It was only a matter of time after Apple announced their migration to the Intel processor line that someone would get Windows to run natively on a Macintosh. One website even scraped together a $13,000 bounty to the first successful hacker that could pull off the feat.

CRE-Computer & AV Solutions carries several Intel-based Macs and their team of exceptional Technicians joined in the hunt. After a few weeks of trying, they were ecstatic and a bit surprised when College Intern Scotty called everybody in to witness his attempt at immortality. Fortunately, the ever-vigilant IT Services team spotted a copy of Flash For Dummies in the Intern bullpen. Apparently, they were supposed to be the butt of an elaborate practical joke. Needless to say, Scotty spent the rest of the semester sweeping the loose styrofoam peanuts in the packing and shipping department. Every once in a while, they would turn on an industrial fan just to show him that jokes are supposed to funny.

On March 22, 2006, about two months after the contest was launched, two programmers claimed the prize, legitimately. If only they had waited just a few more days. On April 6th, Apple announced their own implementation of Windows on a Mac in the form of a free software download called Boot Camp.

Of course, you could already run Windows on a Mac using Microsoft's Virtual PC software which emulates an Intel-based computer inside your PowerPC Mac. Although it is slow, it does work and that's often just enough to get by for most users.

With Boot Camp, Windows XP runs natively on a new Intel-based Macintosh. To Windows XP, the Mac is no different from a Dell (albeit far more attractive and much better engineered). This means that Windows runs at full speed on a Mac, opening the door to the full complement of software and services available to the Wintel crowd.

To understand the ramifications to computer users and IT departments you have to, ahem, think different. Microsoft makes software. Apple is primarily a hardware company. Despite popular conjecture, they are not necessarily in competition with each other. Microsoft makes money whenever a copy of Windows is sold on a computer. Apple makes money whenever they sell a computer. Microsoft will be happy to sell a copy of Windows to each of the 25 million worldwide Mac users. Apple will be ecstatic to start selling computers to Wintel users.

Apple has historically produced better hardware than Wintel companies. In terms of industrial design and engineering, the Macintosh is several years ahead of the competition. Analysts have consistently stated Apple would consistently win market share with a level playing field. However, the closed nature of the Mac OS made it difficult for Mac users to integrate into corporate America where the bottom line is often more important than quality.

With Boot Camp, Apple has erased the line between Mac and Windows. Now, a Macintosh can compete with a standard Wintel computer and provide a demonstrative advantage for every type of computer user.

Corporate IT departments can now rent just one type of computer for their users. This will ease inventory management, accessories and even technical support. Consumers benefit from getting two machines in one. Graphic departments (long a bastion of Mac support in the corporate world) can now have full access to company networks. Regardless of computer environment at work or school, the future Macintosh owner can handle any situation.

There are some drawbacks to Boot Camp. First, it's still in Beta and there are some major bugs that need to be worked out of the system. To keep up on the status of Boot Camp, CRE's 24/7 Tech Support Team follows the message boards at Macintouch. Another problem is that the computer has to boot into either Windows or Mac OS X. You can't copy and paste between the platforms (there is a solution to this problem discussed below). You also need two separate copies of your software and have to learn two different operating systems. Perhaps the biggest problem that isn't solved by Boot Camp is Moore's Law. You still have to upgrade your computer every 18 months - however a friendly CRE Account Executive will be glad to explain the ROI of renting hardware over purchasing - give CRE - Computer & AV Solutions a call at (877) 266-7725 to learn more.

On the forefront of technology is a new method called Virtualization. The leading product in this burgeoning field is Parallels Workstation software. Virtualization enables the computer to run multiple operating systems simultaneously off the same Intel processor. Unlike Virtual PC, which through software creates an emulated Intel processer, Parallels actually makes the processor run both operating systems at the same time. This opens the door to full inter-operability between the platforms with a minimal performance hit. This is the product to watch and you know that your partner in technology management, CRE - Computer & AV Solutions, will help keep you up-to-date.

This article is provided courtesy of ComputerRentals.com. Founded in 1980 in Los Angeles, California, CRE-Computer & AV Solutions is a nationwide leader of computer and laptop rentals, audiovisual rentals, plasma rentals and more for corporate and special events with services throughout the U.S. and Canada.

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