Release: VMware Fusion 3.1

VMware last week announced the worldwide availability of VMware Fusion 3.1 as a free update to all VMware Fusion 3 users.

With more than 20 new features, key highlights of VMware Fusion 3.1 include:

• Faster: With faster application launching, more seamless scrolling, quicker resume from suspend, and better overall disk performance, VMware Fusion 3.1 delivers 35% better end-to-end performance compared to its predecessor, VMware Fusion 3.0.
• Better 3D Graphics Performance: Greatly improved Windows Aero performance and OpenGL 2.1 support for Windows Vista and Windows 7 delivers up to 5X better 3D graphics performance. VMware Fusion 3.1 is also supported and recommended by Autodesk for AutoCAD 2011.
• Switch to Mac with Ease: The fastest and least expensive way to bring a customer’s entire PC to a Mac, VMware Fusion 3.1 includes all of the software tools needed to migrate over a standard Ethernet cable, FireWire cable or even wireless network — saving customers from purchasing special cables that will only be used once.
• USB EasyConnect: Makes it easier than ever to assign a USB device to a virtual machine or a Mac and remembers preferred choice.
• Unity: Exclusive support for Mac OS X Snow Leopard’s Dock Expose makes it even more seamless to use Windows apps like Mac apps.
• Support for Larger Virtual Machines: With added support for 8-way SMP and an increased virtual hard disk size from 950 GB to 2TB, advanced users get more power and punch out of the Mac Pro and Xserve from Apple.

VMware Fusion 3 users can automatically download the free update to VMware Fusion 3.1 via the built-in software update feature.

Users who wish to upgrade from previous versions of VMware Fusion may do so online at vmware.com/fusion for $39.99 (USD).

For new users, VMware Fusion is available at vmware.com/fusion, the Apple.com, Apple retail stores, Amazon.com, and other authorized resellers. The suggested retail price of $79.99 (USD) includes all of the software needed to switch from a PC to a Mac.