In a move to shift most of its business to a subscription-only model, IT giant Broadcom has taken over virtualization specialist VMware and is now offering VMware desktop applications for free to end customers and individual entrepreneurs. Despite the acquisition, the workstation desktop virtualization software product line will continue to be part of VMware, with changes to the licensing terms. The “Pro” editions of the workstation desktop hypervisors are now free for personal use for owners of Windows, Linux, and Mac systems, replacing the previously available free editions of VMware desktop hypervisors. This move allows end users to create and manage virtual machines on their desktop PCs to test various operating systems and applications with potential security risks.
While unlimited Workstation Pro applications are available for personal use, professional users will still need to pay for a subscription to achieve the same results in a commercial environment. This subscription can be purchased from any Broadcom Advantage partner, with prices starting at $120 per year. Previously available perpetual licenses cost $195. VMware states that Workstation and Fusion have provided value to the virtualization community over the last 25 years and will continue to be powerful virtual machine platforms in the future. The history of workstations dates back to VMware‘s first product, “VMware 1.0,” released in 1999.
Broadcom is focusing on transitioning its business to a subscription-based model by providing free VMware desktop applications to end users and individual entrepreneurs after acquiring virtualization specialist VMware. Despite the acquisition, VMware‘s workstation desktop virtualization software product line will continue, with changes to licensing terms. The “Pro” editions of the workstation desktop hypervisors are now available for personal use for owners of Windows, Linux, and Mac systems, replacing the previously free editions. Workstation and Fusion allow users to create and manage virtual machines on their desktop PCs for testing operating systems and applications with potential security risks.
Professional users looking to use Workstation Pro and Fusion Pro in a commercial environment will need to purchase a subscription from a Broadcom Advantage partner, with prices starting at $120 per year. This new subscription model eliminates the previous over 40 workstation products available through VMware resellers. Workstation and Fusion have been valuable tools for professionals in the virtualization community over the last 25 years and will continue to be powerful virtual machine platforms in the future. The history of workstations dates back to VMware‘s first product, “VMware 1.0,” released in 1999.
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