Last Summer I had an entire post written about the fact that Apple was going to be using Intel architecture/chipsets in Macs. The whole thing is blockqouted below if you’re the nostalgic type:
So it turns out that early speculation and a few leaked stories are true: going forward, Apple will be building Macs with Intel chips. Steve Jobs made the announcement at today’s WWDC – the annual Apple Developer’s conference.
What does it all mean?
Will I be able to run OS X on my existing PC hardware?
Jason says yes. Others, like Om and Dave say no. I gotta agree with Jason. Someone will make it happen. I want my OS X!Will PPC programs run on the newer Macs?
Sure, with emulation.Will Apple make a dent in Windows market share?
Abso-freakin-lutely! How could they not. The price of Macs will come down with the cheaper hardware and, if a free PC-version of OS X makes it out into the wild, tons of people will become “switchers”.
That was then. This is now.
Instead of going for cheaper hardware overall and looking to concur the Windows world, Apple has embraced dual booting.
What does that mean?
I’m inclined to agree with John Gruber [Via Waxy]:
I.e. anything a regular PC can do a Mac can do, plus a Mac can do something regular PCs can’t: run Mac OS X properly and legitimately.
So why would I buy a new Dell or make my own PC when I could get a cool new computer that will run the coolest OS? (plus all the Windows stuff my wife seems to think I’ll need for interoperability on our home network)
Apple has always been about the hardware. Opening up the Mac to accomodate the PC rather than letting OS X loose to PCs is brilliant. I want a Mac even worse now, and I was convinced of OS X for a while. If I get both OS X and Windows XP in that titanium styling, I’m sold!
Case closed. Boot Camp will be directly responsible for my next computer purchase: A Mac!
Bonus Egghead-y links:
Cinebench 9.5 scores with Win XP (via BootCamp) vs. OS X on MacBook Pro and Intel CPU iMac [Via Blurbomat]
Public Beta Software Enables Intel-based Macs to Run Windows XP
There you have it. Apple is smarter than I am and I’m going to buy their product(s) as a result.
I think this is just a precursor to an Apple OS running Windows application without needing Windows.
Sometime soon, I think Steve will be offering something like, “PaneFree”.
All the benefits of Windows-only programs without the virus/security problems of that OS.
I bet you’re right, Robert.
One more reason to buy a Mac.