Windows on Mac: BootCamp vs Parallels Desktop
How to run the 'other' operating system...
2nd August 2006 15:04 GMT
Hats off to Apple, BootCamp is a nicely wrought utility. It's delivered through BootCamp Assistant (BCA), which does its level best to make the Windows XP installation process as smooth as possible. The download incorporates almost all of the drivers you'll need for Apple's hardware, and BCA makes an installer disc for you. Once that's done, the utility dynamically repartitions your hard drive without forcing your Mac OS X partition to be reformatted, saving you (hopefully) from having to back up your data and applications, then reinstalling them again after you're reinstalled Mac OS X. As ever, Apple's UI is simple and easy to grasp: just drag the boundary between the two partitions to set it. As you go, the window always tells you how much free space you have.
If you tire of Windows, BCA will also remove the Windows partition, destroying all your Windows apps and data. Back to the install, once BCA has repartitioned your hard drive, it asks you to insert your Windows XP disc - Home Edition or Professional, but they must both be Service Pack 2 - and then restarts our machine from the CD.
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Apple iMac All-In-One Desktop (3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR2, 1TB, DVD+-RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Snow Leopard, 27" LCD)
Apple 13.3" MacBook Pro Notebook (2.26GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR3, 160GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, 13.3" LCD)
Apple MacBook Notebook (2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR3, 250GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X v10.6 Snow Leopard, 13.3" LCD)
Apple 13.3" MacBook Notebook (2.13GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mobile, 2GB DDR2, 160GB HDD, DVD±RW DL, Mac OS X v10.5 Leopard, 13.3" LCD)
Apple Magic Wireless Laser Mouse (Bluetooth)
