VMware Fusion for OS X ready to lift off

VMware is taking preorders for Fusion, its virtualization product for Mac OS X.

With Fusion, you can run Windows, Solaris and Linux on a Mac without rebooting. VMware's pre-order price is $39.99, but goes up to $79.99 when Fusion launches.

eWeek reports that Fusion launches Aug. 6, but the VMware site still says the "end of August."

Fusion is compatible with Vista, XP and OS X Leopard when it is available.

At the $79.99 price tag, VMware's Fusion is set up to compete with Parallels.

The big picture behind these virtualization products is that Apple could gain traction in the enterprise. For instance, Auto Warehousing Co. is using Mac in its enterprise with the help of software from Parallels.

However, that move is still relatively rare, but there can be a case to be made. Auto Warehousing Co. CIO Dale Frantz's business case is based on lower maintenance costs.