Fusion should NOT require discrete graphics by default

[nbastin]

There's no reason for my linux compute VMs (which don't even have X) to trigger the use of the discrete graphics card, killing my battery life.  I realize Apple might make this moderately difficult (but not impossible), but certainly when I use vmrun directly, fusion should be able to launch my VMs in a runtime which does not link to libraries that make calls that trigger discrete graphics.  This is a huge problem with Fusion (and how shall I say, but...other solutions do not have this problem).

This makes Fusion all but unusable on long haul aircraft without power (where I end up doing the majority of my work, really).

I'm wondering how many other people see this as a deal-breaker?  I don't use windows, but even if I did, I still wouldn't require the functionality afforded by the discrete graphics card.  gfxCardStatus is a partial solution, but can crash the laptop in some situations.

[JohnOCFII]

I wondered about that.  On my 2009 MacBook Pro when I am not running the VM, I can easily get 6+ hours of battery life.  If I'm running a Windows 7 VM, running Outlook and a IM client, my battery is lucky to make 3 hours.  Not sure how much is attributed to the graphics processor chosen but clearly that is part of the battery drain.

[bukrat]

I agree.  I mostly run server/non gui images and in that case I definately do not expect discrete GPU to turn on, but it does.  Of course other apps make dumb choices to, like skype requires discrete.

One way I get around this is with gfxCardStatus,  http://codykrieger.com/gfxCardStatus  which allows you to force/select which gpu you use.  Setting in to internal fixes this issue for me.

[bukrat]

Ouch, so i just tried to upgrade from fusion 3 to 4 and I get this message...

VMware Fusion is not compatible with gfxCardStatus software installed on your Mac.

Graphics switching while a virtual machine is running can cause the virtual machine to crash. To prevent damage to your virtual machines it is recommended that dynamic switching be disabled while VMware Fusion is running.

I never had issues in the past with this.  I dont normally switch between GPUS while vms are running so this may be not an issue.  Also at least in 3, my server vms would run for weeks and I'm sure I would switch GPUs but never had issues.  Maybe depends if you are running graphical guests.

Anyway  FYI

[FoxtrotIndia]

Disappointed that this is still the case with Fusion 5.01. Even when I have all my VMs suspended, it still does not switch back to integrated graphics. And on the Retina MacBook, it will not work when discrete graphics are turned off, even with 3D acceleration turned off, the only thing you get is a black screen.

I really would like to see an option per virtual machine to tell it whether it needs the discrete graphics support (maybe even dependent on whether you are on batteries or not).

[gr2020]

+1 to this - would be nice if Fusion did not always require discrete graphics. Especially for server images that have no GUI...