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Apple Computer has released an updated beta version of its Boot Camp software, which allows Intel-based Macs to run either Mac OS X or Windows XP.
The new version, Boot Camp 1.1 beta, was made available on the Apple Web site on Aug. 15. The company first began offering a public version of the software on April 5.
Although Boot Camp is available for Mac OS X 10.4.6, the software will be bundled in OS X 10.5, or “Leopard,” which CEO Steve Jobs has said will be released in the spring of 2007.
Apple has said that it would not support or sell Windows, but by offering Boot Camp, the company has made its Mac computer line more attractive to potential users who are more familiar with a traditional PC.
The updated Boot Camp beta is a 202MB download and is available from Apples Web site.
The site offers a step-by-step process for downloading the software and then creating a second partition on the hard drive for Windows.
The new beta version also includes a number of extras, including support for the latest Intel-based Mac computers, including the Mac Pro desktop, the ability to install Windows XP on an internal disk, and better keyboard support.
“You dont need to partition your hard drive again (unless you want to change its size) or reinstall your Macintosh and Windows software or documents, but its very important to update the Boot Camp Assistant software, create a new Macintosh Drivers for Windows CD and install the updated software it contains on Windows XP,” Apple writes on its Web site.
In addition to the latest version of Mac OS X Tiger, Mac users need the latest firmware updates, 10GB of free hard disk space, an Intel-based Mac, a recordable CD, a printer for instructions, and an instillation disk for Windows XP, Service Park 2, either the Home or Professional version.