VMware Workstation is an outstanding software utility that will prove a godsend for those who need or want to run more than one operating system on a single computer. It installs and runs effortlessly, and makes light work of switching between both the host operating system and multiple guest operating systems. Version 5 adds some highly noteworthy new features and performance enhancements. Indeed, just about any task you can imagine involving virtual machines can be accomplished using VMware Workstation 5.

Pros: Significant new features and performance enhancements
Cons: Doesn't support Macs; pricey for casual users


VMware Workstation is one of the most established and most powerful virtual machines for testing and deploying multiple operating systems on a single computer. Available in various versions, we've reviewed the latest Windows version that allows you to run Linux, NetWare, or any major operating systems on a single, Windows-based desktop. The number of virtual machines is limited only by disk space, and the number that can operate simultaneously is limited only by available RAM.

VMware Workstation works by enabling multiple operating systems and their applications to run concurrently on a single physical machine. These operating systems and applications are isolated in secure virtual machines that coexist on a single piece of hardware. VMware Workstation maps the physical hardware resources to the virtual machine's resources, so each virtual machine has its own CPU, memory, disks, I/O devices and so on. Each virtual machine is the equivalent of a standard x86 computer.

VMware Workstation installs just like a standard application on a PC's operating system, either Windows or Linux. After installing VMware Workstation and creating a virtual machine, you can install and run complete, unmodified operating systems - including Windows, Linux, Novell NetWare, and Sun Solaris x86 - and application software in the virtual machine, just as on a physical PC. This way you get the benefits of multiple PCs without the added expense, physical setup and maintenance.

The major business advantage of the software, like other virtual-machine utilities, is that it allows developers to streamline software development and testing operations, accelerate application deployments, ensure application compatibility and perform operating system migrations. VMware Workstation can also be used to save time and effort when your organisation needs to test service packs by allowing you to apply the patches, but not having to commit changes until you're sure everything works. For non-developers, VMware Workstation is a neat solution that allows you to play around with Linux or other operating system without having to format a Windows-based hard disk.

If the thought of running multiple operating systems on your computer sounds problematic or a tad technical, fear not. VMware Workstation works by enabling multiple operating systems and their applications to run concurrently on a single physical machine as it does not overwrite one with the other. It does this by isolating operating systems and applications in secure virtual machines that co-exist on a single hard disk. And installing a new operating system is just like installing a regular Windows program.

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