Hi all - we have a question from Ian today
Hi Matt.
The other night you mentioned that some of the later models of Apple Mac's can have installed on a separate petition, a Windows operating system. A friend of mine has just been given by his Son an Apple iMac. How do I find out whether or not this can have a Windows Operating System installed. If so I feel that I can assist him as this is the first PC that he has had.
Ian :-) :-)
Hi Ian
If it is a reasonably new iMac you will be OK.
To directly install windows on a dual-boot arrangement the processor in the Mac needs to be an Intel.
All Macs have had Intel, rather than the older Power PC or PPC chips for at least 2 years now I think. SO if it's less than 2 years old he will probably be right.
Use the details at this page to tell him how to look up his system information
If he has an Intel CPU we are go
Apparently the dual install process is pretty easy. I have never done it but you use an official Apple product called 'Boot Camp' which guides you through the install process and tells you when to put in the Windows CD. Here is a couple of links with instructions on how. The first has links to Apple help too
http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/04/boot-camp-tutorial-install-windows-xp.html
http://www.askdavetaylor.com/how_do_i_install_windows_xp_on_my_mac_using_boot_camp_1.html
It's pretty amazing to think that Apple have an official way for you to install the competitors system. I wonder if Microsoft would ever work in reverse and help you to install Apple products, etc - No I don't think so either :)
Notice I said directly above because it is possible to run windows in a "virtual environment" from within Mac OS X.
The two major competitors in the software area that support this are:
But to be honest if the Mac isn't new or fast enough to run Windows via install it probably isn't fast enough to run it successfully virtualised either and you will only confuse the poor guy anyway.
If he has never used either computer system he will probably be happy with the Mac and OS X. Some people would be of the opinion that the Mac OS X is easier to use for a beginner and that given it's stability, security from viruses and so on he is less likely to get himself into trouble. As Keith said in his presentation to us a couple of months ago his kids have yet to be able to really break their Mac but they were buggering Windows XP up every other week.
But if he is going to need a lot of help getting started then you will have difficulty helping him as you aren't familiar with the Mac. Frankly neither am I - although I have bought one to tinker with. So I will have to leave it up to you what you advise him.
Good luck with it :)
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