On Thursday VMware releasedFusion 4.1 , an update toits $ 50 virtualization softwarethat adds numerous small improvements — and a huge , unannounced modification that could allow for Mac user with much more flexibility when it comes to running honest-to-goodness versions of Mac OS X.
The feature documented in theFusion 4.1 discharge notesinclude support for full - screen mode on Lion ( including a “ Smart Full Screen ” way that does n’t leave users of multiple - video display Macs out in the cold ) , performance and graphics melioration , and support for Lion feature film such as FileVault 2 and Lion Recovery .
But one big variety with this update is n’t document anywhere : The software has been alter so that it will launch the non - server versions of Snow Leopard ( Mac OS X 10.6 ) and Leopard ( Mac OS ecstasy 10.5 ) . Previously , VMware Fusion supported virtual Macs track down Lion , Lion Server , Snow Leopard Server , and Leopard Server .
Leopard running in VMware Fusion 4.1 on a Mac running Lion.
Apple ’s operating - arrangement permit insurance policy during the Leopard and Snow Leopard eras designate that only the server version of Mac OS X could be run in a virtual motorcar , and then only on Apple ironware . When Lion was released , that insurance change to allow both Lion Server and the non - server variation of Lion to be virtualized .
When a drug user tries to set up Leopard or Snow Leopard in Fusion 4.1 , a dialog box appears that says , “ Verify that the operating system is licensed to run in a virtual machine . ” In essence , this get rid of VMware from the position of hold to judge and enforce Apple ’s operating - system license , and instead leaves the decision in the hand of users .
As aVMware tech government note explains :
VMware Fusion asks if you’re licensed.
VMware Fusion 4.1 changes the behavior of the Modern virtual political machine assistant when creating a Mac OS X virtual automobile . Starting with Fusion 4.1 , you are presented with an extra prompting to corroborate that the operating system is licensed to run in a virtual machine . This additional command prompt reminds you that installing Mac OS X in a virtual automobile is subject to the license agreement that accompanies the Mac OS cristal software .
VMware recommends consult the permission agreement follow your Mac OS X computer software for the term and conditions that apply . Apple license agreements can be retrieve athttps://www.apple.com/legal/sla .
If you affirm abidance with the applicable license , the assistant proceeds to the next step . This behaviour is indistinguishable for the Leopard , Snow Leopard , and Lion release of Mac OS X and their form .
Installing Leopard.
( A cursory coup d’oeil at theSnow Leopard licensespecifies that it can only be run on Apple - brand hardware , but does n’t seem to specify anything about running in a practical machine , though the single - use license specifies draw “ one copy … on a single Apple - branded computer . ” TheLion licensespecifically mentions allowing “ virtual operating organisation surround on each Mac Computer . ” )
While there are some questions about the legality of running Snow Leopard or Leopard in a virtual machine , there ’s no doubt about the utility of such a feature film . First off , it would be a blessing to developers and technical school - support professionals , who need to verify how software function on various versions of O X. But it would also help out user who trust on PowerPC - base Mac computer software — programs that wo n’t run in Lion because of Apple’sabandonment of the Rosetta codification - interlingual rendition software package .
Users who want to run Quicken Deluxe for Mac on a system of rules that only runs Lion are currently out of luck . But that program lean just fine on a Lion - base Mac that ’s running Snow Leopard inside a Fusion 4.1 practical simple machine . ( It ’s not an ideal fix — coalition ’s support for Windows includes a Unity mode that lets Windows apps swim among your Mac window . Virtual Macs will only display inside a window or filling a screen in full - silver screen modal value . )
I updated to Fusion 4.1 on Friday and created fresh virtual simple machine for both Snow Leopard and Leopard on an iMac run Lion . They instal and run without any problems , and I was capable to set up PowerPC apps via Rosetta without any worry .
An Apple representative told us that Apple ’s end - user license agreement “ permit properly licence copies of Mac OS X Lion , Snow Leopard Server and Leopard Server to be virtualized on Apple - brand ironware only . ” It ’s unclear what Apple ’s inclination toward VMware will be . In the lag , this update gives Lion substance abuser an mercantile establishment for escape PowerPC - based apps , and lets developer and other technical user have easy access to multiple oxygen X versions on a unmarried Mac system .
[ update at 8:30 PST with a statement from Apple . ]
