Apple: Windows XP to run on Mac

Apple has released beta software that lets people run Windows XP on Intel-based Macs.

Called Boot Camp, the software lets people with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac. Once installation is complete, users can restart their computer to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP.

According to Apple, Boot Camp will be a feature in “Leopard,” Apple’s next major release of Mac OS X, which will be previewed at Apple’s Worldwide Developer Conference in August.

Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said: “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.

“We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch.”

Boot Camp simplifies Windows installation on an Intel-based Mac by providing a simple graphical step-by-step assistant application to dynamically create a second partition on the hard drive for Windows, to burn a CD with all the necessary Windows drivers, and to install Windows from a Windows XP installation CD. After installation is complete, users can choose to run either Mac OS X or Windows when they restart their computer.

Boot Camp requires an Intel-based Mac with a USB keyboard and mouse, or a built-in keyboard and TrackPad; Mac OS X version 10.4.6 or later; the latest firmware update; at least 10GB of free space on the startup disk; a blank recordable CD or DVD; and single-disc version of Windows XP Home Edition or Professional with Service Pack 2 or later.

http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp