What Is Bootcamp for Mac?
Boot Camp is a free software program that allows users of Intel-based Macs to install and run Windows on their computers. Boot Camp users have the option of booting up in Mac or Windows mode, and are able to switch to the other upon restarting the computer.
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Types
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Boot Camp has undergone several iterations, starting with Boot Camp 1.0.2 Beta for Mac OS X 10.4 up to the more advanced Boot Camp 3.0, available as of November 2009 for OS X 10.6.
Function
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The program runs Windows at native speed, meaning it runs just as quickly on a Mac as it would on a PC with a similarly fast processor. Previous programs that allowed Macs to run Windows incurred some lag.
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Significance
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Being able to run Windows at native speed means Mac users have the ability to run the full gamut of Windows programs, saving them the need to purchase a second computer.
Potential
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Apple has announced it will soon be introducing a version of Boot Camp that is capable of running Windows 7.
Benefits
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According to Walt Mossberg of The Wall Street Journal, Boot Camp especially benefits users who enjoy Mac's sleeker hardware, better operating system and superior built-in software but who want to run one or two programs that are available only for Windows.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Charlie Ambler
