Technogeezer
Immortal
Immortal

@Jasec10 I can understand the frustration. VMware is going to have to make some decisions about virtualization on the Mac platform since the shift to Apple Silicon (ARM) is already under way. Apple made the decision to go away from Intel processors for their own reasons. The "unintended consequences" of that decision impact users that depended on virtualization of x86 based operating systems. 

In my mind, VMware will have to deal with the following to determine whether Fusion remains a viable product on Macs in the future:

  • What is the technical effort to integrate x86 emulation with acceptable performance and functionality into the hypervisor in order to run x86 code? Users don't need a replay of "Virtual PC" level performance.
  • Will Microsoft actually release ARM-based Windows 10 and Server that will allow x86 applications to run on them with an emulator similar to Rosetta 2?
  • What will be the market acceptance of ARM based Linux and Windows solutions?

In the interests of full disclosure: I just purchased an M1 Mac mini, and it really is a very nice machine and very fast for what I do. The caveat here is: "for what I do" - Mac applications and iOS applications. Unfortunately right now M1 Macs are not a good choice for those that need to run x86 virtualization to do "what they need to do".

I'm waiting and seeing what direction Microsoft and VMware are going toward...

 

- Paul (Technogeezer)
Editor of the Unofficial Fusion Companion Guides