[ontos-on]

" Next year, Macs will be able to run Windows too, so there is a lot more versatility in the Mac environment. "

Could you please explain what you mean here. Do you have any reason to believe that when the Intel-based Macs come out in 2006, that there will be an increased ability to run Windows over Virtual PC? ....or are you saying something different, IOW that because Windows is made for Intel based computers and the 2006 Intel Macs would have the same chip, that there will be an new out of the box ability to run Windows based software [or a Windows OS such as XP Professional] ?!

I am a longtime Mac user who needs Windows based software for my law office and therefore have used Dell PCs for this purpose. I am not particularly computer savvy, so if you could keep your response clear and not assume I know more than I do, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[HAL9000]

The forthcoming Intel-based Macs will do a much better job at running Windows than the current method with PowerPC-based Macs running VirtualPC. Windows will run much faster on the Intel native hardware, instead of doing emulation like VirtualPC does.

Apple will not ship Macs with Windows preinstalled - but they will not prevent you from purchasing a copy of Windows and installing it alongside Mac OS X. You should be able to boot up with either or both operating systems.

More info about Apple's new patent-pending method for hosting multiple operating systems is given here.