OS X n XP dual-boot Macs selling retail

[Bob Crabtree]

After Apple introduced its Boot Camp dual-boot utility (check out our review), it had to happen - and US online reseller MacMall is the first company we've heard of doing it. Doing what? Offering Intel-based Macs with Windows XP pre-installed alongside OS X, of course!

MacMall's eight deals span the three families of Intel-based Macs - Mac minis, iMacs and PowerBooks Pro laptops - all of which are offered with XP Home or XP Pro and come with a free printer, too.

Get the full details in this HEXUS.headline and do please tell us if you know whether any switched-on UK Mac retailer is yet selling off-the-shelf dual-boot Macs or if there are any signs of Apple itself offering this option.

[Bob Crabtree]

No one has has responded to the challenge to name a UK reseller offering Boot Camp installed and running.

However, Gordy, the author of our Boot Camp review, did spot a (newly-launched) MacBook Pro running Boot Camp in store - in PC World's Cribs Causway branch in Bristol.

Seemingly, though, it wasn't for sale but merely a demo of what you can do on an Intel-based Mac.

Gordy doesn't know whether it was an official thing or just an initiative in that branch.

Check out his site which contains a pic of the MacBook Pro running XP.

In an email to me he said,

In the picture, the note underneath explains what Boot Camp is and does and says its a beta - as well as saying Apple and PC World would not support such a setup. That note looks to me like something that someone in store knocked up - you'd think that the note would be PC World-branded if this was a nationwide thing.

[awm]

I'm not suprised that these things came out. Its a logical business idea. What does surprise me is that they aren't avalibe in the UK. If you wanted a high quality laptop that does the two most popular operating systems this perfect assuming you don't have a copy of XP lying about.

[Gordy]

Awn technically they are with pc world demoing them, I'm sure most local mac resellers could do it as well for a small fee.

[UltraMagnus]

PCs running OSX, Macs running windows! whatever next!