Apple Answers ‘What If’

Nearly two weeks has passed since Apple released Boot Camp, and I’ve said absolutely nothing on my personal blog about the software. The reason: I would never run Windows on a Mac that I own.

Boot Camp makes sense for people who think they might need Windows or have actual, occasional need. The software answers the question, “What if I need Windows?” But that’s a psychological more than real concern for most, potential Mac switchers. I’m convinced that most people thinking they might need Windows won’t. I know people who can’t throw away stuff, even if they haven’t used it for years, because of the “What if I need it” question. The barrier, while psychological, is real.

Realistically, most people use computers for the Internet or digital content, like photos and music. Apple has nicely covered these areas with Mac OS X in many respects better than Windows.

I promised my daughter that as soon as Apple releases new consumer notebooks, she would get one. We’ll swap out her relatively new Sony VAIO VGN-FJ notebook. Microsoft’s Windows Live OneCare laid waste to the computer a few weeks back. She returned to using her iMac G4, yeah, the one with the pivoting arm, and has hardly missed using Windows.

But she can have Windows XP on her Mac notebook, if she wants it. If.