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System requirements for VMware Fusion (2005196)
Purpose
This article lists the requirements for running VMware Fusion.
Resolution
Fusion 5.x
Any 64bit capable Intel® Mac (Compatible with Core 2 Duo, Xeon, i3, i5, i7 processors or better)
Mac OS X 10.6.7 or later, either Client or Server.
Note: VMware recommends running OS X 10.7 (Lion) or OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion), either Client or Server.
Minimum 2 GB of RAM
Note: VMware recommends at least 4 GB. You need enough memory to run Mac OS X, plus the memory required for each guest operating system and for other applications running on the Mac and in the virtual machine. For more information, see Investigating virtual machine resources in VMware Fusion (1022213).
750 MB free disk space for VMware Fusion and at least 5 GB for each virtual machine
Operating system installation media (disk or disk image) for a virtual machine.
Note: Windows operating systems are available separately from Microsoft and other .
Recommended graphics hardware for Windows Aero support
To experience Windows Aero 3D graphics, you need one of these graphics cards:
Any Mac with a 64-bit Intel 2.0Ghz or faster processor
Mac OS X 10.6.7, Client or Server
Note: VMware recommends running OS X 10.7 or the latest version of OS X 10.6, either Client or Server.
2 GB of memory (RAM)
Note: VMware recommends at least 4 GB. You need enough memory to run Mac OS X, plus the memory required for each guest operating system and for other applications running on the Mac and in the virtual machine. For more information, see Investigating virtual machine resources in VMware Fusion (1022213).
750 MB of free disk space for VMware Fusion and at least 5 GB of free disk space for each virtual machine
Operating system installation media (disc or disc image) for a virtual machine
Note: Windows operating systems are available separately from Microsoft and other retailers.
Recommended graphics hardware for Windows Aero support
To experience Windows Aero 3D graphics, you need one of these graphics cards:
Operating system installation media (disc or disc image) for a virtual machine
Note: Windows operating systems are available separately from Microsoft and other retailers.
1 GB of memory (RAM)
Note: VMware recommends at least 2GB. You need enough memory to run Mac OS X, plus the memory required for each guest operating system and for other applications running on the Mac and in the virtual machine. For more information, see Investigating virtual machine resources in VMware Fusion (1022213).
700 MB of free disk space for VMware Fusion and at least 5 GB of free disk space for each virtual machine
Recommended graphics hardware for Windows Aero support
To experience Windows Aero 3D graphics, you need one of these graphics cards:
Operating system installation media (disc or disc image) for a virtual machine
Note: Windows operating systems are available separately from Microsoft and other retailers.
1 GB of memory (RAM)
Note: VMware recommends at least 2GB. You need enough memory to run Mac OS X, plus the memory required for each guest operating system and for other applications running on the Mac and in the virtual machine. For more information, see Investigating virtual machine resources in VMware Fusion (1022213).
500 MB of free disk space for VMware Fusion and at least 5 GB of free disk space for each virtual machine
3D acceleration is not available on Macs with the following GPUs: NVIDIA GeForce 7300, 7600, Quadro FX 4500, Intel 965, X3100, GMA950 and ATI X1600, X1900
09/13/2011 - Added Fusion 4 information
09/19/2011 - Fixed link to Fusion 4 getting started guide.
3/15/2012 - Clarified that Client and Server supported.
09/16/2012 - Added Fusion 5.x information.
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