Compiled by Charles Moore
and edited by Dan Knight
- 2006.04.12
This Week's Macintel News
Boot Camp, Apple's program that allows those with Intel-based
Macs to install Windows XP SP2, may be getting most of the press
over the past week, but the real news is virtualization.
Virtualization allows a computer to run two different operating
systems concurrently, and Parallels Workstation for OS X does
that, avoiding the need to restart the computer to switch between
OS X and Windows.
We also have plenty of commentary and hands-on reporting about
Boot Camp. And, of course, the whole "why" question. Why would a
Mac user want to mess with Windows? Will the ability to run
OS X and Windows really attract Windows users?
PowerBook, iBook, and other portable computing news is covered
in The 'Book Review. General
Apple and Mac desktop news is covered in The Mac News Review. iPod news is covered
in The iNews Review.
Virtualization News
Boot Camp News
Boot Camp Reviews
The Macintel Transition
Tech Tips and Info
Virtualization News
Virtualize, Don't Dual Boot
The Apple Core's Jason D. O'Grady says:
"There's been plenty of hype about Apple's dual boot option for
Windows Macs, Boot Camp but there's another option that is worthy
of consideration....
"Parallels
Workstation 2.1 is the first desktop virtualization
solution for Intel-based Macs that enables you to run Windows,
Linux and other operating systems in parallel inside Mac OS X.
"It's important to note that this is not a 'dual-boot'
environment like Boot Camp. Parallels allows you to use Windows or
any other operating system at the same time as Mac OS X, so that
you can stay in your Mac OS X desktop while still being able to use
applications from other OSes...."
Link: Virtualize,
Don't Dual Boot
Virtualization: Two Operating Systems at Once,
No Restarting to Switch
PR: Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta for Mac OS X is
not simply a "dual-boot" solution; rather, it empowers users
the ability to use Windows, Linux, and any other operating system
at the same time as Mac OS X.
It's here! Parallels is proud to launch the Beta program the
first virtualization solution specifically designed to work with
Intel-powered Apple computers! Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta for
Mac OS X is noy simply a "dual-boot" solution; rather,
it empowers users the ability to use Windows, Linux and any other
operating system at the same time as Mac OS X, enabling users
to enjoy the comfort of their Mac OS X desktop while still
being able to use critical applications from other OSes.
Be part of this important Beta program!
Download a free, fully functional copy of Parallels Workstation
2.1 Beta for Mac OS X now! During your evaluation, please let
us know about your experience; click the "submit feedback" button
to share your comments, suggestions or any performance issues you
encounter.
Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta for Mac OS X offers users a
number of important features, including:
Broad OS Support
Use any version of Windows (3.1, 3.11, 95, 98, Me, 2000, NT, XP,
2003), any Linux distribution, FreeBSD, Solaris, OS/2, eComStation,
or MS-DOS in secure virtual machines running alongside Mac OS
X.
Great Performance
Driven by full support for dual-core processors and Intel
Virtualization Technology (included in almost every new
Intel-powered Mac), virtual machines created using Parallels
Workstation 2.1 Beta offer near-native performance and rock-solid
stability.
Unmatched Ease of Use
Download the program and install it with a single click. Build a
virtual machine in seconds using helpful wizards. Configure virtual
machines using a simple web-inspired interface.
Works on any Intel-powered Mac
Any Intel Powered Macintosh running OS X 10.4.4 or higher is
compatible with Parallels Workstation 2.1.
Download and Evaluate Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta for Mac
OS X now!
Link: Parallels
Workstation 2.1 Beta for Mac OS X
Parallels Trumps Boot Camp, Beats Virtual PC to
Intel
MacWindows.com reports:
"The day after Apple announced Boot Camp, Parallels, a builder
of virtualization software for Linux, surprised Apple-watchers by
providing another way to run Windows on Intel-powered Macs. The
company released a beta of Parallels Workstation 2.1 Beta2 for Mac
OS X on Intel, which runs Windows in Mac OS X at
near-native-PC speeds. Like Virtual PC, Parallels Workstation can
run multiple instances of Windows and Linux in separate virtual
machines.
"Unlike Apple's Boot Camp, Parallels Workstation gives users
access to both Windows and Mac OS X environments without
having to reboot the Mac. Parallels also beat Microsoft to market
with Windows virtualization for Intel Duo Core Macs. Microsoft has
not announced a ship date for an Intel-Mac version of Virtual
PC."
Link: Parallels
Trumps Apple, Beats Microsoft
Parallels Runs Fast, Switches to Windows 'in a
Flash'
MacWindows.com:
"Joshua Byers, a PC technician, likes the Intel-powered Mac as a
Windows platform, using either Boot Camp or Parallels Workstation
2.1 Beta2 for Mac OS X on Intel. In fact, he installed both
beta versions on his machine. Here is his review of both. Joshua
identifies the existing issues and some ways to work around some of
them.
"I have Win XP SP2 Pro retail running on a dual-core 2.0 GHz,
MacBook Pro (2 GB of RAM,
100 GB 7200 RPM) using both Boot Camp and Parallels Workstation 2.1
b2.
"I'm thrilled with the performance with each....
"The ease of installation is incredible for Boot Camp and for
Parallels."
"The ability to run the two operating systems simultaneously
puts Parallels out ahead of Boot Camp in my opinion for most common
usages."
Link: A
Review of Apple's Boot Camp Beta and Parallels Workstation
Beta
Parallels Highly Recommended
MacMegasite's Mike reports:
"With today's introduction of Parallels Workstation beta
following yesterday's introduction of Apple's Boot Camp, there are
now two supported methods of running Windows and other operating
systems on Intel Macs. I've tried both and found one to be much
more flexible.
"Apple's Boot Camp will partition your hard drive for Windows
(without requiring reformatting or losing data) and allow dual
booting of both operating systems. However, you must reboot to
switch between systems.
"Parallels Workstation, on the other hand, brings true
virtualization to the Mac. Another operating system such as
Windows, OS/2, or Linux runs in its own virtual machine either in a
separate window or taking over the full screen. Unlike Virtual PC,
nothing is being emulated: it adds a virtualization layer between
the hardware and the operating system which gives it the illusion
of running on its own machine. As a result, Windows runs at almost
full speed. You don't have to reformat your hard drive or create a
partition, since it uses 'virtual drives' similar to Virtual
PC."
Link: Boot Camp vs.
Parallels: Running Windows on an Intel Mac
Boot Camp News
Windows on Macs: The Real Reason for the Intel
Switch
In this week's Less Tangible on MacOpinion, Marc Zeedar
says:
"...last week Apple released a beta of Boot Camp, software that
lets you set up your MacTel machine to boot Windows if you want.
(You have to have your own copy of Windows XP, of course. Apple
does not provide that.) Most significantly, Boot Camp will be part
of the next release of Mac OS X!...
"This is a huge event. I doubt most
people realize the significance of this move. It's genius. This is
the dawn of a new era. That is not overemphasizing the situation in
the least.
"It is my belief that the whole Apple-IBM/Motorola fallout was a
smokescreen. This - being able to run Windows natively on Apple
hardware - is what Steve Jobs really wanted."
Link: The
Trojan Plan
'Boot Camp, Itself, Is Unexciting'
Robert X. Cringely in the New York Times says:
"Hell froze over this week as Apple Computer unveiled Boot Camp,
a free program that will allow its new Macintosh computers with
Intel microprocessors to run Microsoft's Windows XP operating
system as an alternative to Apple's OS X. The news media were
agog and Apple's stock price zoomed at the announcement. In my
view, it was mildly interesting, but hardly the revolution Apple
users want to see.
"Many Mac enthusiasts view Boot Camp as a huge coup for Apple
that will eventually take the computer hardware leadership away
from Dell and the software leadership away from Microsoft. The more
skeptical warn that Boot Camp shows the final mastery of the Apple
platform by Microsoft. Both positions are absurd.
"Boot Camp, itself, is unexciting. So now you can start your
computer running Windows or OS X - big deal. You can't run
Windows and OS X simultaneously, so you can't cut and paste data
between the two operating systems or even get access to the same
data. For that you'd need a version of the program Virtual PC - a
Microsoft product - redesigned to run on the Intel Mac platform.
(Or, I guess, you could use a program called Parallel Workstation
that allows users to run OS X, Windows the Linux operating
system on the same Intel Mac at the same time, madly cutting and
pasting between all three. Now that's exciting.)
"The real reason people are in a tizzy about this news is that
Mac users love their computers and Windows users, for the most
part, tolerate theirs. So the Mac people think that this Apple
software will demonstrate the inherent superiority of the product
they love and will result in lots of Mac hardware sales to people
who want to continue to use Windows. I don't think so."
Link:
Microsoft's Mac Attack
The Great Windows Rip-off
Gene Steinberg, the Mac Night Owl, writes:
"When a friend asked me to help him install Boot Camp and
Windows XP on his MacBook Pro, I wanted to make sure he understood
that it wasn't going to be cheap. I explained that, unless I spent
a little time shopping around for him, he'd be spending around $200
for the Home edition and another $300 for the Professional edition.
He had to add to that the cost of software to product his computer
from malware, such as viruses and spyware."
Link: The
Great Windows Rip-off
Windows Ups Mac Appeal for PC Buyers
PCAdvisor's Ken Mingis and Linda Rosencrance report:
"Apple's development of software that lets Intel-based Macintosh
systems run Windows XP natively has met with the approval of
several Mac-friendly IT managers. They said last week that Apple's
embrace of Microsoft's operating system should make it easier to
deploy the company's hardware.
"Until now, Mac users who needed to run some Windows
applications had to do so in emulation mode using tools such as
Microsoft's Virtual PC, which exacts a serious performance toll.
But Apple's Boot Camp software, which was released for public beta
testing with little fanfare, enables Windows XP to run on the new
Macs just as it does on desktop and laptop PCs."
Link: Windows
Ups Appeal of Macs for PC Buyers
Windows on Macs May Be Boon for OS X
The New York Times says:
"The prospect of Boot Camp raises two very different scenarios.
Windows users will buy Apple machines to run Windows. Or they may
try out Apple's operating system just for the fun of it and get
hooked.
"Everyone saw it coming. First, Apple chose Intel, synonymous
with Microsoft, to make chips for a new line of personal computers.
Now Apple has announced Boot Camp, a piece of software that will
allow some versions of Windows to run more or less natively on an
Apple machine.
"How you feel about this depends very much on whether you're a
Windows or an Apple person."
Link: Windows on Apple
May Be Boon for OS X
A Corporate View of the Boot Camp
Announcement
The Register's Cormac O'Reilly says:
"As everyone knows, I'm a great fan of Apple Computer.
"In fact, while running the Texas internal consulting office at
Schlumberger in 1984, I bought and evaluated one of the first Apple
Macs and was blown away by its power and simplicity. Instead of
buying my own Mac at that time, I bought Apple stock, the value of
which quickly rose to pay for my own Mac. So armed, and with the
passion of a zealot, I preached the Mac's advantage, spurring their
adoption in Schlumberger and later Shell. ..
"Then I moved to Costain as chief technology officer, which had
fully adopted Windows. Poacher turned gamekeeper! My preaching gave
way to economic and practical necessity - there was just no
compelling (economic or otherwise) reason to disrupt Windows as the
corporate standard - essentially a sensible decision and sound
investment policy. This was especially the case as Apple had become
marginalised....
"By 1995, Windows had matched the original Mac OS features, and
Windows PC prices were markedly lower than those of Apple's. When I
joined Digital Equipment as the Services business CIO, I pushed the
Microsoft message with almost the same passion as I did Apple's
1984 Mac....
"Fast forward to Wang where, as CIO and CTO, and still in the
role of Defender of the Microsoft Faith, I noticed the emerging new
Apple operating system - OS X. Sitting in a local computer shop, I
had a repeat of my 1984 Apple Damascus moment. The elegance and
simplicity of what OS X did was mindblowing....
"Now, I advise companies on technology, and yesterday Apple just
announced a capability to run Windows on its Intel based new
computer models - one of which, being technology self indulgent, I
have. So will I add this free Windows capability to my Mac Book
Pro? No, because I no longer use anything that needs Windows as,
over the years, Apple has done such a great job convincing most
main software companies to successfully write their products for
the OS X to take advantage of its cool features. Would I advise a
wholesale corporate move to Apple - No again."
Link: A
Corporate View of the Boot Camp Announcement
Switching to Windows (on a Mac)
BusinessWeek's Arik Hesseldahl says:
"Apr. 5 was one of those days after which nothing will ever be
the same. That's when Apple Computer released Boot Camp, an
application that lets owners of Intel-based Macs install and boot
their computers to Microsoft's Windows XP. I consider it a
watershed in the history of personal computing....
"I have yet to spend much time interacting with Windows on a
Mac, but I have had a quick look, and the results of this Beta
release are encouraging - if you find using Windows encouraging. A
colleague loaded Boot Camp onto a MacBook Pro. I went over, and
there it was, the familiar green-pasture desktop of Windows XP. On
the system tray, there were all the little advisories emanating in
those irritating yellowish balloons.
"This was Windows all right, with all the annoyances it brings.
As useful as Boot Camp will be - and I do expect to be using it -
running Windows carries inherent weaknesses. I can see it now:
installing all the anti-virus and anti-spyware, and taking all the
other steps associated with preparing a Windows machine for today's
risk-heavy computing world. Make no mistake, Windows on a Mac will
bring a measure of unpleasant baggage."
Link:
Switching to Windows (on a Mac)
Who Will Support Your Graphics Software
Running on Boot Camp?
Publish.com's Stephen Bryant says:
"At first glance, Apple's Boot Camp software seems like a boon
to creative professionals who split their time between PCs and
Macintoshes. Mac users have long waited for the day when
Windows-only applications such as AutoCAD, Microsoft Project and
Microsoft Visio would run on an Apple machine.
"'Those are really the three big applications - well, along with
games - that are missing on the Mac,' said Scott Michaels, director
of professional services for Atimi Software, a cross-platform
development company based in Vancouver, British Columbia.
"But while Apple is explicitly endorsing the use of Windows on
its hardware, the company won't be supporting the software. And it
looks like major creative software vendors, such as Microsoft,
Autodesk and Adobe, don't yet have plans to test their software on
Intel-based Macs running Boot Camp."
Link: Who Will
Support Your Graphics Software Running on Boot Camp?
After Boot Camp, Apple Ready to
Fight
Forbes' Mary Crane reports:
"Apple's move to allow Windows XP to run on Intel-based Mac
computers will expand Mac's market share, according to Piper
Jaffray analyst Gene Munster.
"Boot Camp, unveiled by Apple last Wednesday, 'removes a
significant hurdle that kept many first-time Mac buyers from
switching,' says Munster. The Boot Camp software provides potential
new Mac buyers the safety net they need to make the switch from
PCs."
Link:
After Boot Camp, Apple Ready to Fight
Apple to Ship 'a Windows Mac'
MacFriends' Ben Hampton writes
"Do you ever get the feeling that you've been talking, and
talking, and talking and nobody is really listening. Apple
announced today that the next version of its operating system, Mac
OS X, Leopard, would run Windows natively. This is great news
for those of us who believe the sun rises and sets on Microsoft
Windows."
Link: Apple
to Ship a Windows Mac
Boot Camp to Make Selling Macs
Easier
eWeek' David Morgenstern says:
"With Apple making it possible to boot Windows XP on its new
Intel-based computers, many are talking about running Windows
programs, sharing data between Macs and Windows and better
enterprise acceptance of the Macintosh. Forget about it.
"The release on April 5 of Apple's Boot Camp Assistant isn't
about doing anything useful. Instead, it's all about making Macs
easier to buy (and sell)."
Link: Mac Boot
Camp: Follow the Money
The Real Boot Camp Lesson: Moving Beyond
the OS
eWeek' Eric Lundquist says:
"Now that Apple has rescinded its past distaste of all things
Windows and is allowing the Macintosh to share space (albeit a
walled-off one) with Windows, shouldn't the company just go all the
way?
"All the way would be licensing Dell, HP and Lenovo to run
OS X on the Windows systems leaving their factories.
"Not in a million years, you say? Before I remind you that
Chairman Jobs dismissed the idea of running Windows on his Apple
boxes, I'll say maybe I agree with you, but not for the reasons you
might have thought."
Link: The Real Boot
Camp Lesson: Moving Beyond the OS
The Second Mac Revolution: Multiple
Operating Systems
Gene Steinberg, the Mac Night Owl, writes:
"The front page of a daily newspaper is supposed to contain the
most important events of the day. What's more, when a story is
given that kind of play in the famous newspaper of record, The New
York Times, its importance receives even greater emphasis."
Link: The
Second Mac Revolution: Running Multiple Operating Systems
Windows on Mac: Who Wants It and
Why?
Microsoft Watch's Mary Jo Foley says:
"It wasn't a rhetorical question we posed on April 5, the day
Apple Computer announced it was fielding a first beta of 'Boot
Camp,' software that would allow Intel-based Mac users to dual-boot
Windows XP and Mac OS X. We really wanted to know who out there in
Windows land was interested in Boot Camp and why.
"The idea of dual-booting Windows and the Mac OS sounded rather
kludgey, to this user. As Microsoft Watch readers know, I admire
the Mac OS look and feel. I think Apple hardware is stunning,
compared to my dowdy old ThinkPad. But I am a Windows user, through
and through. I cannot get used to the Mac. I don't need any apps
that run on the Mac only. So I was curious who out there was
willing to put up with the pain of switching between operating
systems in order to run on a spiffier machine."
Link: Windows
on Mac: Who Wants It and Why?
Who Wants Windows XP on a Mac?
Microsoft Watch's Mary Jo Foley says:
"Apple says, due to overwhelming user demand, it is developing
software that will allow customers to dual boot Windows XP and Mac
OS X on Intel-based Macs. Apple rolled out on Wednesday a public
beta version of 'Boot Camp,' which it plans to make a feature of
'Leopard,' the next version of the Mac OS, which Apple will show
off this August. We're curious, though: Who out there really wants
to run Windows on a Mac? Mac users are true believers in the Mac
OS; Windows users might like the prettier hardware, but would that
be enough of a reason to move to a dual boot setup? We want to hear
from Windows users who are interested in moving to Mac hardware.
Are you out there?"
Link: Show
of Hands: Who Wants Windows XP on a Mac?
Boot Camp: Apple's Enterprise Trojan
Horse?
eWeek' Larry Dignan says:
"The whole idea of booting Windows XP on a Mac may seem
counterintuitive to hardcore Macheads. The reaction goes something
like this: 'Why in the world would anyone want Windows XP anyway
since OS X is so much better?'
"Windows users - including our own Mary Jo Foley - have no
interest in using a Mac. Foley writes on her blog: 'Who out there
really wants to run Windows on a Mac? Mac users are true believers
in the Mac OS; Windows users might like the prettier hardware, but
would that be enough of a reason to move to a dual boot setup?'
"Fair enough on both sides of the Mac-Microsoft aisle, but as
usual the majority is in the middle. And the middle happens to be
running the technology infrastructure for corporations of all
sizes...."
Link: Boot Camp:
Apple's Enterprise Trojan Horse?
Apple Lets Macs Run Windows XP
The BBC reports:
"The software walks users through the installation process Apple
has released software that lets users run Microsoft's operating
system on its computers that use Intel chips.
"Called Boot Camp the program lets Mac owners run both Apple's
OS X and Microsoft's Windows XP.
"A trial version of the software is now available so users can
install it. Future versions of Apple's OS X software will
include the program."
Link: Apple Makes
Macs Run Windows XP
Apple Opens the Door to Windows XP
bizjournals.com says:
"Apple Computer Inc. said Wednesday it has introduced Boot Camp,
a program that will allow Microsoft Corp.'s Windows XP to run on
certain Macintosh computers.
"Customers of Cupertino-based Apple can download the program
immediately. Boot Camp allows users with a Microsoft installation
disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac. 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."
Link: Apple Opens
the Door to Windows XP
Boot Camp Is Here - Intel Macs Now Do
Windows!
Jupiter Research's Michael Gartenberg reports:
"Apple introduced Boot Camp today, a utility that allows for an
easy install of Windows XP onto the new Intel baaed Macs. Released
in beta today, Boot Camp will be a core part of the next release of
OS X, called Leopard.
"What are the implications? Users can now purchse systems
capable of running both Mac OS X and Windows natively. That's
right, no more virtual anything. This solves a lot of potential
holdups to Macintosh adoption. While a group of programmers already
has demonstrated that this is entirely possible to do, that method
for deployment is more of a clever hack that no sane end user would
attempt."
Link:
Boot Camp Is Here - Intel Macs Now Do Windows!
Windows on Mac: What It Means
newsfactor.com's Walaika K. Haskins says:
"Apple's announcement this week that it has developed software
to enable its Intel-based Macintosh computers to run Windows XP has
been widely hailed as a bold move. However, now that the initial
ballyhoo has passed, the question on many minds is what the
long-term implications are.
"The release of the Boot Camp application has raised Apple's
'stock' exponentially, said Mukul Krishna, a Frost & Sullivan
analyst. Krishna's remark can be taken both literally and
figuratively.
"The Boot Camp news immediately raised Apple's profile Wednesday
on the Nasdaq nearly 10 percent, from $61.17 to $67.40. 'Boot Camp
increases our confidence in Apple's ability to grow PC shipments 15
percent to 16 percent per year, beyond the Intel transition,'
Richard Gardner, a Citigroup analyst who has a 'buy' rating on the
stock, wrote in a note to the Associated Press.
"According to industry experts, the increased confidence in
Apple exhibited by the denizens of Wall Street is the financial
manifestation of how both Mac and Windows users will respond to the
news.
"However, said Frost & Sullivan's Krishna, the ability for
Intel-based Macs to run both Mac OS X and Windows XP could
take years rather than days to have a measurable impact on Apple's
hardware sales. But it will happen, he said, and without a backlash
from Apple users."
Link: Windows on Mac:
What It Means
Macintosh Marries Windows
Cyber India Online Ltd's Duncan Martell says:
"Apple Computer Inc., the maker of the Macintosh computer and
iPod music player, on Wednesday rolled out a first-ever software
patch to run Microsoft's dominant Windows operating system on its
PCs, a move that could draw millions of new buyers.
"Apple shares surged 9 percent on Nasdaq, where it was the
second most active issue. The move could also effectively bring to
a close a decades-long rivalry between Apple and Microsoft over
their respective operating systems.
"By allowing Macs to run Microsoft Corp.'s Windows, the
operating system found on more than 90 percent of the world's
personal computers, Apple could woo people who want Macs, which are
considered by many as easier to use and more stylish, but prefer
the Windows operating system."
Link: Macintosh
Marries Windows
Apple Sends Mac to Windows Boot
Camp
eWeek' John G. Spooner writes:
"Apple is opening some Windows. The computer maker has begun
offering software that will allow its latest Macs to run
Microsoft's Windows XP, in addition to the Apple Mac OS X.
"Apple on April 5 began offering a public beta of Boot Camp,
software that allows Intel-processor Macs-which now include the
iMac and Mac Mini desktops and MacBook Pro notebook-to boot either
Mac OS X or Windows XP. After installing Windows XP via Boot
Camp, users can select which operating systems they'd like to run
at startup."
Link: Apple Sends
Mac to Windows Boot Camp
Apple Offers New Base Camp to Wary
Technology Climbers
eWeek' Peter Coffee says:
"If you Google 'Boot Camp' on the Web, you'll get stories about
troubled teenagers, and the controversy over programs that try to
straighten them out. If you enter that same phrase this morning on
Google News, you'll get stories about Apple Computer - which at 30
years old should be well past its adolescent angst, but not yet
into its mid-life crisis. Here we are, though, with Apple confused
about its destiny in 'wares both hard and soft.
"The surprising thing is that anyone finds it, ummm, surprising
for Apple to open the door to running Windows on its machines. Over
at Inside Mac Games, they're calling this 'a stunning turn of
events.' It's hardly that.
"We've had years to get used to the idea of running Windows on
Apple hardware. I don't mean in principle, I mean in practice: I
can plug a USB device that only has Windows drivers into my G4
PowerBook, fire up Virtual PC, and let the electrons drill through
the Apple's peel to emerge in a Win2k session that uses that device
with no problems. Virtual PC even offers me the option of
full-session disk-image Undo when I'm done, and wouldn't it be nice
if a Plain Old Windows machine could do that?"
Link:
Apple Offers New Base Camp to Wary Technology Climbers
Boot Camp Reviews
Boot Camp a Smooth Install
eWeek's Jason Brooks says:
"Apple strengthened the case for Mac Intel users switching from
OS X to Windows XP, at least some of the time, with the release of
an initial beta of Boot Camp. During eWEEK Labs' tests, the beta
software guided us smoothly through the process of turning an
Intel-powered Mac mini into a dual-boot Windows XP SP2/ OS X 10.4.6
box.
"We were impressed by how well the process went: In our previous
experience with dual-booting systems - such as with Windows and
BeOS or Windows and Linux - we've found serious potential for
system breakage."
Link: First Review
of Apple's Boot Camp
Boot Camp Passes Muster in Speed
Tests
CNET News.com's Tom Krazit reports:
"Apple hardware is just as good at running Windows as any other
x86 system, tests confirm
"Despite Apple's historic disdain for Microsoft's Windows
operating system, Apple's Boot Camp software lets Windows
applications run just as well on a Mac as they do on a PC,
performance tests confirm.
"According to tests carried out by CNET product reviewers, a
MacBook Pro and iMac running Intel's Core Duo processor and Windows
XP delivers equal performance to similarly configured PCs designed
to run Windows. On Wednesday, Apple released a beta version of Boot
Camp, an application that lets Mac users run the Windows XP
operating system on their Macs."
Link:
Boot Camp Passes Muster in Speed Tests
Thurrott Reviews Boot Camp
winsupersite.com's Paul Thurrott reports:
"Apple's decision to move its Macintosh computing platform to
Intel processors has opened up a world of possibilities, none more
obvious than the release this week of a beta software wizard called
Boot Camp. This elegant little application allows Intel-based Mac
users to repartition their hard drive, install Windows XP, and dual
boot between XP and Mac OS X 10.4 'Tiger' . A future version
of Boot Camp will be included with Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard,'
due in late 2007. That version, presumably, will support Windows
Vista as well....
"On Wednesday, April 6, 2006, Apple announced Boot Camp. It is
their solution for dual booting between Windows and Mac
OS X.
"One might wonder why Apple would create such a thing. After
all, with barely 2 percent of the market for computer operating
systems, should Apple be trying to win market share for Mac
OS X and not offer a way for Mac users to run Windows? Not
exactly. Unlike Microsoft, Apple doesn't actually make a lot of
money directly from sales of its OS. Instead, Apple makes most of
its money - even now, in the heady days of iPod supremacy - by
selling computer hardware. So one might think of Boot Camp as a
win-win. Apple wins because a much wider audience of users can now
consider its Mac systems, secure in the knowledge that they can run
Windows if they want to. Microsoft wins because these users will
still be using - and paying for - Windows. And best of all, we as
users win, too, because now we can have the best of both worlds:
the elegance of Apple hardware coupled with Windows, the operating
system that runs all those applications we want to run...."
While Boot Camp isn't perfect, it's still a semi-miraculous
solution that lets you dual boot between Mac OS X and Windows
XP on an Intel-based Mac. That, folks, is what's known as the best
of both worlds in these parts...."
Link: Apple
Boot Camp Review
A MacBook Pro Heads to Boot Camp
Computerworld's Ken Mingis says:
"There's something a bit disconcerting about the idea of a
full-blown installation of Windows XP on a Macintosh. Even
installing XP by way of Virtual PC for Mac seemed somehow like
cheating on Mac OS X, but since it was emulation software and
bug-ugly slow, it was more like an operating system dalliance than
a real affair.
"And it did nothing for efforts to convince wannabe Mac users
who on occasion really need to run a Windows app or two that
anything from Apple Computer was a viable alternative to their
trusty work-issued Dell or HP laptop.
"Those days are over. Done. Finis....
"Before I get into details about the installation of Boot Camp
and XP, I have to say that I don't really know how Apple's decision
will shake up the world of computing, both at home and at work.
There are Mac fans who'll see this all as some kind of horrible
abomination. There are Windows backers who'll never buy what they
see as overpriced hardware from Apple that caters to snobs.
(Checked out operating system-focused message boards this week? The
flames are already under way."
Link:
Hands on: A MacBook Pro Heads to Boot Camp
Installing Windows XP on Our Intel
iMac
O'Reilly.net's Oliver Breidenbach says:
"As you've probably heard about now, Apple has made a cool piece
of software available called 'Boot Camp'. Of course I had to sit
down and try it out immediately. This is what I find.
"Here is something that is probably alien to you unless you are
a Mac OS X Server administrator: You'll have to read the
documentation. Really. Thankfully, Apple managed to compress it to
a mere 16 pages of which a couple are the front page, index, and
back page. So it is not overly much."
Link:
Installing Windows XP on Our Intel iMac
The Macintel Transition
Take the No Windows-Booting Pledge
AppleMatters' Hadley Stern says:
"Mac users have a lot of strange habits. We are known to have
rituals when we unpack our latest machines. We will argue
passionatelyabout the virtue of one menu bar item (over whether
even using menu bar items is mac like) over another for hours on
end. And yes, we will even create websites dedicated to discussing
the minutia of the Apple experience.
"But perhaps the biggest way that we define ourselves is in what
we are not (Beeblebrox, affectionally, is not included in this
generalization). We are not Windows users. Adamantly NOT.
Everything that Windows represents, bloat-ware, an inconsistent
user experience, an unrefined UI is what we Mac users are not.
"Which is why the latest obsession to hit the Mac community is
one that I find so odd. That being booting Windows natively....
"If OS X is so darn freakin' good why do people want Windows on
their Mac. Buy a Dell, at least its ugliness will match the
ugliness of Windows. Virtual PC was already enough of a weird
thing, but booting Windows on a Mac? Sacrilege, I say."
Link:
Take the No Windows-Booting Pledge
Top Reasons to Run Windows on a Mac
. . . or Not!
PCWorld's Harry McCracken says:
"Enough with the hoopla about Apple's Boot Camp, and today's
news about Parallels' Intel Mac virtualization software. The
question remains: Why put Windows on a Mac? Here are five
common-sense reasons why a rational person might want to go for it
- and five equally sensible reasons not to.
"First, scenarios when it may make sense:
- You want to develop a dual-OS personality.
- You like cool hardware.
- You're a businessperson, a gamer...or both.
- You're a Mac fan who can't wait for new Mac apps.
- You hate the iPod.
"On the other hand, there are plenty of reasons not to rush out
and buy an Intel Mac and a copy of Windows XP to install on it.
Such as...
- It's not for cheapskates.
- It's not the real Mac experience.
- The hardware pickings are slim.
- It doesn't make Windows any better.
- You like to build your own computers."
Link: Top Reasons
to Run Windows on a Mac . . . or Not!
Boot Camp? Who Cares? The Real News
Story Concerns Linux
AppleMatters' James R. Stoup says:
"Maybe you missed it. If so, I understand. This was a tough week
to be a Mac user. Due to recent events many of us are alternatively
howling in dismay and chortling with joy. As a result we have
temporarily lost our minds. Don't worry, we should all be ok by
Monday. However, while the world was stunned by this little
surprise from Cupertino they managed to miss a much bigger story.
Maybe you heard about it?
"No?
"Well, truth be told I am not surprised. It is difficult to
concentrate on other tech news when Apple unveils some shiny new
toy. But for those of you who didn't get the memo let me clue you
in to an interesting
news piece concerning Linux.
"If you followed that link and perused the story you would now
know that the Portland Project is nearing completion. Why is this
such an important event? Well, because the Portland Project will
finally allow KDE and Gnome to play nice with each other. For those
of you who don't use Linux, KDE and Gnome are the two most popular
desktop environments in the Linux world, and for years the two have
been bitter rivals. Each group has its own die hard fans who, of
course, are convinced that "their" system is the best. The main
casualty of this stubbornness to work together has been the end
users who have fought with interoperability issues for years.
"But now, suddenly thanks to the Portland project, an
application built for Gnome will be able to run in KDE as well. No
performance lag, no dependency problems and (hopefully) no hassle
for the end user. Ladies and gentlemen, you are witnessing the
first step towards a unified Linux operating system. This means
that in a couple of years Linux could be a much different beast
than it is today."
Link:
Boot Camp? Who Cares? The Real News Story Concerns Linux
The Motley Fool: Apple 'May Be the
Next Dell'
MacDailyNews says:
"'How do we value Apple's stock now [that Boot Camp has been
released]? To answer, we'll need to dig into Apple's strategy. I've
got my own opinions on that, but I'll first give the floor to an
old friend of mine, Rich Levin, a former InformationWeek editor and
host of a national radio show covering tech topics. We've debated
this and that about the Mac for what seems like just short of
forever,' Tim Beyers writes for The Motley Fool. 'This time,
however, I think he's spot-on:'
"'It's the first EFFECTIVE strike at Dell. It's also a strike at
Microsoft, and uses its own OS against them. And it's a dual-edged
'Win' [sic] for Microsoft . . . Every Windows user will
consider a Mac if Apple prices them competitively, and continues to
produce computers that have style, superior engineering, and better
quality overall in a world of commodity tin-box PCs . . .
Flip side: Apple's strike at Dell and Microsoft will not be
maximally effective unless users don't encounter limitations. They
have to embrace Windows hardware, games, etc.'"
Link: The
Motley Fool: Apple 'May Be the Next Dell'
Tech Tips and Info
Boot Camp Requirements, Installation,
and Frequently Asked Questions
A new Apple Knowledge Base article says:
"Boot Camp Beta lets you install Microsoft Windows XP Home
Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2, or later, on an
Intel-based Macintosh computer, in addition to an existing Mac OS X
installation. After running Boot Camp Beta and installing Windows
XP, you can switch between Windows XP and Mac OS X by holding
Option (Alt) key when you start up. You can also use the Startup
Disk control panel in Windows or Mac OS X Startup Disk preferences
to set the default operating system to use each time the computer
starts up.
"The Boot Camp Assistant Beta creates a partition just for
Windows XP without erasing your existing Mac OS X information. Boot
Camp Assistant Beta also burns a CD with drivers for Windows XP so
you can use your Mac's built-in graphics, USB, audio, Bluetooth,
Ethernet, AirPort, and more. The drivers are automatically
installed when you insert the disc into your Macintosh after you
install Windows XP.
"Requirements
"To use Boot Camp Beta, you need:
- An Intel-based Macintosh computer with a built-in or USB
keyboard and a built-in trackpad or USB mouse
- Mac OS X 10.4.6 or later
- The latest firmware update available for your Intel-based
Mac
- At least 10 GB of free space on your startup disk (single
partition)
- A full, single-disc version of Windows XP Home Edition or
Professional with Service Pack 2 or later
"Important: Your Windows XP installation disc must include
Service Pack 2 (SP2). You cannot install an earlier version of
Windows and upgrade it to Windows XP, nor install an earlier
version of Windows XP and update it with SP2 later. See below for
more information.
"Note: Boot Camp Beta does not include Windows XP. You must
provide your own, properly licensed,Windows XP Service Pack 2
installation disc.
- Boot Camp Assistant (will be installed in
/Applications/Utilities/)
- A blank, recordable disc (to create the Macintosh Drivers
CD)
"Other topics covered:
- Before installing Boot Camp Beta
- Installation
- Frequently asked questions: Installation and partitioning
- Frequently asked questions: Starting up
- Frequently asked questions: Drivers, Macintosh features within
Windows XP, other
- Frequently asked questions: MacBook Pro-specific questions
- Frequently asked questions: Mac mini-specific questions"
Link: Boot Camp
Beta: Requirements, Installation, and Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
Development Support for Intel-based
Macs
PR: The Intel Software Network is your doorway to a broad
range of programs, products, resources, and content available to
the software community. It's free and easy to become a
member, so join today!
Apple has introduced a new generation of Macs* based on Intel
processors. The new Apple iMac and MacBook Pro products take
advantage of the Intel Core Duo Processor.
Intel Core Duo Processor
The ground-breaking design of Intel Core Duo processors brings
new levels of PC performance, energy efficiency, and the potential
for new and innovative consumer-friendly designs. Its dual-core
technology rewrites the rules of computing, and delivers optimized
power-efficiency: breakthrough performance with amazingly low power
consumption.r.
Intel Compilers and Libraries help software developers deliver
improved performance for their applications running on the new
Apple iMac and MacBook Pro platforms based on Intel processors.
These products provide a fast and easy way to get maximum
application performance and integrate with the Xcode* development
environment.
Intel Fortran Compiler for Mac OS
This compiler provides a fast and easy way to get maximum
application performance for compute-intensive applications. This
compiler supports OpenMP* and auto-parallelism to take advantage of
performance features available in Intel Multi-Core processors.
Intel C++ Compiler for Mac OS
This highly optimized compiler handles the most demanding
applications. Intel augments the compiler with advanced support for
threading through OpenMP* and auto-parallelism capabilities.
Intel Math Kernel Library for Mac OS
This library is a set of highly optimized, thread-safe,
mathematical functions that reduces the need for hand-coding and
allows developers to achieve outstanding performance for
engineering, scientific, and financial applications.
Intel Integrated Performance Primitives for Mac OS
This library set enables software developers to achieve maximum
application performance and reduce development time by providing
highly optimized functions for math, graphics, multimedia, audio,
video, speech, computer vision, image, cryptography, and signal
processing.
Link: Development
Support for Intel-based Macs
