VMware Fusion beta 4

VMware Fusion beta 4 is out.

See, in VMware, you can run Windows applications with their windows integrated into the Mac OS X desktop. In Parallels, you can run Windows applications with their windows side-by-side with Mac OS X applications. In VMware, it’s called “Unity”; in Parallels, it’s called “Coherence”. Totally not the same thing.

(with apologies to David Pogue)

Actually, VMware got the window drop shadows right, and they have built in a nifty little search-based application launcher which pops up when no Windows windows remain on your desktop or you hit Command-L. It all looks pretty sharp; since I’ve been on vacation I haven’t had a chance to stress-test the update, but given their track record I have a pretty high confidence level. For better or for worse, I’m using their products for production work and I do tend to pound on the software a bit…

Yeah, the launcher is killer. I haven’t had a chance to check out the new Paralells builds — wonder what they’re up to lately.