The VMware Fusion team is proud to announce VMware Fusion 2.0 Beta 2.

This latest public beta, a free download, builds on VMware Fusion 2.0 Beta 1, adding the Unity 2.0 suite of Mac-Windows integration features, new ways to protect and manage your virtual machines with multiple snapshots, and a garage full of power tools for technical professionals.

And as previously announced, VMware Fusion 2.0 will be a free downloadable upgrade for all VMware Fusion 1.x customers.

Key Features of VMware Fusion 2.0 Beta 2

As with Beta 1, VMware Fusion 2.0 Beta 2 brings dozens of new features and improvements to the most seamless way to run Windows on your Mac.

Beta 2 Highlight Reel: As usual, we’ve put together a video, above, of Beta 2 highlights, in addition to the more in-depth video demos on the Beta 2 welcome page.

Unity 2.0: Next Generation Mac-Windows Integration

Beta 2 takes to the next level the Mac-Windows integration first pioneered in VMware Fusion 1.0.

New in Beta 2, share applications between Windows and Mac. Launch Mac files with Windows applications, and even set web, email, and other links to launch in either your Mac or Windows browser and email clients.

Use VMware Fusion’s Mirrored Folders to seamlessly map the contents of your Mac’s Desktop, Documents, Music, and Pictures folders to show up in your Windows Desktop, My Documents, My Music, and My Pictures folders.

Even map your Mac keyboard to send custom keystroke combinations into your virtual machine. Learn more about Unity 2.0

Windows is even Safer on the Mac

Building on VMware Fusion 1.x’s ability to take a single virtual machine snapshot, VMware Fusion 2 provides ever better ways to manage and control Windows on your Mac. New in Beta 2, take and manage multiple snapshots for each of your virtual machines, keeping checkpoints before you install new software to protect against potential issues.

And extending multiple snapshots, VMware Fusion 2 offers an industry-first: AutoProtect, automatic, timed snapshots at half-hourly, hourly, or daily intervals.

You never know when disaster may strike—AutoProtect keeps you covered. Learn more about safety features

Easier and Easier

Beta 2 also adds more usability and “Mac-friendly” features, like CPU utilization reductions, Mac OS X Leopard Quick Look integration, Apple Help integration, and better activity monitors in the status bar. Learn more about usability improvements

Video Star

DirectX 9.0 Shader Model 2 3D acceleration gets more refined in Beta 2, meaning bigger and badder Windows games will run on a Mac, with no rebooting.

And High Definition video now runs at near native speed, and with less CPU impact on the Mac, opening up the world of Windows-only HD media. Read more about video improvements

Power Tools for Tech Pros

VMware Fusion 2 really starts to show its datacenter and enterprise heritage with the addition of a slew of power user tools.

Multiple Snapshots and the addition of Mac OS X Leopard Server virtual machines, make VMware Fusion a Mac IT pro’s best friend. Also new in Beta 2, better Linux support, including support for Ubuntu Hardy Heron and Linux Unity view.

Server Grade Power: With the addition of Mac OS X Leopard Server, VMware Fusion 2 now boasts support for all major server OSes, both 32 and 64-bit. Also new in Beta 2, add up to four virtual CPUs to your virtual machines and control virtual machines from the Command Line using VMrun.

Let your Mac Pro and Xserve out to run by loading up with server-grade virtual machines on VMware Fusion 2. Read more about power features

Go Get the Beta!

We encourage anyone interested in the latest and greatest to check out the the Beta 2 welcome page, watch the demo videos, and go grab the bits.