New Apple Intel-based Macs can now run Windows too

Apple calls the technology "Boot Camp" and it's available for download as a public beta. As its name implies, Boot Camp is essentially a boot manager, and allows Mac owners to install Windows XP and choose whether to run OS X or Windows at when the computer starts. It also includes a selection of Windows drivers for common Mac hardware, along with a utility to let you burn a CD to run the installation and partitioning tools.

Boot Camp makes it easy to install Windows software on an Intel-based Mac, and Apple's website offers a step-by-step guide. It also lets users choose to use either Mac OS X operating system, or the Microsoft's Windows when they restart their computer. Users will still need their own copy of XP for this, but it looks like Apple's taken most of the pain out of dual-booting.

The software can be downloaded from Apple's Web site at www.apple.com/ macosx/bootcamp. A final version of the technology will be available as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5 "Leopard."

The concept isn't new. Ever since Apple switched to Intel processors, users have been trying to run Windows in their Macs. Recently, a thirteen-thousand-dollar prize was announced for anyone who can make Windows run on any Intel based Macs. Two hackers calling themselves narf and blanka caused a stir by devising a hack that manages to get Windows XP running on Apple's new hardware. It gained a lot of popularity and the two won the respectable bounty. Apple's more refined version of the same hack followed suit.

"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," Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in a statement. "We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch."

This is indeed good news for both present and potential Mac users. Now that users can use Windows in their Macs too if they really need it, it gives them more confidence about a potential switch from Windows to Macs. Apple's website itself now touts this new feature. Apple already got some rewards out of it. Its share rose 7% in the early markets. With rumours of new 13-inch laptops coming around June, Apple will certainly sell a lot more Macs and gain more market share.

Apple may be trying to break down some of the barriers between Windows and Mac systems, but it's very protective about its Mac OS - keeping its proprietary Mac OS software secured within its own computers. Earlier this year, Apple even sent legal notices to force Web sites to remove links to information on how to hack Mac OS X software so that it runs on non-Apple machines.