Apple Releases Boot Camp Beta

[aquafina]

Step 5

1. Apple switches to Intel CPUs
2. Apple allows dual-booting instead of adding some kind of "Virtual PC" to Leopard
3. Microsoft delays Vista... yet again
4. There's talks about cross-platform Vista/Leopard development tools/APIs/etc

5. ...

6. There's no "Apple Mac OS X Leopard" and no "Microsoft Windows Vista" coming, folks. There's a new Apple-Microsoft product called "Windows Leopard" coming, though.

Yes - in an effort to kill Linux, Bill has signed a deal with Steve: Windows Leopard will be Mac OS X in disguise and will run old Windows apps in Virtual PC (which they already own).

So yes, say good-bye to Mac OS X, in name. But also say good-bye to Windows for real, because only the name will be left.

Note: what you have read may or may not be facts and/or reality. But it's all technically possible. Read it with a 1Kg grain of salt.

Edit: thanks xUKHCx

#5 above is "5. Microsoft buys Apple"

 

[kugino]

sorry if this has been mentioned already...

but it looks like Dvorak's column about macs shipping with windows is not so crazy as we all thought a month ago...of course i don't think macs will ever ship with windows, but...

edit: oops, asphaltproof mentioned it a few posts above.

 

[forumBuddy]

This is great news for us! However, I feel so sorry for all the loyal Mac game Developing and Porting companies - they just lost their market!

MacSoft, Aspyr ... man

 

[tk421]

Dvorak was only partly right!!!
It all makes sense now... Apple is not going to give up its OS: Microsoft will!!! They will make Office and PPC products but give up on the OS because of all the headaches! When Vista is introduced, there will be a big cake rolled out onto the floor of the stage. The lights will dim, a spotlight will shine on the cake. Drumroll... Out leaps a Leopard from the cake and devours Ballmer, signifying the death of all that was wrong with MS. All hail our new Mac Overlords!!!

Are they selling tickets? I'd pay a lot of money to see this!

 

[Seasought]

I'm curious as to whether this is going to be a resource that either a.) Deliberately runs poorly with Windows to slant opinions in favor of OS X or b.) Provides exactly what many Windows-dependent users have wanted - the ability to have the best of both worlds on a Mac.

As a gamer, I think this is great in theory. I'll have to see benchmarks of course. I'm curious about the Dvorak prediction. While I can't stand the bastard, I started thinking more about Jobs' comments in some of his more recent interviews. He had a tired, rather pessimistic outlook on the industry that made me speculate on the concept of Apple selling out to the Window's world.

Conversely, maybe Apple is ready to hit the storm head on. The iPod boom, Intel Macs and now a means of booting XP on a Mac. Maybe they're going after Big Brother once and for all. Interesting times we live in.

 

[MartinAyla]

Doesn't work if you have 2 partitions

Boot Camp doesn't work if you have formatted your drive with 2 partitions

I really regret doing that now.

Any way you can make your 2 partitions into 1 without reinstalling OS X?

Would really like to avoid erasing the whole drive to try Boot Camp.

 

[DeepIn2U]

Well, Apple has just ensured that CS3 and Office do not get ported to x86 OSX at all. Why spend the money? Just release an XP version that the whole world can use. Very bad news indeed.

What would make you or anyone else think this? MS has already officially stated that no more development of Office for OS X since January MacWorld.

By CS3 you mean PhotoShop right? Well there a specific hardware drivers & key software in OS X that the XP Boot camp doesnt support. iSight isnt related but its a key component example of what ISNT gonna work in Boot Camp. Graffiti is another OS X technology that some of us use in OS X that many Windows Tablet users have an idea of what is possible in Office. Boot Camp will not support Media Center nor I highly doubt that Leopard will support Windows Server 2003; MS will higher assasins for the head of Jobs if Apple did this because it takes aim at MS big time earnings.

I second that Dual Boot shouldnt be how Apple is doing this. I believe that Boot Camp when out of beta will be an emulation "switch user" type of implentation to make it easier to go back to OS X.

Always remember switchers & Mac faithful are the ones whom purchase Macs, NOT the user that is Windows only and wants a new laptop/desktop for Windows only purchases! Many "potential" switchers have hesitated or decided NOT to buy an app because of that one or few critical app or job needed compatibility they need Windows for. As far as windows only users are concerned "they wouldnt buy a house without windows, so why buy a Mac?" Keep this in mind when you comment on this Boot Camp initiative.

 

[Yvan256]

I disagree with this argument, because nothing has really changed. Yesterday, they could just have said "Buy a Windows box!". If you don't like it, support software developers and others who support the OS X platform.

Except than now, the argument is stronger for the people who are telling Mac users to get a Windows box. You won't need twice the desktop room since you keep the computer you already have, and the "get Windows" price is now $200 instead of $400+.

Not counting the 99% of Mac users who are still using a G3/G4/G5 Mac, however.

 

[RichP]

I just completed Windows install using Bootcamp (was using onmac earlier)

It runs VERY well, very fast. Completely Applelike install of windows. All drivers work, including 3D acceleration.

Remember, computers are a tool, not a toy. Some of us need windows on occassion. Deal with it.

I think this Apple release is sort of like apple saying teaching us about safe sex rather than abstinence. They know we are going to run windows, much better we do it safely than ignore the situation.

 

[mBox]

This is great news for us! However, I feel so sorry for all the loyal Mac game Developing and Porting companies - they just lost their market!

MacSoft, Aspyr ... man

it does suck, but just like in real life....adapt or be killed

 

[es2mac]

I've read so many pros and cons about this, I'm starting to think that they will somewhat cancel out. The macs won't change much after all.

By the way Boston is snowing like crazy.

 

[Atlasland]

Amazing news.

Absolutely amazing.

Been waiting for this.

Wasn't sure if it would ever happen.

Brilliant.

 

[milo]

I am new to this. Won't they show on your software update?

No. Firmware has a different install process, you have to download it yourself.

Not to mention that the firmware is only needed for this install, if they put it in software update, it would be delivered for everyone, which would be a bad idea if it's not needed.

Also, why make OS X software / support OS X users if they can be merged with the other 95% of your users?

Because they won't accept being merged. Many users will never install this or pay the $$$ to buy XP. And many users will switch to a competing OSX app if a company drops OSX support.

About Adobe and Office specifically: you don't think Apple has avoided making direct Photoshop and Office competitors because they've agreed not to in exchange for a promise to keep OSX versions of PS and Office coming? If Adobe dumped OSX, Apple just ships a Photoshop killer. If MS dumps OSX, Apple ships an Office killer. And based on what I've seen from Final Cut and other apps, I think they could do it, along with full file compatibility with those other apps. Hell, with all the cash pouring in from mac hardware sales, Apple could BUY Adobe and cancel the windows versions.

 

[Piscinero]

What would make you or anyone else think this? MS has already officially stated that no more development of Office for OS X since January MacWorld.

They didn't say this, actually they said they would be supporting and actively developing Office for OS X for five years. Where did you get that from?

 

[Hibbity]

I was thinking more Rome: Total War and Half-Life 2 anyone

nah son...ski free is where its at, when you win you get eaten by a wolfman, no game has ever topped that

 

[technicolor]

Is it possible to run this off an external drive?

 

[bentoon]

Has it been mentioned,
Vista will not be supported like XP will -
maybe with somekind of emulation, but not "really"

 

[dops7107]

XP Pro 2002 - Can I Turn That Into A Service Pack 2 Version? Or do I need to Buy A SP 2 Version to play Windows on MacIntels?

Yes you can - you need to "streamline" an XP installation disc by effectively combining it with SP2. I forget how to do it exactly, but you need the network SP2 installer (downloadable from Microsoft) - and I expect the instructions for stream lining are there too.

 

[trbgln]

yup, it's real, it's running on a machine in my workplace

Is this for real? Has anyone tried it yet?

I think the "pooping his pants" comment about Michael Dell is just about right.

I want an intel mac now just to try it!

-alywa

Yup, just saw it running, our IT guy installed it on a mac mini.
Seems to work fine!

 

[pdnellius]

Can we see some benchmarks from someone who has tried some games on their Intel Mac? I may buy a new Mac, as the PowerBook G4 isn't cutting it for games. Give us some Half Life 2 numbers or something like that!

 

[MacBoobsPro]

Oh dear!

 

[gauchogolfer]

This is great news for us! However, I feel so sorry for all the loyal Mac game Developing and Porting companies - they just lost their market!

MacSoft, Aspyr ... man

How did they lose their market? If they continue to make good games (the porters will lose out), people will buy them. And, if more people buy Macs because of this OS flexibility, then there are more potential customers out there. Now, they won't just have a captive market share without competition.

Good companies who cater to their customers' needs will flourish in this environment, and others will flounder. Just like before.

 

[Yvan256]

#5 above is "5. Microsoft buys Apple"

Well, if it would keep the Apple team in charge of the OS and software development and put the Microsoft team in charge of marketing only, then it's a good thing (TM).

 

[berkleeboy210]

Ok. First of all I almost fell over when I read this morning. Never thought it would happen, especially directly from Apple.

I already have Windows installed on my MBP, If i download this Beta Software will I get Video Drivers Automatically or will I have to reinstall windows all over?

 

[MacRumorsReader]

Well, when I started reading, it was only 14 pages.

Now, check out all of it's majesty!

Anyway, I'm realitively neutral. I've always thought that the elegance of Apple lied in its software but that Apple was really a hardware company.

So I'm in the wait and see camp... the wait and see "boot"-camp