Technology Say It Ain't So: Macs Do Windows XP?

[southerndoc]

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I never thought I would utter these words, but Apple has released software that allows Macs to dual-boot Mac OS X and Windows XP.

Running Windows XP natively on a Mac will definitely be faster than the Virtual PC days. I'm sure more people will consider switching to the stylish Macs now that they will also run Windows XP.

Hopefully this will not cause program developers to stop making programs written natively in Mac OS X. I would hate to see Apple become a hardware developer for computers running Windows XP. Apple says it has no plans to do so, but I never thought Apple would switch to Intel CPU's and now allow Windows XP to run on its computers.

I wonder what the future holds? Jobs definitely does some stuff that leaves one guessing.

 

[16846]

I suggest buying Apple stock... Now! (If you haven't already done so)

 

[BACMEDIC]

I never thought I would utter these words, but Apple has released software that allows Macs to dual-boot Mac OS X and Windows XP.

Running Windows XP natively on a Mac will definitely be faster than the Virtual PC days. I'm sure more people will consider switching to the stylish Macs now that they will also run Windows XP.

Hopefully this will not cause program developers to stop making programs written natively in Mac OS X. I would hate to see Apple become a hardware developer for computers running Windows XP. Apple says it has no plans to do so, but I never thought Apple would switch to Intel CPU's and now allow Windows XP to run on its computers.

I wonder what the future holds? Jobs definitely does some stuff that leaves one guessing.

So macs are now using Intel chips, and they are also going to Windows operating system - sounds like a PC to me.

 

[deleted87716]

Hopefully this will not cause program developers to stop making programs written natively in Mac OS X.

I wouldn't worry about that. Nobody buys a Mac so they can run Windows. However, if a Mac user has the need to run the occasional Windows program, and doesn't mind the inconvenience of having to reboot into Windows in order to do it, it might save them from having to buy a second machine.

I think it would be a lot more elegant and useful if Windows ran as an application on the Mac OS desktop (like Virtual PC), or if you could quickly switch between the two environments (similar to Fast User Switching).

 

[southerndoc]

I suggest buying Apple stock... Now! (If you haven't already done so)

Done... bought a long time ago. 🙂

 

[mustangsally65]

I think it will make life more convenient. I'm looking at starting med school in 2007 and schools won't be able to make you have a PC because the software supposedly doesn't work on a Mac. I can get me a Mac and keep it and use it in med school. That's worth it to me. I have never used Virtual PC but I've heard about how slow it is and how you have to have tons of memory just to launch it.

So how do you go about buying Apple stock?

 

[Stroganoff]

I would hate to see Apple become a hardware developer for computers running Windows XP.

You have two wishes remaining.

 

[southerndoc]

You have two wishes remaining.

At least I've made $9/share on my AAPL stock over the past 48 hours. (grin)

 

[Scalpel]

I wouldn't worry about that. Nobody buys a Mac so they can run Windows. However, if a Mac user has the need to run the occasional Windows program, and doesn't mind the inconvenience of having to reboot into Windows in order to do it, it might save them from having to buy a second machine.

I think it would be a lot more elegant and useful if Windows ran as an application on the Mac OS desktop (like Virtual PC), or if you could quickly switch between the two environments (similar to Fast User Switching).

Rumour has it Leopard (OSX.5) will have the latter. Nevertheless, Parallel just released virtualisation which taps into the Core processor's built-in virtualisation feature. What is cool is that you can run that medical app while still in OSX. Check it out here.

 

[deleted87716]

Parallel just released virtualisation which taps into the Core processor's built-in virtualisation feature. What is cool is that you can run that medical app while still in OSX.

Now that's what I'm talking about! 🙂

 

[deleted59964]

I wonder what the future holds?

i think the future holds greater apple market share. here's my 2 pesos.

adobe have said they'll make intel versions of their apps, and given that apple have just created the perfect machine for developers who need to develop cross platform, adobe dev tools on mac will be bigger business than ever.

windows will make an intel version of office. and even if they scrap it 😱 , it doesn't really matter - rosetta can run office fast enough anyway

for games - yeah i reckon mac os native games are gonna be few and far between, so dual boot to windows for your games. the loss of stability doesnt matter that much if all you are doing is fragging and if you buy legit games, spyware and viruses shouldnt be a problem either.

apple will continue to make ilife software that is far superior to microsoft

for the odd app, it'll be handy to use windows. for me that'll be netter, some dodgy software my uni runs, and photoshop till a native version comes out.

my athlon is history. my only problem is the integrated graphics they put in the mini now means i'll need an imac. 😡

 

[ItsGavinC]

So macs are now using Intel chips, and they are also going to Windows operating system - sounds like a PC to me.

Not even close. You now have the choice of using a computer than runs Windows only, or a computer that runs OS X and Windows. Seems like an easy decision.

 

[Stroganoff]

Will PowerMacs switch to Intel? Also, is Boot Camp compatible with Vista?

 

[deleted87716]

Will PowerMacs switch to Intel?

What do you mean? I don't think Apple's used the term "PowerMac" since the 1990's. [Correction: Never mind. 🙄]

Also, is Boot Camp compatible with Vista?

Vista isn't shipping yet, so it's anyone's guess. FWIW, it's been attempted.

 

[southerndoc]

What do you mean? I don't think Apple's used the term "PowerMac" since the 1990's[/URL].

The current top of the line Macs are called "Power Macs."

I've heard rumors that they will switch to Intel chips this fall. Imagine dual dual-core CPU's!

 

[deleted87716]

The current top of the line Macs are called "Power Macs."

Whoops...must've been the lack of a space between the words that threw me. LOL!

The term is doomed anyway, just like "PowerBook." I wonder what they'll call it, the "MacTower Pro?" Dual dual-core CPUs...hmm...the return of the Quadra?

 

[sunny123]

Ha ha!!! that's all I got to say Southerndoc 😉