How to Get WindowsXP Running on Your Mac

The dream of running Windows on a MAC is finally here. You can now get the simplicity and elegance of Apple hardware and the MAC OS and have WindowsXP too. There are two ways to get Windows running on your new Apple Mac with Intel Core 2 Duo processor; 1) You can use Apple's Bootcamp software or 2) Parallels, Inc.'s Parallels Desktop for Mac software.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Intel Core 2 Duo processor based Apple Macintosh computer (desktop or laptop)
• Apple's Bootcamp software
• Parallels Inc. Parallels Desktop for Mac software
• Windows 98, XP or Vista
• Windows applications that you would like to use - MS Office, Internet Explorer, MS Visio.
• Patience
• A tech friend you can call when you get frustrated

1. 

   Get a new Apple Mac with Intel Core 2 Duo processor.

2. Download Apple's Bootcamp public beta here http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/. The Bootcamp software allows you to run WindowsXP on your Inteal Core 2 Duo powered Mac. Switching between the two operating systems will require you to reboot the computer. You cannot have both OS's running at the same time.

3. 

   If you would like to run both OS's at the same time and not have to reboot to use one or the other than you need to purchase Parellels Desktop for Mac from Parallels, Inc. This program allows you to run WindowsXP and Mac OS at the same time. The software costs $79.99. For more infomration you can go here http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/

4. Follow the installation guide and on screen instructions for either Bootcamp or Parallels for Desktop for Mac.

5. Once the software is installed you will need to install your any of the Windows programs that you want to use.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure you ahve enough hardrive space to dedicate a portion to your windows applications.
• It is best to have a friend that has some good technical knowledge to call if you get in a bind.