Apple Removes the Last Barrier to Switch. Welcome to Boot Camp.

Today, Apple announced new software called Boot Camp that will allow you to install Windows XP on any Intel-based Macintosh. For the time being, Boot Camp is a free public beta and will be included in the next major upgrade to OS X that is expected later this year. The moment so many have waited for is finally here, sort of. Rather than license its OS to PC vendors, Apple has decided to take a different route to protect its hardware sales. So you can have your cake and eat it, just on Apple’s terms.

I’ve never owned or worked on anything other than a Mac and personally have no desire myself to install Windows...of course, once I have an Intel Mac my mind might change. I do think it’s a great move on the part of Apple, though, and this should help increase the number of switchers. Faithful Mac fans were upset over the weekend that Apple did nothing to celebrate its 30th anniversary. I’d say this is a pretty good way to start the next 30 years. With the next major Windows upgrade delayed again until sometime in early 2007 (until they change it again), the release of Boot Camp could end up being a lot of extra money in the bank when the holiday season rolls around.

I can see it now, “Buy a Mac and Windows XP now, get a free upgrade to Vista when it’s released”.