| Apple introduces public
beta software to run Windows
5 April, 2006
By Mark Cox
Apple has introduced Boot Camp, public beta software that
enables Intel- based Macs to run Windows XP. Available as
a download now, 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.
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.
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 will not be providing support for installing or running
Boot Camp. Apple welcomes user feedback on Boot Camp at bootcamp@apple.com.
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