Apple introduced public beta software last week that allows Intel-based Macs to run Windows XP.
Boot Camp, available as a download at Apple’s Web site, lets users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac. When installation is complete, users can restart their computer to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP. It is preview software licensed for use on a trial basis for a limited time, according to the company. The final version of Boot Camp is scheduled to be available as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5 Leopard.
“Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple’s superior hardware now that we use Intel processors,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s worldwide product marketing senior VP, in a release.
