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750MB of free disk space for VMware Fusion, and at least 5GB of free disk space for each virtual machine. Note Make sure that you have enough memory to run Mac OS X, plus the memory required for each guest operating system and for applications on the Mac and in the virtual machine.
Note: As newer Linux kernels and distributions are released, VMware modifies and tests its products for stability and reliability on those host platforms. We make every effort to add support for new kernels and distributions in a timely manner, but until a kernel or distribution is added to the list below, its use with our products is not supported. Look for newer prebuilt modules in the download area of our Web site.
I about the release of a few weeks ago. I’ve been spending some time with it since then, so I wanted to take the time to write about it in more detail. One thing to note (and I think it makes gives my review an interesting perspective) is that I’ve used VMware Fusion (and supported it at my day job) since 2009. I had certainly heard of Parallels Desktop before, but I jumped on the Fusion train and kept on upgrading over the years. When I read about Parallels Desktop 14, I decided that it was time to try something new. Before we get started, let’s talk about why you’d need an app like Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion.
On macOS, you can use one of these apps to open a copy of Windows, Linux, or even additional versions of macOS (for testing). You don’t have to shut down your computer to reboot into another operating system, but rather simply launch the program and another operating system boots up. If you prefer using macOS but have times where you need to access Windows or Linux only programs, you can do with ease using virtualization technology (the technical term behind what Parallels Desktop and VMware Fusion are doing. I have some legacy applications that require me to access them in Internet Explorer Classic, but others might be required to use the PC versions of Office or another Windows-specific app. My sister-in-law designs commercial landscapes for a living, and while she loves a Mac, she prefers the PC version of AutoCAD. She used to own a 27″ iMac with 32 GB of ram with a 1 TB Fusion Drive, and AutoCAD would consistently crash on it. On a much slower PC, AutoCAD was far better.
I say all of this to say – there are countless reasons why you might want to virtualize Linux, Windows, or macOS on your Mac.