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Posted on 04/05/2006 8:15:14 AM PDT by Swordmaker
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. (NasdaqNM:AAPL - News), the maker of the Macintosh computer and iPod music device, on Wednesday rolled out a first-ever software patch to run Microsoft's dominant Windows operating system on its PCs, a move that could draw millions of new buyers.
By enabling the move to Windows, the world's No. 1 operating system, Apple hopes to draw people who want Macs, considered by many as easier to use and more stylish, but prefer the Windows operating system.
Apple shares rose 5.7 percent in early trade on Nasdaq.
Apple said the "Boot Camp" software, available immediately as a download, enables Macs powered by Intel Corp. (NasdaqNM:INTC - News) chips to run either Windows XP or Apple's Mac OS operating system software.
Apple's rivals Dell Inc. (NasdaqNM:DELL - News) and Hewlett-Packard Co. (NYSE:HPQ - News) primarily use Microsoft Corp.'s (NasdaqNM:MSFT - News) Windows software.
"We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing, in a statement."
In addition, with the patch, Macintosh users will now likely be able to run some games and other software on their Mac OS X computers without buying a separate Windows based computer.
The final version of Boot Camp will be available as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5 "Leopard" personal computer. Apple said it will not provide support for installing or running Boot Camp and does not sell or support Microsoft Windows software.
Cupertino, California-based Apple said last June it would shift to microprocessors made by Intel, the world's biggest chipmaker, from those made by International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM - News). It plans to move its entire Macintosh line to Intel chips by the end of 2007.
The stock was up $3.48 to $64.65 on Nasdaq.
If you want on or off the Mac Ping List, Freepmail me.
Thanks for the heads up...
So what is the big difference to a user, between a Mac running Windows OS and a PC running Windows OS?
Looks like Apple is much more interested in trying things to grow their hardware business versus their software business with this move.
If I were Jobs I'd be trying both, because there's probably a lot more people willing to plunk down a couple hundred to dual boot than there are those willing to plunk down a couple thousand.
Microsoft still gets their money so why would they care? This actually opens up a new market opportunity for them.
If you're going to say it makes it easier for people to switch, I don't see that since dual booting is not a normal user process, usually only geeks do that.
This is more for those that want to run games and other software that isn't available for Mac, so chances of them completely switching is low.
Apple generally ships better hardware.
Could be, I don't know. Haven't used a Mac in years. I was mostly responding to the article mentioning that Apples are considered simpler to use than Windows OS.
The ability to switch between Mac's OS and Microsoft's xP, depending on the need, would be deucedly cool!
Yes, it would.
You pay more for the privilege....and the honor....
This is probably the coolest thing to happen since they came out with the Atari ST emulator for Windows. Now Mac users will finally be able to run Atari ST programs.
APPL is up $4.94 at this time...
This is real wrath of God stuff. Dogs and cats living together....
It will allow Mac users to run Windows games, but Apple is targeting Boot Camp to both professional and home users. The top story at the Wall Street Journal web site right now is an interview with Apple's VP Phil Schiller -
"Running Windows on a Mac could appeal to professional users who want to purchase Macs for their homes but don't because they need to run a corporate application that operates only on Windows, he said. Then there are consumers who are interested in Macs "but want the safety net of, 'If it doesn't work out I can run Windows,'" Mr. Schiller said.
This is a brilliant strategy for Apple to win customers who want to try a Mac while preserving their investment in Windows software. Those folks can eventually dump Microsoft products after a gradual transition to the superior Mac OS X system.
83 megabyte download. Sounds fun.
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