Apple Releases Boot Camp Beta

[MacRumorsReader]

Well *CLEAN-UP* around here sure is quick.

This whole Boot Camp who-it does provide Apple with some real idea of how important such a feature is to the "community".

talk about hitting a home run with an annoucement...

 

[ariza910]

Apple is NOT supporting WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER!!!!

I guess Apple doesnt want people using MacMinis as Windows Media Centers, that would be perfect....well actualy it would be perfect if Apple got their act together and expanded FrontRow to include some sort of PVR function

Come on Apple stop tying us up with your crappy DRMed video from the iTunes music store.

 

[sethypoo]

This is huge! I am so excited, plus, we'll be able to install Windows Vista (which, strangely, I am looking forward to trying out). I can't wait to get a MacBook Pro with a Merom processor that can dual boot anything!

YES! And Apple stock jumped 9.87% today!

 

[tdar]

Apple is NOT supporting WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER!!!!

I guess Apple doesnt want people using MacMinis as Windows Media Centers, that would be perfect....well actualy it would be perfect if Apple got their act together and expanded FrontTRow to include some sort of PVR function

Come on Apple stop tying us up with your crappy DRMed video from the iTunes music store.

The reason that MCE is not supported is that it comes on 2 Cd's. Given that there is no way to eject the first CD to switch to CD2, you might find a problem during install....
If you were to create a MCE disk on a single DVD...then MCE would work just fine.

 

[macfan881]

The only safe way to run Windows is in the virtual machine. I'll wait for VirtualPC or use Qemu.
On the second thought, there is no safe way to run Windows.

Vlad

umm this is a officall apple product so im sure its totaly safe

 

[me_94501]

os/2

remember that and what killed it?

Why on earth is anyone going to bother porting an app to OSX .

Perhaps Dvorak can see into Steve's brain.

This is from several pages back, so excuse me if it has already been answered.

OS/2 came with the full Windows instruction set.
Boot Camp is simply a way that allows Windows to run side-by-side with OS X.

OS/2 came with the full Windows instruction set.
Boot Camp itself does not come with any Windows instruction set. Therefore Boot Camp by itself can not run Windows apps.

OS/2 came with the full Windows instruction set.
Boot Camp requires that users buy their own copy of Windows XP, which (obviously) has the full Windows instruction set.

In other words, Boot Camp and OS/2's Windows compatibility are not the same thing. Not even close.

 

[nagromme]

I've read in several places that this version of Boot Camp is a trial version with limited time. In no places does it actually say how long the trial is for. Does anybody know?

Apple's not saying. But I suspect it will work until Leopard is out, since Leopard will include the final version of Boot Camp (or whatever name it gets when it leaves beta).

Apple is NOT supporting WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER!!!!

I guess Apple doesnt want people using MacMinis as Windows Media Centers, that would be perfect....well actualy it would be perfect if Apple got their act together and expanded FrontRow to include some sort of PVR function

Come on Apple stop tying us up with your crappy DRMed video from the iTunes music store.

El Gato provides Mac PVR options, in case anyone here is looking into that. (It's not free, but then neither is Media Center.)

Re DRM: it's the content onwers (RIAA, TV networks) who demand that kind of piracy prevention, not Apple. If Apple refused to use DRM, the iTunes Store simply would not have existed. Sadly, honest people like you and I are caught between the greedy content owners and the pirates. (I say greedy because they want too much control--not because people shouldn't be compensated for their creative products.)

 

[weldon]

That's a joke right?! Apple will never sell a version of Windows. Allowing users to boot into Windows is to placate existing users who need to use Windows as well as OS X and as a fail safe for potential switchers, to make them feel more at ease about the purchase of a Mac.

Maybe tongue in cheek, but not a joke. I think sales people in the store will ask for it so they can close deals with people that still need to run a Windows program. Just think how much easier it would be to sell the Mac when you could sell a $50-70 upgrade to Windows with it. Of course, I think the OEM licensing requires the computer maker to provide support, so they might still sell the retail versions.

And thanks to Apple-Alt-Ctr for pointing out that Apple already sells Windows XP in some stores on the shelf next to Virtual PC.

I'm telling you, the real shift here is going to come when Apple Store salespeople starting selling copies of Windows with Macs. It might still be in a separate box, but it's going to happen.

 

[CubaTBird]

ahh jebus.. why are a bunch of mac users happy about this now? eesh! we are mac users for cryin' out loud! lol, nah buts one of those things where 6 mos from now who knows what the implications are going to be. this just further greys the line between what a mac is and a pc.. part of me says ~sigh~ but another part of me says "meh".. think about it, if apples sells there macs with mac os x and the ability to boot into windows do they have to pay any royalties to microsoft? its like free advertising to microsoft.. plus whats a average users incentive to use mac os x if they can put xp on the mac and that is something they are familiar with....

 

[ariza910]

The reason that MCE is not supported is that it comes on 2 Cd's. Given that there is no way to eject the first CD to switch to CD2, you might find a problem during install....
If you were to create a MCE disk on a single DVD...then MCE would work just fine.

I dont think MCE would instal, even from a single DVD....

I have no doubt that support for MCE was left out from the BootCamp software capability on purpose so that it would not compete with FrontRow on an Apple machine.

 

[destroyboredom]

From my knowledge Media Center edition has some specific hardware requirements, as far as Tv Tuners and Video Cards go so that may be why it isn't supported at this time.

Apple is NOT supporting WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER!!!!

I guess Apple doesnt want people using MacMinis as Windows Media Centers, that would be perfect....well actualy it would be perfect if Apple got their act together and expanded FrontRow to include some sort of PVR function

Come on Apple stop tying us up with your crappy DRMed video from the iTunes music store.

 

[nagromme]

umm this is a officall apple product so im sure its totaly safe

Even Apple says it's not safe: it's still Windows.

If you run Windows, you can get Windows malware. It's unlikely--BUT POSSIBLE--for a Windows virus to then attack your Mac partition. Two ways:

1. The virus could simply wipe the whole HD. No need for it to understand HFS partitions for that. Vandalism viruses aren't the norm these days, but they do exist. The possibility is there. (Whereas with virtualization, Windows malware is safely contained within the hardfile.)

2. A virus could include its own software to support HFS, and thus raid your Mac files themselves. That's pretty hypothetical, but it's a way Windows could be used as a back door to attack a Mac, if someone wanted to. (Again, only of you boot Windows: virtualized Windows would keep you safer.)

part of me says ~sigh~ but another part of me says "meh"..

I had that too. And a part of me made a kind of a low grunt, and then there was a kind of a beeping sound, followed by what sounded like a parrot's call. Weird.

Anyway, this IS good news, for multiple reasons:

1. It will sell a lot of Macs, and ultimately win a lot of switchers AWAY from Windows. Which in turn means more and cheaper stuff FOR Macs.

2. And meanwhile, if you HAVE to run Windows for work, or if you have already bought a lot of Windows software, it is now that much easier for you to own a Mac.

 

[weldon]

From my knowledge Media Center edition has some specific hardware requirements, as far as Tv Tuners and Video Cards go so that may be why it isn't supported at this time.

This is false. Windows XP MCE doesn't require tv tuner cards to be installed. While Microsoft's licensing originally required computer makers to include a TV tuner card with systems pre-installed with MCE, this licensing (not technical) requirement has been dropped. MCE will install on pretty much anything that XP will.

 

[tdar]

I dont think MCE would instal, even from a single DVD....

I have no doubt that support for MCE was left out from the BootCamp software capability on purpose so that it would not compete with FrontRow on an Apple machine.

Sure it would...it's just a windows program running on XP pro

 

[shrimpdesign]

Apple is NOT supporting WINDOWS MEDIA CENTER!!!!

I guess Apple doesnt want people using MacMinis as Windows Media Centers, that would be perfect....well actualy it would be perfect if Apple got their act together and expanded FrontRow to include some sort of PVR function

Come on Apple stop tying us up with your crappy DRMed video from the iTunes music store.

I heard that after you update the firmware on the new Intel Macs, it adds the BIOS CSM, I've also heard it reported that you can install anything you want (that uses BIOS, of course) on them after the firmware updates. You'll still have to get the drivers from Boot Camp, but I'm sure it could be done.

http://www.kaintek.com/?p=5

 

[isgoed]

Biggest Trojan since…

[Ironic joke]This is the biggest trojan horse since trojan. The biggets joke is that Apple opened the doors themeselves.[/Ironic joke]

By the way, I just ordered a core duo mini a couple of minutes before I read this. That's gotta be a good sign.

 

[tdar]

This is false. Windows XP MCE doesn't require tv tuner cards to be installed. While Microsoft's licensing originally required computer makers to include a TV tuner card with systems pre-installed with MCE, this licensing (not technical) requirement has been dropped. MCE will install on pretty much anything that XP will.

correct....TV tuners are not required but if you wanted to have one there are several USB tuners that would work just fine.

Video- ATI has a MCE driver for the x1600.....

 

[bense27]

has anybody tried this yet? I am afraid to do the firmware update thing haha

 

[MacRumorsReader]

The writing was on the wall

But we are all shocked aren't we?

But to participate in the tests, Gearlog notes, Apple will have to build support for Windows into Mac hardware.

 

[ariza910]

Apple's not saying. But I suspect it will work until Leopard is out, since Leopard will include the final version of Boot Camp (or whatever name it gets when it leaves beta).



El Gato provides Mac PVR options, in case anyone here is looking into that. (It's not free, but then neither is Media Center.)

Re DRM: it's the content onwers (RIAA, TV networks) who demand that kind of piracy prevention, not Apple. If Apple refused to use DRM, the iTunes Store simply would not have existed. Sadly, honest people like you and I are caught between the greedy content owners and the pirates. (I say greedy because they want too much control--not because people shouldn't be compensated for their creative products.)

Yeah, I use Elgato with EyeTV2, it works great for recording and watching TV if your sitting at your desk. From your couch you have to add Elgatos EyeHome, and it just doenst work well. its slow and, well, I rather use something like FrontRow.

The mention about the DRM video from the iTunes store was less about the DRM and more about the fact that I already pay for cable and should just be able to PVR shows and select them through FrontRow rather than having to buy low resolution copies of the show from Apple. Yeah there’s a place for pay per episode, but if I am already paying for cable TV I don’t want to pay for the same show twice!

 

[funkychunkz]

Anyone notice

Excuse me if this has already stated, but I've noted the tastefully selected verbal attacks on windows at the ide of the bootcamp info page. Here's an exerpt:

EFI and BIOS
Macs use an ultra-modern industry standard technology called EFI to handle booting. Sadly, Windows XP, and even the upcoming Vista, are stuck in the 1980s with old-fashioned BIOS. But with Boot Camp, the Mac can operate smoothly in both centuries.

Word to the Wise
Windows running on a Mac is like Windows running on a PC. That means it’ll be subject to the same attacks that plague the Windows world. So be sure to keep it updated with the latest Microsoft Windows security fixes.

And Also

A printer for the instructions (You’ll want to print them before installing Windows, really.)

Nice one, Apple. In fact- touché!

 

[hoppo99]

Wander along to the Apple store in Regent's Street and you'll see it selling on the shelves boxed with Virtual PC. You could even buy it online at:

http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObj...MVQ013StuBXoQdhHBJi1/1.0.19.1.0.8.25.7.11.3.3

A somewhat facetious point. It was perfectly clear that I was referring to Apple selling Windows natively on Macs rather than as an emulation within the Mac OS.

 

[Sammis89]

I think that this is the begining of the end for alot of PC makers. Once people see that they can do everything on a mac (even Xp), then they're really going to consider it as their next system. Plus, all the press they're going to get over this isn't half bad either...

 

[nagromme]

Yeah, I use Elgato with EyeTV2, it works great for recording and watching TV if your sitting at your desk. From your couch you have to add Elgatos EyeHome, and it just doenst work well. its slow and, well, I rather use something like FrontRow.

The mention about the DRM video from the iTunes store was less about the DRM and more about the fact that I already pay for cable and should just be able to PVR shows and select them through FrontRow rather than having to buy low resolution copies of the show from Apple. Yeah there’s a place for pay per episode, but if I am already paying for cable TV I don’t want to pay for the same show twice!

Yeah, I'd only buy missed episodes from iTunes, as it now stands. (Though that's still nice to be able to do.)

PVR integrated with Front Row would be the ideal. I think there's a near certainty that Apple is considering exactly that.

A Mac-based PVR integrated with Front Row is definitely an option I'd be willing to pay for!

I think that this is the begining of the end for alot of PC makers. Once people see that they can do everything on a mac (even Xp), then they're really going to consider it as their next system. Plus, all the press they're going to get over this isn't half bad either...

PC makers have been having a hard time, and vanishing (or merging) one by one even before this. This will hurt them a little more.

But there will still be lots of market for PCs: Macs won't catch on THAT quickly, and trusted PC brand names still hold weight. Plus, PC makers often use cheap components and mediocre industrial design. They can thus offer a lower-end (if failure-prone) alternative to Macs, at a cheaper price. Of course it helps that they don't include a software bundle that can touch iLife.

 

[KindredMAC]

The worse thing that can happen with viruses is that you get a Windows virus on you Dual-Boot Mac and when you go to boot into Windows, the damn thing locks up and you automatically go back to booting into MAC OS X. Then you have to re-install Windows again and just wait for another virus attack.

Boot Camp is THE best Apple software to come out EVER. It is not meant to replace OS X on a Mac. It is meant to get Windows users to buy a Mac and to find out how horrible Windows is compared to OS X and for them to totally abandon Windows all together. When they realize that Windows is more of a hassle than it's worth, people will stop booting for everything and either use the Mac version of an app or if that's not available only boot into Windows to use that one or two apps and boot right back into Mac OS X.

This is perfect for people like my mother who has an HP and eMac. She will not give up her HP because of som POS PC apps that aren't ported to the Mac. Now when she updates her eMac to a Mac mini she can put Windows on with those POS apps and get rid of the HP.