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Fusion builds on July's RC1 release to let Intel Mac users run Windows applications without having to install a copy of Windows. Applications can be launched from the software's own palette or from Spotlight or the Dock and you can switch between Mac and Windows apps using Exposé. Further Mac integration is ensured with the use of familiar keyboard shortcuts.

But Windows support is not the full story. Fusion supports more than 60 operating systems, including multiple Linux flavours and Sun's Solaris. VMWare also provides a collection of Virtual

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Appliances, pre-configured enterprise applications that are packaged with an optimised operating system in a virtual machine.

Other features include full support for 64-bit Macs and for games - or multimedia applications - that rely on DirectX 8.1 graphics, CD and DVD burning and any USB 2.0 or Bluetooth device or Windows peripheral.

"VMware Fusion was designed for Mac enthusiasts looking for a seamless way to run Windows applications on the Mac," said Dan Chu, vice president of emerging products and markets at VMware. "VMware Fusion combines a very clean and intuitive interface that Mac users expect with the world's most trusted desktop virtualisation platform to allow users to run Mac applications seamlessly alongside PC applications on Intel-based Macs."

Fusion is available for pre-order at $39.99; the full $79.99 price will apply once the final version is released. The free public beta is still available from vmware.com/beta/fusion.

VMWare recently received a $200 million cash injection from Intel.