Apple has released a Public Beta of their BootCamp software, which allows any Intel-processor equipped Mac to natively use the Microsoft Windows XP operating system.
The BootCamp software includes drivers that allow for full use of the hardware in Apple’s computers - previously, many important devices like the video card did not have drivers available for them.
When using BootCamp software, please note:
As this is a Public Beta, many features may not work or be rough around the edges. Please be careful and back up before trying BootCamp.
As a computer consultant, I see virus and spyware infected computers on a regular basis. None of them are Macs. The 3/13 article entitled “UA attack highlights vulnerability of Macs” gives a distorted, empirical example that does not correctly reflect computing reality.
As with all computers, Apple’s MacOS X operating system is vulnerable to outside attacks, but unlike other many other vendors, Apple ships it’s systems in a “closed by default” configuration, which prevents network attacks. The vast majority of Mac systems that are compromised have been modified by their users to deviate from the default secure configuration, have an easy to guess password, or are modified by a malicious insider.
As opposed to Microsoft’s Windows platform which has an insecure, administrative login by default, MacOS X requires a the user to enter a password any time administrative rights are required. Most of the so-called Mac viruses in existence require that the user manually download the virus and enter their administrative password to install it! Compare this to the recent Windows Metafile bug, where simply viewing a picture on the internet could cause any number of viruses or spyware programs to automatically be installed on the computer without any user intervention.
Apple’s line of Mac computers will continue to be the best combination of ease of use and security for most computer users. I encourage everyone who wants to stop fighting with malicious software and start enjoying their computer to seriously consider switching to a Mac.
Apple released a bunch of new products today at Macworld 2006, in San Francisco. Here’s the scoop on all the new products, including the intel-based iMac and MacBook Pro, and the new revisions to iLife and iWork.
New Software
New Hardware
Also, both the new iMac and MacBook Pro use a PCI Express system architecture, and have Radeon X1600 graphics processors - which is a big improvement from the previous Radeon 9700 or X600 graphics in previous PowerBooks and iMacs respectively.
The new intel-based macs also use Rosetta technology, which allows existing programs to run on the intel-based Macs with a minimal performance reduction.
If you want to see a streaming video of the keynote speach by Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO, you can find it Here.
As always, Artisan Computer Services is ready to support Apple’s newest products, and if you have any questions, feel free to Contact Us. Thanks!
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