technical solutions and commentary

With the new Mac computers being changed to the x86 architecture from the RISC based processors, it has enabled Apple computers to dual-boot between Mac OS X and Windows XP. Apple fully supports this configuration with the release of its “Apple Bootcamp” software.

This gives Apple an advantage over traditional Windows OEM’s, since Apple does not license the Mac OS apart from its own proprietary hardware. Almost 10 years ago now, Apple did license Mac OS to OEM’s and allowed ‘Mac Clones’ to be built and sold by licensed OEM’s. Shortly after Steve Jobs returned to Apple in 1997, license agreements with OEM where not renewed. With Windows still being the dominent platform, and being used nearly exclusively in businesses, Apple as created the ability for IT deparments and individual users to consider buying new Apple hardware with Mac OS and Windows XP. That opens a new market for Apple and new possibilities for end users.

Using “Bootcamp” new users can explore the Mac OS and apples simplisitic applications and not give up the investment they have already made in Windows based applications. This also eliminates having to have two physical computers, one Mac and one Windows. This also a win for Microsoft in that they may potentially sell more Windows licenses and get Mac users for comfortable wit the idea of using Windows and Windows applications.

For those Mac users on the older hardware that cannot dualboot between Mac and Windows, or do not want to dualboot with Windows, there is another possiblity of running Windows applications right in the Mac OS. Virtualization software called “WINE” is in development as an Open Source project, and provides the ability to run actual Windows based applications right in the Mac OS X. Being an Open Source project, this application can be downloaded and installed free of charge. However, getting it installed and  operational my require the skills of an advanced Mac user. Another draw back in open source is the limited support of projects such as WINE. There is no support phone number you can call if you run into troubles.

WINE also runs on Linux Operating Systems, of which the WINE project was origionaly created for. This application still seems somewhat “experimental” so be cautious about using it on any production or critical computer platforms which you can not risk data loss.

To find out more about the WINE project, and download the application you can go to the projects website directly at http://www.winehq.com/