On Apr 6, 2006, at 1:00 AM, <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
I mean, they could market this Windows/OS thing and sell machines with both.
JW writes: That's not going to happen...at least not in the foreseeable future (this according to Microsoft, Apple and Apple pundits).
2. Is/will this be something easy enough to do so that any person could operate and switch between OS and Windows on the Mac? Or, is this just a pitch for the real geeks out there?
JW writes: Yes, this is something that most should be able do on their own...installing the current beta of Boot Camp is a lot more straightforward than the earlier-released, third party solution previously discussed on this list. Further, since this solution comes direct from Apple (as opposed to a third party) one tends to have a bit more faith that future Macs are not going to "break" the solution. This is clearly a move by Apple intended not to increase the Mac's geek appeal but to increase the Mac's mass appeal.
I'm still concerned about all of the security issues with Windows and the idea that I could put Windows on my Mac and screw it up.
JW writes: Most of the Windows security exploits target the OS so booting on a Mac is not going to change the security situation on the Windows side (which certainly *can* be managed with proper care and diligence) or worsen the security situation for the Mac OS. If you have a security-related problem under Windows OS you're not likely going to see the same thing when you boot into the Mac OS (nor is the reverse likely to happen). What's not yet clear to me is how much access one (or an interloper) would have to the Mac file system while booted into Windows or vice versa. I'd guess little or none.
Does anyone see this as a bad move by Apple?
JW writes: I personally don't think this is a bad move. The Mac OS is the real value, not the hardware (I mean this in a low level sense - I agree that Apple's fine industrial design also sells machines)...so I think Apple can afford to do this. It may encourage more people to take a closer look at the Mac OS...particularly those who rely completely on Windows and need time to migrate from one OS to the other (or need/prefer access to both OSen within a single computer).
Joe
