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Software maker VMware announced its Mac 
virtualization product, Fusion, will be available on Aug. 6, while competitor SWsoft just released a new Parallels beta update that offers similar features.
Until now, Fusion was in extensive beta testing -- to the tune of 250,000 users, according to the company.
Fusion allows users to run operating systems other than Mac OS X simultaneously with the Mac OS on their Intel-based Macs. The virtualization platform supports Linux and Solaris, in addition to Windows . It includes, according to VMware (NYSE: VMW), support for USB 2.0 
and Bluetooth for connecting to peripherals and read and write capabilities for CDs and DVDs.
Neck and Neck
The Fusion release comes on the heels of the most recent update of Parallels. On Wednesday, SWsoft released a new beta version for all current users of Parallels 3.0, which can support the iPhone in Windows XP and Vista while running on a Mac.
Parallels lets Mac users run Windows XP or Vista on their Macs without needing to reboot the machine like Apple's (Nasdaq: AAPL) built-in Boot Camp requires.
Mac users saddled with a Windows machine because of a specialized application only available for Windows have welcomed the flexibility of running multiple operating systems on their Macs, SWsoft spokesperson Benjamin Rudolph told MacNewsWorld.
Thus, the race is on for the hearts of those Mac users who also wish to run applications designed for other operating systems. Furthermore, it will only heat up, Laura DiDio, research fellow with Yankee Group, told MacNewsWorld. Ideally, an operating system should be transparent to a computer user. The applications are what matters, she noted.
Sales of Mac computers are up one-third compared to Apple's third quarter last year, the company reported. Most of that jump can be attributed to notebook machines. While the Mac slice of the overall PC market may be a small one, noted DiDio, the product continues to have a loyal base willing to spend money on computers, and Apple appears to be gaining rather than losing momentum.
Hurry for the Bargain
Fusion has been available on pre-order status from VMware for a reduced price of US$39.99, while the beta version has been free. That deal will end on Sunday at noon Pacific Time, wrote Paul Lee, senior product manager for Mac products with VMware on the Fusion beta discussion forum on the company's site.
Beginning Monday, Fusion will cost a full $79.99 for those wishing to download it from the site. A shrink-wrapped version will be available from retailers at a later date for the same price. Coincidentally, the price of Parallels is $79.99.
Fusion also includes accelerated 3D graphics to allow users to run DirectX 8.1 games in Windows XP with Service Pack 2 virtual machines, said VMware.
The product also has network connection sharing and allows for switching between wire-connected and AirPort/WiFi wireless connections. Users can add up to 10 virtual network interfaces to support private and public networks or can use host-only networking to keep a virtual machine isolated for security purposes.
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