Aero Support Goes Virtualized Finally

VMware announced VMware Fusion 3 days ago, the first ever virtualization solution that provide aero support from Windows Vista and Windows 7, which will surface on retail market worldwide beginning October 27th.

Besides that, VMware had released the RC of their upcoming VMware Workstation 7 for PC platforms, which is rumored to be released around the end of November.

Aero support will be provided in VW 7, and other biggest new features would be:

The RC version is made public download from VMware website, with two flavors, Windows or Linux.

After giving it a spin, I was like, WOW…

The long awaited and expected AERO support for Windows Vista and Windows 7 is finally here, and it is beautiful!

It’s actually a matter of driver, and it could be done years ago syncing with Windows Vista’s release, but it wasn’t until very lately when Vista’s successor is about to roll out on shelves.

Whatever, it’s here. Although still in RC and driver compatibility and stability is not quite perfect, but good enough to play back media files, play some lightweight games while not requiring a very good graphics card.

VMware recommends users to use nVIDIA 8800 or ATI HD2600 for smooth experience with Aero enabled.

Have a look! It is true this time! Not RDP anymore.

It’s Aero in Aero in Action, baby!

3D Flip is now easy cake.

Windows real-time preview.

The glossy windows effect within the elegant transparent theme.

A new WDDM driver is all what’s behind.

Actual use of the aero enabled virtualized Windows 7 x64 is quite smooth. Browsing web, watching movies, editing pictures, all fine.

If you got a high frequency dual core CPU, or you can afford popping in 4 cores at the settings of VMware Workstation, you can even watch Blue Ray HD video as easily as it should be. Theoretically playing games would be possible too, though pending validations.

The aero support is too great a feature, which solidifies half the value of upgrading to Windows 7. If you’d think it would be just a toy on graphics, you might be wrong this time. Someone had tested 3DMark on his host with nVIDIA GTX 280 and got a post 12000 mark while in virtualized Windows 7 Ultimate x86, the graphics scored 8000 plus. Not shabby for a virtualized.

I had only a HD2600 Pro as host, so no 3DMark test. I got a simple embedded performance indicator running and had this result.

With Windows 7 about to emerge in retail market and deploy in enterprise workspace, VMware is taking a leading step widening the gap they had been keeping from competitors.

There is going to be a era for Windows 7, and VMware will be much more successful than ever.