The Précis Boot Camp FAQ

Apple's Boot Camp beta software package (with firmware upgrade) lets you switch between Mac OS X and Windows XP at startup. And don't forget! Parallel's Workstation 2.1 virtualization software lets you run ANY version of Windows SIMULTANEOUSLY at almost full speed.

1. Has Apple gone to the Dark Side?
No. I admit it gives me a queasy feeling but let's remember that Virtual PC has allowed people to load Windows onto their Macs for years. Intel Macs with Boot Camp just make the whole process easier and makes the Windows software perform at much higher speeds.

2. Why, in the name of the Great Gazoo, do I need this?
You don't but some PC owners eyeing Apple's superior hardware might. And, if you have a Windows program that you simply must use, now you don't have to have two computers. Two such uses I can foresee:

• Using a Windows-based accounting package
• Web designers can test work with only one computer

3. So, what do I need?
You need an Intel Mac with Mac OS X 10.4.6 and the Boot Camp firmware upgrade (which is reversable). You will also need a copy of Windows XP that comes with Service Pack 2.
Make sure that you load up Windows Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware software IMMEDIATELY after your Windows install.

4. Do the Mac files and Windows files coexist?
With Boot Camp and a FAT32 partition (limited to 32 GB) your Mac can read and write to the Windows partition. With a NTFS partition your size is not limited but the Mac can only Read files. NTFS also offers better security for the Windows side of things.

5. Why not use Windows all the time then?
Oy Vey ! Do I really have to answer this? If you like the ugliness and the bloat of Windows then fine, but don't forget your built-in iSight camera, Front Row remote control, Apple Wireless (Bluetooth) keyboard and mouse, Apple USB Modem, MacBook Pro's sudden motion sensor, and MacBook Pro's ambient light sensor won't work.

5. Unbelievable, Apple is really selling Windows then?
No. Apple has made a point of stressing that it neither sells, nor supports Microsoft Windows. The Boot Camp software is a beta (pre-release) package and is also not supported in any way. (Apple does provide a utility to reset your Mac's firmware to the original factory spec if you have trouble with the Boot Camp installation).