VMware Fusion 5 is the latest update to one of the popular virtualization applications for running Windows (and other OSes) on the Mac. This version packs over 200 new features into a $49.99 app that can turn your Mac into a powerful host of multiple operating systems.
List view of the virtual machine library in Fusion 5
I worked with the release version of Fusion 5 for a bit more than a week, running Windows 7, a pre-release of Windows 8, an older version of Ubuntu, and a virtualized copy of OS X Mountain Lion. I even tried running all of them at the same time, just to see how they would perform (surprisingly well).
Fusion 5's performance was exceptional, cutting both the time to boot up and wake from sleep. It also provides an overall performance increase in daily use. All in all, I'm favorably impressed by Fusion 5. It's a fine update, especially if you use Mountain Lion.
If you would like to find out more about Fusion 5, check out the full review:
VMware Fusion 5 Review - Faster, Less Power-Hungry, and a Great Value