Boot Camp brings XP to a Mac

Apple's testing software creates a two-system boot system quickly and easily.

Windows XP was available on Intel-based Macs, thanks to two new software: Apple's Boot Camp and Parallels Workstation 2.1 from Parallels. Test shows that Boot Camp is suitable for those who like to use OS X but still need to go to Windows to work or play games.

Boot Camp and Parallels Workstation offer 2 different ways to bring Windows to Mac. Apple's utility helps automate the process of creating a dual-boot machine with Windows working in real mode. This function will be integrated in the next version of Mac OS X operating system, Leopard. In contrast, Parallels, a $ 40 download, uses Intel's virtualization technology to run Windows and other operating systems inside OS X.

Testing installing Boot Camp on the iMac shows that the process runs smoothly. The graphics drivers have no problems and the 20 iMac screen responds to the application and game quite well. In the virtual operating system environment, Parallels can't run PC WorldBench 5 or game tests, but it works well.

Works with Boot Camp

The Startup Disk settings page of Boot Camp is where you choose which OS will start by default.

Boot Camp only works with Intel-based Macs, requires the latest Mac OS X OS (10.4.6) and must update the firmware. After the computer has been updated, you can download, install and run Boot Camp Assistant, the program will burn a driver CD for Windows, help you to reinstall the hard drive partition and install Windows XP.

On iMac tested machines, Boot Camp cleverly handles a variety of restart tasks that require Windows XP installation. Once the system is fully configured, you can press and hold the key while booting to select the OS you want to run. Boot Camp also installs a reference page of OS X and an XP Control Panel applet for you to select the default OS. Overall, with Boot Camp, the system works like a real Windows PC in testing basic applications, exactly as you'd expect from a dual-boot machine. The download and installation of Firefox does not occur and iTunes downloads music easily from other computers on the network. Both wired and wireless networks work well. What about the speed of Boot Camp? Very impressive. The hardware of the iMac 20 tested similar to a high-end laptop, the app and game test results were as expected (see table).

In contrast, Parallels is still the same as a virtual operating system. The speed is slower although the environment is almost stable and can run applications that do not require heavy processing capability. This is not a solution for gamers, but for anyone who likes to experience a new feeling with OS X, Parallels may be a good choice.

PC World USA 06/2006