Boot Camp is Wimpy: Analyst

Iria · Apr 8, 2006, 03:53 PM

Apple’s software that allows Microsoft Windows XP to be installed on Mac computers is over-hyped, one prominent research firm said Friday, adding that it may not be the carrot to get Windows users to switch to Apple that the company had hoped.

Boot Camp, a free program downloadable from the company’s web site, was touted earlier this week as a way to lure Windows users into buying Intel-based Macs (see Apple Adds Windows Software). It works by creating a second partition on the hard drive for Windows XP.

Analyst Michael Silver of Gartner Research, however, says that the program’s technology is less convenient than that of other similar programs. As a result, Boot Camp may not be effective in convincing Windows users, particularly those in business, to switch to Macs, he said.

“This only allows you to run one operating system at a time,” Mr. Silver said. “To run the other one, you have to switch off the first.”
This could be a deterrent, he said. Someone who repeatedly has to use Windows as well as Mac’s OS X operating system will have to constantly shut down and reboot.

“This is not the experience most users seek,” Mr. Silver said. “They are more likely to want to run the Windows applications natively on the Mac OS X. This is a safety net… for consumers who are contemplating a Mac but aren’t sure.”
__________
Read More / Source: Red Herring

Apr 8, 2006, 03:53 PM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Boot Camp is Wimpy: Analyst Apple’s software that allows Microsoft Windows XP to be installed on Mac computers is over-hyped, one prominent research firm said Friday, adding that it may not be the carrot to get Windows users to switch to Apple that the company had hoped. Boot Camp, a free program downloadable from the company’s web site, was touted earlier this week as a way to lure Windows users into buying Intel-based Macs (see Apple Adds Windows Software). It works by creating a second partition on the hard drive for Windows XP. Analyst Michael Silver of Gartner Research, however, says that the program’s technology is less convenient than that of other similar programs. As a result, Boot Camp may not be effective in convincing Windows users, particularly those in business, to switch to Macs, he said. “This only allows you to run one operating system at a time,” Mr. Silver said. “To run the other one, you have to switch off the first.” This could be a deterrent, he said. Someone who repeatedly has to use Windows as well as Mac’s OS X operating system will have to constantly shut down and reboot. “This is not the experience most users seek,” Mr. Silver said. “They are more likely to want to run the Windows applications natively on the Mac OS X. This is a safety net… for consumers who are contemplating a Mac but aren’t sure.” __________ Read More / Source: Red Herring