Apple has released Beta Version of Boot Camp software. Intel Mac owners with Mac OS X Tiger v 10.4.6 will be able to install and use Windows XP, Service Pack 2 -- Home and Professional versions. After Boot Camp install process is completed a user can press the Option (Alt) key during Mac start-up to choose running either Mac OS X or Win XP. Simplicity that is a standard from Apple.
Links for downloading the 83 MB Boot Camp software and details about using it are available here. Apple's FAQ for installing Boot Camp is here. True to Apple's philosophy of making life easier for users, Boot Camp burns a CD with the drivers that Windows needs to recognize Mac specific hardware. Thus interested testers of the Boot Camp Beta won't have to search and download these drivers from the Internet.
The three reasons behind this strategic move from Apple seem to be:
- Increase the sales of Intel based Mac computers and improve Apple Mac's market share
- Help interested Windows users switch to the "cooler" Mac Hardware while continuing to use their Windows software and data.
- Allow existing Mac users to use software, utilities, and games available on Windows and therefore not dump the Macintosh.
The first reason seems to be the most compelling with several implications. For long I have wondered why Apple continues to blunder with its strategy of tying hardware and software together when most of the Computer Industry has posted impressive gains by focusing on parts. Microsoft has focused on supplying the OS and productivity software for Windows. Dell, HP and other players have focused on supplying PCs that run Windows and compatible software.
Philip Schiller, Apple's SVP of Product Marketing stated the following in Apple's press release to explain the latest move by the company:
- "We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch."
- "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"
Post 1 of 3. To continue...
» What Makes Apple Cool? from TheBizofCoding
This post continues from my previous post Apple Boot Camp software -- run Windows XP on Intel Macs I have always wondered why Steve Jobs does not make Apple the Design Center for the rest of the world. Think about the following... [Read More]
Tracked on: April 5, 2006 6:04 PM | Permalink to Trackback