For mainstream computer users doing typical tasks, AppleComputer's Macintosh models have huge advantages over the prevalentWindows computers from companies such as Dell and Hewlett-Packard.The Macs have sleeker hardware designs, a superior operating system,much better built-in software and virtually no exposure to virusesand spyware. Apple's flagship model, the iMac, is the best consumerdesktop on the market.
But, there's a big barrier for Windows users tempted to switch tothe Mac: software. While there are thousands of programs for theMac's operating system, called OS X, potential Mac buyers often findthey have one or two Windows programs they must use that have no Macequivalent. These range from custom software required by theiremployers, to niche programs for specific industries or hobbies, togames.
On Wednesday, Apple took a historic, and potentially huge, step toremove that obstacle to switching. It introduced free software thatmakes it easy to install and run Windows on the latest Mac models asa complement to the Mac operating system. With this new software,called Boot Camp, you can turn your Mac into a fast, full-fledgedWindows computer for those occasions when you must run a Windowsprogram. That makes the iMac, the Mac Mini and the MacBook Pro laptopthe only computers in the world that allow mainstream users to runboth operating systems at full speed.
I've been testing Windows on a new iMac for several days andexcept for a couple of trifling annoyances, it runs perfectly, justlike a stand-alone Windows PC. I was able to install Boot Camp andWindows XP Pro on the Mac in under an hour. After that, I installed15 Windows programs, most unavailable in Mac versions, and all ranproperly.
In Windows mode, the iMac was blazingly fast -- far faster than mytwo-year-old HP Windows computer. And every function of Windows Itested, including Web browsing, e-mail and music playback, ranflawlessly.
In fact, I wrote this column in Windows on the iMac, using theWindows version of Microsoft Word. And I e-mailed it to my editorsusing Outlook Express, the built-in e-mail program in Windows. When Iwas done using Windows, I just restarted the Mac and the machineturned back into a regular Macintosh, running the Mac operatingsystem and Mac software.
Boot Camp (downloadable at www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp) allowsyou to start the Mac in either operating system. You can designatewhich one gets loaded when the machine boots up. Or, by simplyholding down the Option (or Alt) key while starting or restarting thecomputer, you get a screen showing icons for the two operatingsystems. Click on the Mac icon and the machine runs the Mac OS. Clickon the Windows icon and it runs Windows.
Split screens
Each operating system gets its own dedicated portion, or"partition," of the Mac's hard disk, so they don't interfere with oneanother. Programs you install in each operating system, and files youcreate with them, are stored in the part of the hard disk devoted tothat operating system.
All of this is possible because the latest Macs use the same Intelchips as Windows machines. Boot Camp runs only on these new Intel-based Macs, which have been available since January.
Older Macs can also run Windows, in a fashion, but only via aclumsy Microsoft program that creates a painfully slow "virtual"Windows computer that can't handle some demanding programs, likegames. By contrast, with Boot Camp, the new Intel-based Macs canbecome true, fast, full-fledged Windows computers that areessentially identical to standard Windows computers, yet still retainthe ability to operate as normal Macs.
Apple says it won't sell, preinstall, or support Windows. In fact,while Boot Camp is free Apple software, anyone using it must supplyhis own copy of Windows to install. Boot Camp is technically beta, ortest, software. But in my tests, it operated exactly as advertised.It will be built into the next version of the Mac operating system,called Leopard, due early next year.
You must buy your own copy of Windows to install -- a fullversion, not an upgrade, of Windows XP, Home or Pro, with "SP2"included. The Home version costs around $199, the Pro version $299.
You can't run both operating systems at the same time. Switchingbetween the two requires you to restart the Mac; the operating systemyou're not using is shut down. That makes switching a little slow,but it also means that each operating system runs like a separatecomputer, with full control of the hardware. This allows Windows torun at full speed and protects your Mac files from the effects ofWindows viruses.
With Boot Camp, you could choose to run a Mac solely as a Windowsmachine, with good results. But Apple doesn't expect many people todo this. Instead, it assumes Boot Camp users will still use the Macoperating system and Mac software 90 percent of the time, switchinginto Windows mode only to run a few Windows programs.
MORE TO COME
Apple's move is only the first in what probably will be a seriesof new programs that allow the Intel Macs to run Windows. Today, asmall Virginia company called Parallels plans to release a betaversion of its own software to run Windows on an Intel Mac. It'scalled Parallels Workstation for OS X and will cost $49, plus thecost of Windows itself. Unlike Boot Camp, Parallels creates a"virtual machine" that simulates a Windows computer inside the MacOS. I haven't had a chance to test this product, but might do so incoming months.
Last month, two hackers caused a stir by posting online their ownmethod for running Windows on the Intel Macs. But, unlike Boot Camp,it requires technical skills far beyond those of the average user.
Until now, subtle hardware differences between Mac and Windowsmade it impossible to simply buy a copy of Windows and install it ina Mac, even the new models using Intel chips. Apple's Boot Campallows Windows to overcome these hardware differences, and alsoincludes "drivers" -- hardware-enabling programs -- so that Windowscan work smoothly with Apple keyboards, video systems and networkinghardware.
Because the Mac becomes a true Windows computer when in Windowsmode, it is susceptible to all of the viruses and spyware that plagueregular Windows machines, but not Macs running the Mac operatingsystem. While these viruses can't infect the Mac side of the machine,you do have to install antivirus and antispyware programs on theWindows side.
THE DRAWBACKS
So what are the annoyances and caveats about running Windows on aMac with Boot Camp?
You have to reset the clock every time you start Windows. Windowsalso kept asking me to install my printer every time it started, eventhough it was already installed. Apple says it is working on theseissues.
In addition, you must use a wired keyboard and mouse duringinstallation. And the Windows side doesn't work with Apple's iSightcameras and some other peripherals. You also have to adjust to somedifferences in keyboard layout.
Finally, there's one dangerous step in installing Windows. In oneof the screens of the installation disk, where you are asked whichhard-drive partition will be used for Windows, you must select "C."If you choose wrong, you could obliterate your Mac operating system.I recommend downloading and printing out Apple's Boot CampInstallation Guide, which has a picture of this screen.
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