Boot Camp

ReelSmart is really not a news site, but it is just too big an announcement not to post. Apple has released a beta of a new app called Boot Camp that allows users to run Windows XP natively on the new Intel Macs. The software is available as a beta right now and will ship with Mac OS X Leopard, the company’s next-generation operating system slated to make its first public appearance in August at the WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference).

Boot Camp partitions your hard drive to make room for Windows XP without you having to reformat your OS X partition. I helps you burn a CD so you can install all drivers necessary to run Windows XP, on your Intel Mac hardware. Once install is finished you will now have a dual-boot system. All you need to do is hold down the Option key (Alt key for Windows users) while restarting your Mac and choose the OS you want.

What you’ll need:

  • Mac OS X Tiger v10.4.6 (check Software Update)
  • The latest Firmware update (check Support Downloads)
  • 10GB free hard disk space
  • An Intel-based Mac
  • A blank recordable CD
  • A printer for the instructions (You’ll want to print them before installing Windows, really.)
  • A bona fide installation disc for Microsoft Windows XP, Service Pack 2, Home or Professional (No multi-disc, upgrade or Media Center versions.)

Included Mac-specific drivers for Windows:

  • Graphics
  • Networking
  • Audio
  • AirPort wireless
  • Bluetooth
  • The Eject key (on Apple keyboards)
  • Brightness control for built-in displays

Here’s what probably won’t work in Windows on your Intel Mac (at least right now):

  • iSight
  • Apple Remote
  • Apple USB modem
  • keyboard backlighting on the MacBook

Note: Mac OS X can read Windows FAT32 partitions and newer NTFS partitions, but Windows XP can not read OS X HFS partitions without third-party software. Setting the Windows XP partition to FAT32 would give you the best compatibility with OS X for sharing data. You will be giving up some security and stability on Windows XP.

Of course what I would like to see is Windows applications running neatly and at native speeds on top of OS X without ever booting Windows. But this is the great first step.

So far Wall Street has reacted positively on this announcement pushing Apple stock higher. Why not! This is great news for users. So many cubicle workers in large companies that have needed to run Windows for some proprietary Windows-based software exposing themselves and their company to spyware and viruses, can now buy a MacBook Pro. They may only need to boot to Windows occasionally.

This is also great news for gamers, who have always wanted a Mac, both also needed Windows for the games they like. Now Windows will run at full speed on a Mac!

Imagine a school where all the computers campus-wide are new Intel Macs that can run either Mac OS X or Windows. There might even be scheduling software to reboot the classroom between classes so it’s transparent to the end-user. This development could allow an organization to achieve complete standardization on one model computer (e.g. the new Intel iMac).

This is bad news for HP, DELL and other PC makers as Apple will be able to grow additional PC market share. Just another blow to add to a decreased 4Q , due to Microsoft Vista, not shipping yet again.

Maybe Apple should consider some revitalized “switcher” ads for the holiday season.

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