Apple today introduced Boot Camp, public beta software that enables Intel-based Macs to run Windows XP. Available as a download beginning today, Boot Camp allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac, and once installation is complete, users can restart their computer to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP. Boot Camp will be a feature in “Leopard,” Apple’s next major release of Mac OS X, that will be previewed at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in August.
“Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple’s superior hardware now that we use Intel processors,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in the press release. “We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch.”
Boot Camp simplifies Windows installation on an Intel-based Mac by providing a simple graphical step-by-step assistant application to dynamically create a second partition on the hard drive for Windows, to burn a CD with all the necessary Windows drivers, and to install Windows from a Windows XP installation CD. After installation is complete, users can choose to run either Mac OS X or Windows when they restart their computer.
Funny Apple notes on the Boot Camp web page include:
EFI and BIOS – Macs use an ultra-modern industry standard technology called EFI to handle booting. Sadly, Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries.
Word to the Wise – Windows running on a Mac is like Windows running on a PC. That means it’ll be subject to the same attacks that plague the Windows world. So be sure to keep it updated with the latest Microsoft Windows security fixes.
The public beta of Boot Camp is available immediately as a download, and is preview software licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time. The final version of Boot Camp will be available as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5 “Leopard.” Apple does not provide support for installing or running Boot Camp and does not sell or support Microsoft Windows software. Apple welcomes user feedback on Boot Camp at:
Boot Camp requires an Intel-based Mac with a USB keyboard and mouse, or a built-in keyboard and TrackPad; Mac OS X version 10.4.6 or later; the latest firmware update; at least 10GB of free space on the startup disk; a blank recordable CD or DVD; and single-disc version of Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later.
More info about Apple’s Boot Camp public beta and download link here.
MacDailyNews Take: Welcome to “Embrace and extinguish,” Apple-style. The war ain’t over, folks. It never was. Now, a new chapter begins and today’s shot will be heard around the world! Don’t you just love the smell of napalm in the morning?
This doesn’t hurt Microsoft (yet), but it absolutely puts Dell, HP, Lenovo, Toshiba, etc. into a world of pain.
Why buy a Dell when Apple’s Intel-based Macs will run both Mac OS X and Windows? As we wrote way back on June 8, 2005: Oh, so one could buy a Mac and run both Windows and Mac OS X or buy a Dell and only be able to run Windows. Muahahahahah! So, can anyone explain why would anyone in their right mind would buy a Dell or any other Wintel box assembler’s kit again? This is shaping up to become a “license Mac OS X or die” problem for the Dells of the world. But, what if Steve Jobs doesn’t feel like licensing Mac OS X? Checkmate. Is it too early to suggest that Michael Dell shut down the company and give the money back to shareholders?
Wait until Wall Street figures this one out.
As we wrote in a MacDailyNews Take on May 9, 2005:“The war isn’t over until there’s a surrender. Apple’s still here and the Mac platform is growing and advancing, not shrinking and retreating. As long as Apple makes Macs, as Yogi said, ‘It ain’t over ’til it’s over.’ PCs are turned over every few years; all it would take is for the average user to choose a Mac for their next computer and things would quickly change drastically. With Windows in disarray and Longhorn looking more like Stillborn, right now is Apple’s best time to strike and strike hard.”
Our own SteveJack wrote on December 28, 2005, “Could Steve Jobs be preparing to drop just such a bomb on the Windows box assemblers at Macworld Expo or sometime in 2006? Would he first drop just a moderately destructive atomic bomb on the likes of Dell, HP, Lenovo, Gateway, etc., leaving out the ‘Windows apps on Mac without Windows’ threat to Microsoft? Or could Jobs actually be boldly planning to drop the industry-devastating hydrogen bomb on both the Windows box assemblers and Microsoft all in one fell swoop? If a Mac could run Mac OS X and Windows, who would buy a Dell, HP, etc.? If a Mac could run Mac OS X and Windows applications without Windows, who would buy a Dell or a copy of Windows from Microsoft? And what would Microsoft be able to do about it? Drop Internet Explorer for Mac (LOL)? Drop Office for Mac? Big deal, we’ll run the Windows versions on our Macs then, if need be. Is this why Jobs has been building a world-class library of Mac-only software titles for years? Does Jobs still harbor the desire to take back the personal computer industry from Microsoft? Could that be the real reason why Jobs is undertaking the massive switch to Intel-based Macs? Or do you really think the switch to Intel-based Macs is just to get better performance per watt CPUs for Apple iBooks and PowerBooks?”
As Windows-only users buy Macs that will provide them their “comfort” of Windows, they will experience Mac OS X and use it for the excellent Mac-only applications. We all know what happens when people are given the chance to really use Macs for longer than five minutes, they usually want to buy a Mac. These new Apple Mac hardware users will start out using Windows more than Mac OS X and end up using Mac OS X exclusively. Watch and see.
While dual-booting is okay for those that need to use Windows apps, we’d still like to eventually see a solution like Darwine that runs Windows apps without Windows directly in Mac OS X. When that happens, the revenue going to Microsoft dries up and Windows’ death accelerates dramatically.
For those worried about Mac developers leaving the Mac OS X platform and just writing for Windows, we do not think that’s a real worry. Mac developers write for Mac OS X because of the numerous advantages it offers both to them and to the end user. The largest Mac developer, by the way, happens to be Apple, with many best-in-class Mac-only applications (the iLife suite, for just one example). You can’t run these on Windows and Apple isn’t about to abandon Mac OS X for Windows. Oh, sure, maybe a few smaller developers will try it, but most of the shaky Mac developers have already been weeded out during the Mac OS X transition anyway. Mac OS X is strong and getting stronger. Don’t worry about developers leaving the Mac platform for Windows; it’s not going to happen.
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Related articles:
Dude, you bought a Dell? What are you, stupid? Only Apple Macs run both Mac OS X and Windows! – April 05, 2006
Intel-based Apple Mac runs Windows XP ‘fast, extremely well’ – March 16, 2006
Needham: Apple’s Mac market share could rocket to 9-percent if Intel-based Macs ran Windows apps – March 08, 2006
Is Steve Jobs prepping ‘The Cupertino Project’ – Intel-based Macs that will run Windows apps, too? – December 28, 2005
Apple patent application describes Intel-based Macs that run Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows – November 05, 2005
Is Apple morphing Mac into the ultimate PC capable of running Mac OS X, Windows, Linux? – June 20, 2005
Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ ultimate goal: ‘to take back the computer business from Microsoft’ – June 16, 2005
Why buy a Dell when Apple’s Intel-based computers will run both Mac OS X and Windows? – June 08, 2005
Windows users who try Apple’s Mac OS X Tiger might not want to go back – June 07, 2005
Microsoft and Dell must have a lot of bricks lying around today – June 07, 2005
Microsoft CEO Ballmer: Apple’s moved to Intel? Ho hum – June 07, 2005
Apple about to resurrect its Switch campaign? Are the ‘OS wars’ really over? – May 09, 2005
Apple Macs are less expensive, more secure, longer-lasting than Windows PCs – April 21, 2005
This is good news evereyone, calm down.
Mac users will always still buy the Mac, Windows users now have one LESS reason for buying a Windows box. As far a market share numbers go, they can now only go up, not down.
So what if some people will buy an Intel Mac and install Windows on it and never use the Mac OS.
The point is:
1) It will show as a Mac sale on the market share numbers. We get a substantial increase in market share and all that means for increased mind-share. Don’t forget Apple make most of their cash from hardware.
2) Apple now have a Windows user, running Windows on a computer that has the possibility of running Mac OSX for NO EXTRA COST.
All Apple have to do now is convince that Windows user to switch to the Mac. This is a LOT easier than it was because now IT WILL COST THEM NOTHING TO DO SO.
How they will do this is up to Steve Jobs, but how about cancelling iTunes for Windows? (just boot into the Mac OS). Apple will release more and more great software for the Mac to entice these IntelMac Windows users to switch.
What’s next? Xcode for Windows.
Once Adobe (for instance) have completely ported Photoshop to XCode. Apple will release an update to XCode which will, with one tick box, compile the same app to run on Windows. They’d be stupid not to, as the cost savings for them would be huge. Ditto every other developer.
Once Apple control the development environment for Apple AND Windows, nothing will ever be the same. They’ve just pulled the rug from under Microsoft’s feet.
Steve Jobs (and his cohorts) are absolute genuises.
From the Boot Camp page:
EFI and BIOS
Macs use an ultra-modern industry standard technology called EFI to handle booting. Sadly, Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries.
Love it
The Bottom Line:
Apple should just have come out and said it straight:
“21ST & 20TH CENTURY COMPUTING. ONLY ON MAC.”
Oh, and Apple can give some advice to Microshite:
“REDMOND, START ORDERING NEW CHAIRS.”
This is a glorious development! For those good folks worried about Apple software developers jumping ship, ease your worried minds. If anyone needs to worry – it’s the windows community. Once people get a taste of OS X goodness customers will demand a port of their favorite software! This isn’t the death blow folks, but it’s the blow that sets up for the death blow. (What’d I’d give for a little Street Fighter action right now.) All the pieces seem to falling into place for what can only be the most concerted advance into PC territory ever. I wonder…if you were a fly on the wall at Dell headquarters, could you smell the fear?
MW:radio “Video killed the radio star.”
AAPL: it will go higher still. Maybe not yesterday, maybe not even tomorrow, but it’s going higher.
I think this is a fantastic development. Like another poster said, it makes one want to laugh at all those geeks who fought for the prize, though what they did on their own was not too shabby.
I still want virtualization, and it looks like it is coming, so I can run them side by side.
BTW, I am downloading BC now; anyone know if it can be installed on an external HD?
MW: “across” as in “shot across the bow”
“The most interesting thing for me is how much this screws Vista. If people get a mac and install windows on it, there is no way they’re gonna pay extra to get Vista later on. Chances are they’ll have dumped XP for OS X by then anyway.”
Exactly. Everyone worried about OSX support & development going away is just wrong. This will add considerably to the OS X installed base. This is what it takes to get more developers to notice Mac. They can now buy a Mac Mini and work in Windows and then boot into OS X to see how there work appears in OSX. Brilliant.
Redmond doens’t have a problem, yet. They still get to sell copies of windows. They don’t care that it is to users on Macs rather than directly to Dell. Hell, they’ll probably make more money per license this way.
Windows folks are going to now consider Macs. They can boot in Windows to do whatever they need to do for work and then boot in Mac for the digital home life and for the kids.
Paul Thurrott sold his Intel Mac last week because it wouldn’t boot his beloved Windows.
sorry… i just don’t see this as GOOD NEWS.
If I’m a developer with XP only applications, what’s my motivation to port it to OSX? You can easily, thanks to Apple, install XP on your Mac, and use my software now, without me haiving to do rewrite one line of code. This is only one more excuse for developers NOT to port to OSX.
Yes, I understand that a Mac running XP and OSX is better than a PC running only XP, but the only thing that happens now is that SOME people who need both can use a new Mac, instead of a Mac and a Dell. This only takes sales away from Dell, it doesn’t add sales to Apple, since the folks who need both would have to by from Apple anyway.
Most XP types are not.. I repeat NOT…. going to invest in a more expensive Mac, just to be able to boot into OSX, which they have no use for in the first place.
I just want to run MICROSTATION natively on a Mac as my whole business has developed around it over the last 18 years. Can anybody hear me?
So, how many Windows on Mac users will download their installation CD instead of buying it?
Develop in Xcode using Cocoa and Objective-C and recompile using gcc and GNU Step…. would be nice if the earlier post about Xcode doing it automatically soon is correct….
MDN Magic Word = “normal”, Please forgive the Windows interruption, your computer will return to normal OSX programming shortly.
Spartacus said:”So where are those morons that rushed picking on the Leopard rumors yesterday???????”
They were morons in a hurry, i presume
Jeff said:”This is all Apple can do? They take the hard work from some hackers and then brand it as their own? Come on Apple. Give us virtual machines”
Well they are waiting for the hackers to do the job on virtualization
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Now will Thurott try to get is intel iMac back?
And the whole virus thing will not go away. The fact that you might spread virii to your Mac partition by running Windows
How are you going to do that when Windows can’t write to HFS+ partitions?
Cool spin, it must be opposite day. I only see more Windows licenses sold by Microsoft, and that MS has moved into Apple’s living room, not the other way around.
I bet Mike and the boys at Dull are crapping their pants. I can’t wait to see what this does to them in the long run. Now might be the time for Mike to give HIS money back to the shareholders and shut the doors. I don’t see him as staying to go down with the ship.That would be one of the best things he could do.
Hmm..i forgot we have here “the real” Steve Jobs, who said:
“At last the guy who won the “Boot XP on a Mac” contest can afford a new Mac with a couple 30″ monitors attached.
Thanks donaters! 😀
Bozos.
S.”
Well, i did not donate. But i don’t know how to read your words. If you thanks the ones to donate, does it mean Apple was behind the whole project? If that was the case, you could have sold more stock instead of begging, don’t you think?
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To those ones considering Mr Thurrot sold his Mac too early, well i think you sing victory too early too. He sold because the lack of EFI support in Vista. Whatever happens in the future (an I think, Vista will eventualy run on Macs, thanks to virtualization). But yes, i think if he read the news perhaps he is thinking about what would happen in some time. Anyway, we have here “the real” Steve Jobs, who can answer that. If you are not available Mr Jobs, send us “the real” Phill Schiller to explain
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It’s like leaving an old smelly shoe in your Ferrari or Maserati. Eventually the stench will be too much and it (Win XP) will be tossed out the window. This is a brilliant move!
LOOK AT THE BOOT CAMP LOGO!!!!
APPLE JUST WENT AND REDESIGNED THE WINDOWS LOGO AND MADE IT LOOK NICE!!!
MDN word “Per”
Apple simplisity, as per usual
Forget Windows. The real news here is that Apple is providing support for re-partitioning your hard drive without re-installing. Boot Camp is just one side-effect of that.
This is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!!!!
It:
This is good news, you’re just not thinking it through:
“If I’m a developer with XP only applications, what’s my motivation to port it to OSX”
Because of the huge climb in market share that you’ve just seen of the Mac because all of those Windows users now buying Mac hardware.
One point I did not overlook is that you must be using a FULL version, not an upgrade version, to install. If you’re one of the ones who only bought the upgrade versions all along, as I did when I used Doze, you are SOL. I’ll never buy the full version of XP just to be able to dual boot. Maybe 10.5 will include upgrades.
I agree with jt.
I’m not a big fan of dual booting for several reasons
1 – I do believe it would be bad for the mac software market. With Apple’s little market share developers have now even less incentive to develop for OSX
2 – Learning a new OS is time consuming and the average consumer may stick with Windows just out of pure ignorance or laziness. I believe the average consumer doesn’t have the inclination to learn something new even if given to them.
3 – From my own experience I worked for a couple of years dual booting Windows and OS2 and I can tell you that it was a pain in the butt!. The rebooting was very tedious ’cause I had t do it several times a day and it was loss of productivity for me. Unless you reaaaally need native speed trust me you would wan virtualization instead.
If this is what it takes to get Windows users over to the other side then so be it!
Who in their right mind will buy anything other than a Mac now?
Brilliant move Apple!
All this for virtulization?
This is a beta only, Gates may well strike a deal with Apple to remove this. Billy ain’t getting any of the pie like he has from the other PC makers, just our cash IF we buy XP, which no REAL PC USER does. Steve may pull this if Bill promises to play well with others and return media player, support of IE and develop the VM software. OR he may actually be giving back to Bill what bill gave him 20 years ago.
: )