“Moving your entire product line of both hardware and software from one CPU architecture to another isn’t an easy job, but given its progress so far I’d say that Apple could write the book on it. In the last few months Apple has released Intel versions of its iMac and Mac mini systems, as well as the remarkable MacBook Pro, finally answering those that criticised Apple’s failure to bring a PowerBook G5 to market,” Leigh Dyer writes for PC Authority.
“Apple’s biggest surprise so far though has been Boot Camp — the official but unsupported method of installing Windows XP on Intel-based Macs. Apple had said on several occasions that it would do nothing to prevent running alternative operating systems, but it certainly came as a surprise to me to see the company actively encouraging it,” Dyer writes. “But why can’t Intel Macs boot XP in the first place, and what does Boot Camp do to allow it to work?”
Dyer goes on to explain that Apple’s Boot Camp is “actually a collection of technologies” and writes, “I don’t think we’ll see any big migration of Windows users to Macs running Windows though. Intel Macs are more comparable to PCs in terms of secifications than any previous Macs, and for many Windows users, the extra cost for Apple’s machines will be hard to swallow, especially when the cost of a Windows licence is added. For some users, though, Boot Camp is a dream come true — developers and support engineers have access to a universal machine that can run Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X, all with full performance.”
Dyer goes on to explain how to triple-boot Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows XP on an Apple Mac in the full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “LinuxGuy & AAPL owner” for the heads up.]
MacDailyNews Take: We believe there will be a significant migration of Windows users to Macs that are capable of running both mac OS X and Windows. People can easily grasp the concept of getting a universal personal computer. People love to get “two for one” or, in this case, with Linux, a “three for one” deal. We also believe that after a short time, such users will find themselves using Mac OS X more and more and Windows less and less. You do not need Windows for personal computing. You do not need Microsoft at all. In fact, it’s a vastly better experience if you do eliminate Microsoft from your personal computer. Most people will not just believe that when told, they simply need to learn it on their own. With Boot Camp Public Beta and the upcoming Mac OS X Leopard Apple is providing just such a learning situation.
Advertisements:
• Introducing the super-fast, blogging, podcasting, do-everything-out-of-the-box MacBook. Starting at just $1099.
• Get the new iMac with Intel Core Duo for as low as $31 A MONTH with Free shipping!
• Get the MacBook Pro with Intel Core Duo for as low as $47 A MONTH with Free Shipping!
• Apple’s new Mac mini. Intel Core, up to 4 times faster. Starting at just $599. Free shipping.
• iPod. 15,000 songs. 25,000 photos. 150 hours of video. The new iPod. 30GB and 60GB models start at just $299. Free shipping.
• Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.
• iPod Radio Remote. Listen to FM radio on your iPod and control everything with a convenient wired remote. Just $49.
Related MacDailyNews articles:
BusinessWeek: big market-share gains coming for Apple’s Macintosh – June 15, 2006
Analyst: Apple Mac market share primed to explode; iPod Halo Effect to become increasingly important – June 13, 2006
Analysts: Apple Mac market share to surge by end of 2006 – June 07, 2006
Many believe Mac market share increases coming now that Apple Macs can run Windows applications – April 25, 2006
Apple ready to take back market share; may debut Windows virtualization in Mac OS X Leopard – April 21, 2006
Pre-Boot Camp report: Apple could double market share on Microsoft defections – April 13, 2006
Analyst: Apple Boot Camp could be an opportunity for Mac market share gains – April 06, 2006
Apple’s ‘Boot Camp’ a watershed, could dramatically expand Mac market share – April 05, 2006
