Does VMware Fusion slow down Snow Leopard?

wants2tryMac · Nov 18, 2009, 02:03 AM

Hi guys,
I recently installed VMware fusion on my MBP, but I later noticed it to be slower.
I dedicated about 2GB of RAM to the Virtual Machine. The Windows 7 OS runs fine, but it's the Snow Leopard that became sluggish.
Any help? Do I need to change any settings on the Virtual Machine to make my SL run faster?
I really miss my fast SL!

Any help would do.

Thanks

BlueRevolution · Nov 18, 2009, 06:10 AM

Of course it does. Virtualizing an OS is a processor-intensive process, since you are running twice as many operating systems on your computer, one of which has a bunch of virtualization overhead. Decrease the amount of memory allocated to your virtual machine and/or pause it when not in use.

r.j.s · Nov 18, 2009, 06:13 AM

In addition to reducing the amount of memory allocated to the VM, you can tell Fusion to give priority to OS X, rather than the VM. It will help, but you will still see a performance hit when running both OSes.

wants2tryMac · Nov 18, 2009, 11:58 AM

Thanks guys.

dyn · Nov 19, 2009, 11:26 AM

Check out this document from VMware: Choosing the Right Virtual Machine Settings.

EndlessMac · Nov 19, 2009, 08:28 PM

You should only give Windows in Fusion as much resource as it needs to run smoothly but no more. As others have mentioned you are running two OS at the same time so in a way it's like dividing your computer into two or cutting its performance in half but it's worst on the Mac side because your Mac has to run Fusion in addition to everything else. Windows just needs to run itself so I personally think you should give more resources to your Mac.

That's how I have my VMware Fusion setup and it runs great. You should try lowering your RAM to 1GB and make sure Windows is only using 1 Core Processor unless you have 4 or more core processors. If that doesn't work for you then try adjusting your settings again and see which one works for you.

Nov 18, 2009, 02:03 AM	#1
wants2tryMac macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2009	Does VMware Fusion slow down Snow Leopard? Hi guys, I recently installed VMware fusion on my MBP, but I later noticed it to be slower. I dedicated about 2GB of RAM to the Virtual Machine. The Windows 7 OS runs fine, but it's the Snow Leopard that became sluggish. Any help? Do I need to change any settings on the Virtual Machine to make my SL run faster? I really miss my fast SL! Any help would do. Thanks __________________ MacBook Pro 13'' , 2.26 GHz, 4 GB RAM; iPhone 3G [S] 16 GB, White

Nov 18, 2009, 06:10 AM	#2
BlueRevolution macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ailleurs	Of course it does. Virtualizing an OS is a processor-intensive process, since you are running twice as many operating systems on your computer, one of which has a bunch of virtualization overhead. Decrease the amount of memory allocated to your virtual machine and/or pause it when not in use. __________________ "In its majestic equality, the law forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, beg in the streets and steal a loaf of bread." —Anatole France

Nov 18, 2009, 06:13 AM	#3
r.j.s macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Forum Spy	In addition to reducing the amount of memory allocated to the VM, you can tell Fusion to give priority to OS X, rather than the VM. It will help, but you will still see a performance hit when running both OSes. __________________ 2009 15" MBP 2.8GHz 4GB 500GB // Late 2006 MB 2GHz 3GB 500GB // 2nd Gen 16GB iPod Touch OS X Tutorial Videos\|Suggest new tutorials

Nov 18, 2009, 11:58 AM	#4
wants2tryMac Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2009	Thanks guys. __________________ MacBook Pro 13'' , 2.26 GHz, 4 GB RAM; iPhone 3G [S] 16 GB, White

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Nov 19, 2009, 11:26 AM	#5
dyn macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2009	Check out this document from VMware: Choosing the Right Virtual Machine Settings.

Nov 19, 2009, 08:28 PM	#6
EndlessMac macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2009	You should only give Windows in Fusion as much resource as it needs to run smoothly but no more. As others have mentioned you are running two OS at the same time so in a way it's like dividing your computer into two or cutting its performance in half but it's worst on the Mac side because your Mac has to run Fusion in addition to everything else. Windows just needs to run itself so I personally think you should give more resources to your Mac. That's how I have my VMware Fusion setup and it runs great. You should try lowering your RAM to 1GB and make sure Windows is only using 1 Core Processor unless you have 4 or more core processors. If that doesn't work for you then try adjusting your settings again and see which one works for you.