VMware Fusion to VMware Fusion 3 are now available for $39.99 at vmware.com/go/buyfusion.

About VMware VMware delivers solutions for business infrastructure virtualization that enable IT organizations to energize businesses of all sizes. With the industry leading virtualization platform -- VMware vSphere(TM) -- customers rely on VMware to reduce capital and operating expenses, improve agility, ensure business continuity, strengthen security and go green. With 2008 revenues of $1.9 billion, more than 150,000 customers and 22,000 partners, VMware is the leader in virtualization which consistently ranks as a top priority among CIOs. VMware is headquartered in Silicon Valley with offices throughout the world and can be found online at www.vmware.com.

VMware and VMware Fusion are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of VMware, Inc. in the United States and/or other jurisdictions. All other marks and names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies. The use of the word "partner" or "partnership" does not imply a legal partnership relationship between VMware and any other company.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release which are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor provisions created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements relate, but are not limited, to, the rate and extent of continuing customer adoption and deployment of VMware products and architecture and benefits that customers may achieve from our products. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain risk factors, including but not limited to: (i) the duration and timing of recovery from negative economic or market conditions; (ii) delays or reductions in consumer or information technology spending; (iii) competitive factors, including but not limited to pricing pressures, industry consolidation, entry of new competitors into the virtualization market, and new product and marketing initiatives by our competitors;(iv) our customers' ability to develop, and to transition to, new products, (v) the uncertainty of customer acceptance of emerging technology initiatives; (vi) rapid technological and market changes in virtualization software; and (vii) our ability to protect our proprietary technology. These forward looking statements are based on current expectations and are subject to uncertainties and changes in condition, significance, value and effect as well as other risks detailed in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 10-K and current reports on Form 8-K that we may file from time to time. VMware disclaims any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements after the date of this release.

Contacts:
Melinda Marks
VMware Public Relations
mmarks@vmware.com
(650) 427-1101

Andrew Schmitt
Outcast Communications for VMware
andrew@outcastpr.com
(415) 392-8282

SOURCE: VMware, Inc.