Apple Re-Boots Its Windows Strategy

June 15, 2011 admin News

If you can’t beat them, join ’em, the old saying goes. In early April 2006 it could go down in history that Apple announced that its Boot Camp beta software was made available for free download. The application allows Apple users to load Windows XP onto any Intel-based Mac, and then choose to reboot the system either into Windows or OS X. Is it a sign that Apple is ready to “join” Microsoft?

Not really, say Apple reps and outside tech pundits. In no way shape or form is Apple taking the path of supplication to Bill Gates and company, and in no way shape or form is Apple looking to sell or support Windows products. Instead, Boot Camp is really just a marketing maneuver for Apple.

The hip alternative computer maker has long been trying to get Windows-based PC users to make the “switch” to Apple. What’s been the main hindrance? Many Windows users don’t want to leave behind Windows-based applications that before did not run on Macs. Now that the Windows OS can run on Apple notebooks, though, these reluctant souls can have the best of both worlds-the use of their old favorite Windows-based apps on a slick cool Mac (with OS X waiting to be used for Mac apps like the iLife suite).

And you know what they say: once you go Mac, you don’t go back.

Using Boot Camp is as easy as visiting Apple.com and downloading it. (It will soon be available as well in the newest OS X 10.5 Leopard version.)

All Apple users need is a Mac with an Intel processor inside and Mac OS X version 10.4.6 or higher, along with 10 GB of free hard drive space and the latest firmware update. Of course, don’t forget a single-disk version of Windows XP Home or Professional editions with Service Pack 2 or later. Also remember to keep your copy of XP updated with the latest security patches, to avoid worms, viruses and trojans targeting Bill Gate’s flag ship operating system.