Intel-based Mac users who desire dual Windows XP functionality: get ready for boot camp, Apple style. The computer company today announced a public beta of Boot Camp, software designed for Intel-based Macs which will allow users the ability to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP, while perhaps at the same time tempting some Windows users to switch to the Mac OS after getting the chance to do a side by side comparison.
Boot Camp, said Apple, is preview software licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time. The software, which will be available as a feature for the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5 “Leopard†release, provides a graphical step-by-step assistant to help create a second partition on an Intel-based Mac’s hard drive for Windows XP, burn to a CD all necessary Windows drivers and install Windows from a Windows XP installation CD. After installation is complete, users will be able to boot into either operating system
Apple emphasized customers will need to bring their own copy of Windows XP to the table and that no support for installing or running Boot Camp will exist.
“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 a statement. “We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch.”
