Surprise! Apple releases Boot Camp, XP now runs on Intel-based Apple hardware

[GilWave]

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2006...5bootcamp.html

Apple Introduces Boot Camp

Public Beta Software Enables Intel-based Macs to Run Windows XP

CUPERTINO, California—April 5, 2006—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. “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.

Pricing & Availability
The public beta of Boot Camp is available immediately as a download at www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp, 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 bootcamp@apple.com.

System Requirements
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.

[octatonic]

Excellent.

[T_R_S]

I guess when you get a virus that kills your XP you can always go back to OS X. It was bound to happen. thumbsup

[hmurchison]

Debating on whether to try this or just wait for it to be included in OS X 10.5 minus any niggling bugs.

Kudos to Apple for creating yet another reason to own a Mac.

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by hmurchison

Debating on whether to try this or just wait for it to be included in OS X 10.5 minus any niggling bugs

No reason not to do it, as it sets up a second partition for XP and does not affect OS X one way or another.

You can always upgrade to 10.5 anyway if XP runs a little buggy. I think the biggest issue for musos will be hardware drivers.

-gil

[theblue1]

Cool.


It probably won't be a massive phenom -- since folks would still have to plunk down for a copy of XP and then there are inherent issues of a dual boot system which, in some ways, might not be as convenient as previous dual use solutions.

But it should help some folks who have specific needs... any extra choice is good and it really sounds like Apple has done their homework... it's always been my perception that most folks are a little nervious about setting up dual boot systems, partitions, and the like.

[BorrelNote]

I think it is THE perfect example of hypocrisy.......Apple doesn't want XP computers to run Mac OSX and the same time allow it the other way...Bah !dfegad

[hmurchison]

Originally Posted by BorrelNote

I think it is THE perfect example of hypocrisy.......Apple doesn't want XP computers to run Mac OSX and the same time allow it the other way...Bah !dfegad

Duh. They don't serialize OS X nor can they guarantee OS X Intel would work on every configuration. Enjoy building strawmen?

[eweise]

This is great for me since I have to use Windows for my work. I was debating whether to give up on the mac since its expensive buying hardware for both platforms. Now I can just have one laptop for everything. I wonder if it will also boot linux.

[G-Dawg]

yeay! freecell on a mac!

[theblue1]

Originally Posted by BorrelNote

I think it is THE perfect example of hypocrisy.......Apple doesn't want XP computers to run Mac OSX and the same time allow it the other way...Bah !dfegad

Well, the solution is easy. I you don't like the way they do business, don't do business with them. Vote with your pocket book.


Me (a PC user for 20 years), I think it's fine. It's potentially good for Mac users and it certainly doesn't hurt me. Not that I'm particularly worried about MS, but it doesn't hurt them, either. If you want to rund XP on your machine you're going to have to buy a copy. (Or jump through a few hoops getting a crack going and keep it running. Not just bad ehtics but bad practice, too.)


Sure, I'd like to see Apple sell a generic version of OS X. I might well pick up a copy myself.

But I SERIOUSLY don't think it's going to happen -- since I feel certain that they don't want to open themselves up for the myriad of support issues from trying to support a very, very wide range of hardware. I've never looked at what MS spends on support but if it's not bigger than the expenditures in any single Apple division I would be hugely surprised...


Let's face it, in computing, Apple is a niche player.

As such, they don't have the perceived 'responsibilities' that a company like MS, with its virtual monopoly, does.



Now, if you want to get all outraged over the monoplolistic practices of Apple with regards to the iTunes store and iPods... OK, that's another matter.

But I think various governments are going to be hammering on them on that angle, so, you know...

[adzski]

Originally Posted by GilWave

“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.

Fukkin hilarious!! LOL

[Roger Starr]

Would be a great joke if Apple goes the Dell competition direction. You never know. They are now a niche player, but who says they want to stay that way? With the whole iPod hype and the big exposure to none Apple people with that it might be interesting considering Apple to go for high quality design and hardware to compete with Dell...

Regards,

Roger

[theblue1]

You know, a Core Duo Mini running XP might actually have some traction in the marketplace...


I may just have to poinder that a while...



Is there a fan in the new Minis?

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by BorrelNote

I think it is THE perfect example of hypocrisy.......Apple doesn't want XP computers to run Mac OSX and the same time allow it the other way...

It's not that simple.

You could always run Windows on Mac with Virtual PC, but not the other way around.

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple packages OS X in the future as an OS to run on Unix or PC hardware, and the circle completed.

[captain caveman]

Originally Posted by GilWave

I wouldn't be surprised if Apple packages OS X in the future as an OS to run on Unix or PC hardware, and the circle completed.

The only way that would happen is if they stopped selling the hardware themselves.

Anyway the real issue is that, whether Apple like it or not, OSX is running on PCs as we speak. So IMHO I think that OSX will be a target for virus creators, worm breeders, hackers and such - at least until Vista comes out.

Cause its the first time the PC-based "bad guys" have REALLY had their hands on it.

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by theblue1

Is there a fan in the new Minis?

Yes, a small one that Apples says is "whisper quiet" (K). There is also a heat sink on the CPU. More at http://www.macworld.com/weblogs/edit...5/01/miniopen/

Originally Posted by captain cavweman

The only way that would happen is if they stopped selling the hardware themselves.

Not necessarily. Their hardware is a cut above everyone elses, yet there is very little margin in it. Better to grab $120 for a CD-ROM at 97% margin than try to only sell towers at 15%.

They make their money on iPods and laptops - they've all but conceded towers/desktops to Dell and the like. Once the Intel-based G5 replacements hit the market with Dual-Boot capability and they can sell hardware to the PC faithful, it's a no-brainer to trun around and sell OS-X to them as well - very covert way of stealing back market share.

-gil

[Tonal-Retentive]

Apple has good margins on their hardware.

[captain caveman]

GilWave, you're right. I've had a rethink and I'd like to recount everything I've ever said.

Software is where the money is at.

If they did sell OSX to the PC market it would definately severely dent Microsoft's market share too.

I'd like to see what all the fuss is about too, being a Cubase SX3 user - I could start running on OSX. Oh, its soooo pretty.

Having said that, if OSX became as big as XP then the reasons for switching to it would decrease because it would be as big a target for the bad guys as XP is now.

Vive la revoution.

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by captain caveman

Vive la revoution.

Some people use Nuendo not because they like it better than Pro Tools, but because it is NOT Pro Tools.

There are many in the Mac camp who love Apple but bemoan the high price of Apple hardware compared to the build-it-yourself, bang-for-the-buck horsepower of a PC system. They would be happy to crank out a monster PC hardware wise, and run their beloved OS-X. And why shouldn't they, really? It would give Mac gaming a much-needed shot in the arm too.

On the other side are those that love PCs but hate Microsoft. They've been using Linspire or some other form of Unix/Linux as a way to flip off XP. The user-interface has always been a few steps behind though in terms of ergonomics. Those folks would love to be able to get OS-X to run on their hardware as well. Double satisfaction.

At the end of the day, Microsoft got where it is being a software company, with a few hardware products thrown in for good measure. Apple was more of a hardware company, with a few software products thrown in.

Now that Apple has seen professional success with software (most notably Final Cut Pro, Logic to a lesser extent) and since they are cash-rich thanks to iPod sales, it would make sense from a business standpoint to sell OS-X as an OS to run on as many desktops and corporate servers as possible. That way, like Microsoft, they can peck us to death with upgrades when they need to show shareholder value during an off year

[theblue1]

There are even those who 'love' XP (it sounds funny in my ear -- but I've heard so many people say those very words over the years, and I've even said it myself) but hate -- or at least seriously distrust -- MS.


Me, I'm not Mac regular, but in my work I occasionally have to use a Mac at clients and while there are some technical things I admire about it (and a few I think are fundamental flaws), I can't say I've every really warmed up to the way it looks or works. (Not, mind you, that I go gaw-gaw over the look XP... in fact I totally DESPISED the old blue and tan original XP skin... FIRST thing I did was switch to the Classic Win skin. Later I adopted a third party skinner on my laptop. On my new desktop, I'm running a stripped down Windows Media Center Edition [I got the boot footprint down to under 120 MB; a lot of the horror stories promoted by the likes of Sweetware -- who refuse to support any machine runnig it -- are, mmm, what's the nice word for bullshit?] and WMCE actually looks pretty decent to my jaded eye.)


Anyhow, if a 'portable' version of OS X came out I might be inclined to toy with it, since I am a software developer and I find that stuff interesting. But based on my experience with -- and my technical reading about -- OS X, I'm (emphasis on personal pref, here, OK?) not actually drawn to it.

That's not to be taken as any kind of slag of the OS. I think it's obviously a HUGE step forward for Apple and has some very good innovations. It brought Apple into the 90s and then directly shot them forward into this century, finally delivering OS level support for MIDI and multichannel audio to the Mac.

If someone prefers OS X -- and obviously many do -- it's an excellent and solid choice.


But, while I think it's quite unlikely that Apple would release a portable version of the OS, if they did, I would be surprised if it gained much machine-share in the big scheme of things. But, hell, I've been surprised before. (My guess is that about 5%-8% of PC users might dally with it and that about half those would probably end up using it at least part time on an ongoing basis. That's just a guess, mind you, but I've been watching penetration and usage figures in the biz for a long time.)

Anyhow, we're all served by having two healthy, capable OS's. Competition drives innovation.

[drew]

you might see a standalone version of OSX if/when the iPod and Video iPod become their bread and butter and the computers take a backseat at some point.

[GilWave]

Originally Posted by drew

you might see a standalone version of OSX if/when the iPod and Video iPod become their bread and butter and the computers take a backseat at some point.

Right - and that happened in FYE 2004. And continued in FYE 2005.

[BrianT]

I think it's a brilliant move.

I think this will sell a bunch of Mac laptops to Windows users who will appreciate having the option to use OSX when they prefer a Mac app. I can see myself owning my first Mac laptop as a direct result.

For some people who happily run XP based audio apps, rebooting to OSX to enable Final Cut Pro would be enough reason by itself.

[adzski]

Originally Posted by BrianT

I think it's a brilliant move.

Apple will milk any potential hardware sales from Boot Camp before releasing OSX as an OS in a couple of years IMO.

[FFTT]

This opens up an entirely new market to those who are either heavily invested in
Windows compatible software and those who require MS Windows simply to run certain dedicated Windows Only black box applications for work.

Gamers will finally be able to run their Windows games on Apple hardware natively.

While Windows viruses and spyware will still be an issue, the user can drastically reduce
their risk by running Windows only while connected to a secure and protected network, using Mac OSX for most of their primary online tasks.

While Windows malware will not affect Mac OSX, the user will have to implement
certain cautions running dual platforms.

I would personally not share e-mail addresses between the 2 systems.

For those who have said they MUST have Windows for work, now they can.

Those using Mac OSX for the first time will now have complete freedom to switch
between the two platforms taking advantage of the best software available
for any task.

This will also allow Linux users greater selection, so in fact Apple now produces the
only triple boot system available.

Most users are now finding very little difference in hardware pricing between between "better" P/C's and Apple products, so this gives a tremendous advantage to Apple hardware in versatility as well as quality.

While this is great news, I would still consider any hardware purchase from any vendor
as a hold over measure.

The current MacBook Pro is already in it's 4th revision addressing a few important issues.
It won't be long now until we see Meron, Conroe and Woodcrest models.

Apparently, the new 13" WS iBooks will be out some time around June.

This will be huge with the back to school crowd who previously were forced to buy P/C's to run certain Windows Only programs for testing.

The mind boggles.

[solo-act]

+1 for FFTT -- what he said thumbsup

I've lived on a mac since 93 and used the platform 8 years creating backing tracks while I gigged for a living.

I changed careers recently forcing a move to XP pro to do work. I worked faster on XP than windows users, but hated every second of living with two laptops and clunking around the 1980's XP interface.

I'll have both lives in one box now. Mild mannered frustrated XP user by day, happy OSX musician by night.


--E

[Bob Olhsson]

Originally Posted by GilWave

... Their hardware is a cut above everyone elses

I'm afraid only the design of the plastic cases!

[camitchell]

.


This is a huge paradigm shift for Apple. It now puts them in _direct_ competition with Dell and other hardware vendors regardless of how coy Apple marketing wants to be about it.

No more comparing Apples to Oranges.

I think the results of this will be sesmic for Apple's hardware sales. It looks like the stock market agrees too.

CraigM

[stag]

Originally Posted by GilWave

“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,”

This kind of statemment made from somebody alledgelly responsible, makes me think of other things aside the expressed ones.
Yes i would like to run XP on Macs, since i think OSX is utter crap IMO, a consumer
is happy because now has more choices, but thinking again how good can be a computer made by ******s that think they going to pass the almost 2% of market share by insulting the remaining 98%... how sad, how stupid... how do you think Mac is compred to a VAIO, Toshiba, ADK or a custom built hot rod??? i´ll tell you Mac still suck, they are good at hype and obfuscation and that´s all to them.


Why don´t they sell OSX without the over priced garbage dongle??? Are the masters of superiority affraid or what???
yeha i´ve seen the Macbppk pro, it´s no competition to a Qosmio or top of the line VAIO.