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
autocad, arcgis, bootcamp. Enough said.
I just found out that Paul Thurrott is helpful to us Mac users in getting XP SP2 boot CDs to use with Boot Camp!
I have XP SP1 OEM and I have applied SP2 patches on my PC, but since Boot Camp requires an XP boot CD with SP2 files already I am trying Paul Thurrott’s Slipstreaming process he documents at his article to make a XP SP2 boot CD from a previous version of XP (say SP1a or prior):
http://winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sp2_slipstream.asp
Thanks Paul for the Windows XP advice so I can (hopefully) make a bootable XP SP2 CD to use on my Intel Mac with Boot Camp!
What a bunch overblown idiotic horseshirt this friggin bigoted discussion is! What’s funny is that about the only people that really give a rats arse about this whole friggin deal is the MAC bigot community, treating it like its the second coming or something! Well girls and boyz it ain’t. You’re about to do what has been done on PC’s for years. Its old hat! its just that Apple woke up to the fact its a great way to shoehorn their way into the market space to increase presence and share. Get over yourselves for godsake. People will use what makes sense to them and it seems what makes sense to the market owns 92+ % of the frigging market space, you lot simply ain’t that special you just think you are.
Will those numbers change? Sure, and I’ll be helping you all out to change them tonight, MAC Mini Baby.
The difference here is that I have needs that are satisfied by both O/Ses that make both worthwhile. I’ve used a MAC I know what it is and does, ITS a FRIGGIN computer IT AIN’T THAT SPECIAL. Its interesting its lovely looking but when its running MAC software it don’t do some stuff I need. when its running PC there are things it don’t do either. This is just a solution, there ain’t no foot washing, water-wine conversion, people being nailed to computers to die, or even resurections. There is just some piece of software being developed that will let MAC users run Windows software on their MAC’s. By itself its interesting, only to Geeks (me) and Bigots (others) not users in general. You want to take over the world? Then do OSX on current PC hardware without having to hack stuff up like you have to today. Now you are talking big time !
switch to a mac, use your XP application licenses forever, ’cause Vista aint gonna be worth a damn… ride off into the OSX sunset. today is a great day!
This isn’t going to make much of a difference on sales. Why? Simple. You can either get a Dell that comes with Windows for $700 lets say. Or you can buy an iMac for $1299. But wait, you want Windows. Ok, add another $200 for XP Home or $350 for XP Pro. Right. Everyone’s going to spend $1500 – $1650 when they can spend $700 for the Dell? Not going to happen.
People will switch to Apple hardware because they are sick of Windows, not because Apple hardware will run Windows.
Shee…shee.. Phil… it’s all right.. it’s all right. No need to get that excited..shee……I understand…. I understand… you’re just suffering SBU (sperm back up) syndrome….may be you get some lay tonight so you won’t be that grouchy tomorrow. Shee…. sheee…it’s all right…
hey sammy was you aware windows is crap at utilising multi processors and osx is great at it, so even is dual cores arent the top processors macs get more out of them.
Acually, it’s pretty common knowledge the Windows kernel is slightly better at scheduling multiple threads than the current OSX kernel. However I could tell by your second grade response that you really don’t know what you’re talking about, so asking you to substantiate yourself would probably be too much to ask wouldn’t it?
BTY Sammy, the answer to your “top tier chips” question will be in August when Apple releases its ProMac with Quad Core chip and SLI graphic architecture. I think you are a negative person but please learn more before you make any cynical remarks! At least be a knowledgeable cynic!
Yes it does help to be knowledgeable…..knowledgeble enough to realize there will be NO quad-core chips from Intel by August. In fact, where did you gain this bit of “knowledge” from? Intel’s “quad core” Kentfield chip is not slated for release until 1st quarter 2007. Conroe is Intel’s next generation dual core processor to be introduced this fall.
And do you know what “SLI graphics architecture” is? It’s been available for PC’s for years now, and it’s only available for Nvidia’s Nforce 4 chipsets. ATI’s Crossfire is based on their own RD480 and RD580 chipsets. So unless Apple plans to stop making their own chipsets and motherboards, you won’t find SLI or Crossfire on Apple systems anytime soon.
Yes….it does help to be knowledgable, doesn’t it Botox?
Yes it does!! But you are still a bitter, sour and negative “knowledgeable” person.
BTY, Sammy, I think you’re anal retentive too!!! Down to the details!!
Jeff have you forgotten about the Mac mini at $599 or the duo-core mini at $799.
You do also know that there are plenty of Pcs in the $1200 range right?
Yeah I know it’s fun to take a base model Pc for $700 and compare it to a fully inclusive duo-core iMac and scream about pricing injustice… But let’s be reasonable here… Sheesh!
The other boot drops!
Phil: Please switch to decaf? Xanax? You did know that this is a Mac users’ oriented site with a Mac oriented discussion thread?
Congrats on the Mac Mini. A terminal, Aqua, Autocad and porn. That’s living.
“you lot simply ain’t that special you just think you are”
Isn’t that always the way it is, anywhere in the world?
And I may be special but I’m not ON special.
botox: SBU! LOL! Good one. I’ve “heard” that there’s a quick fix.
ok if you have to, but imagine the fool who chooses to!
Buy a Mac and run windows on it by choice… Duh. Bad decision. You loose.
First Dave Mathews, now Windows…
I think I’m gonna puke…
Botox,
ya know, I was coming up with some totally off the wall reply to eff with ya, but I realized I just don’t care that much (read at all).
Its just another friggin computer anyway you look at it. Its not the Gizim slurping competition you seem intent on it being. So, if wanna side track the reality of the discussion, go right ahead take yer latest boyfriend round behind your school Gym and go at it. Meantime, we’ll be here flaming all the zealots and anti-christs as they appear to weigh in…
Has anybody tried it? Does Photoshop run faster via Apple>XP than Dell(or whatever)>XP???
Is XP the same or faster on Apple computers????
Because if XP and programs run lots slower than on a Windows XP computer this is kind of worthless.
I hope developers continue to still develop programs for OS X on Intel. With Boot Camp, I can see developers saying to people who want an app for OSX “buy a copy of windows.”
When you have the “cadillac” of operating systems, why would you want to install a “used car?” Sounds like “the lights are on, but nobody’s home!”
This is probably one of the best check moves Apple has ever made.
The Bootcamp gambit!
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Checkmate in 3 moves!
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…”chess” moves…
Not all people can afford Macs.
Big deal. Macs have been able to run Windows at native speeds before in the past and it didn’t make any difference to the market share. Anyone here been around Macs long enough to remember the PC Compatibility cards?
I still have an 8500 with the 100MHz P1 12″ PCI Card. You could run both OS 8 and Windows 95 at the same time and even switch between the two.
I guess price is the advantage now (just need to pay for a copy of Winblows). Those cards weren’t cheap.
I’m loving all the hysteria. If you were paying attention, this move – and more like it to come – was set into motion when Steve realized that tunes for head banging downloaders was more profitable than another cat to run on shiny aluminum. Mac OS is done. Say goodnight.
Gambit, I dunno that its the best ever but its certainly a good un, A Slam dunk in my opinion would be OSX on PC x86.
Even better would be the OSX shell on top of the XP guts and then the MAC crew can catch all-arsed x86 digital syphillis too instead of the half-arsed OSX digital Syph!
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I am not interested at all in this. Period.
Have people lost their friggin’ MINDS???
Run Windows on a Mac????
ROTFLMAO!
What a joke!