Apple Launches Software To Run Windows XP

Shares of Apple Computer Inc. surged Wednesday after the computer maker unveiled software to help owners of its new Intel-based Mac computers, not only its own operating system, and Microsoft Corp. Its rival Windows XP system.

Wall Street bet the move will help Apple grow its current worldwide market share beyond the current scope of 3-4 percent, in order to attract more business and home users.

"It makes MAC the most versatile computer on the market," said Tim Bajarin, Creative Strategies high-tech industry consultants.

Apples new "Boot Camp" software, a "beta" test version can be downloaded for free, that allows computer users with Windows XP installation disk loading system, the MAC . Users will be able to switch the two operating systems - using only one at a time - boot, the whole process could take a few minutes.

Apple shares rose more than 8 percent in early afternoon trading.

Were taking bets, said the move should lure Windows users, "their eyes on the MAC, but know that they could not run their favorite Windows programs on Apple Computer." When Apple introduced its first computer based on Intel Corp. chips in January of this year, the company said that it does not intend to sell or support Windows on their machines, but it has not done so, to exclude people to do his own.

Apple Computer said Wednesday that position remains the same, but the new software will ease Windows installation "provides a simple graphical step-by-step assistant application." "Apple does not wish or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed interest to run Windows Apples hardware advantage, and now we use Intel processors," Philip Schiller, senior vice president in charge of worldwide product marketing, said in a statement.

In fact, in the past months, hackers have been working in the program, which allows users of Intel-based Mac computer switch between these two competitive operating system.

Apple switch to Intel chips, the same right to use the most current PC is used by Windows, said after the previous suppliers, IBM and Motorola Corp. To its investment in Freescale Semiconductor Inc., could not meet Apples needs for faster, more energy efficient chips.

But Intel-based Mac computers to run Apples own proprietary operating system.

Because Windows is more dominant, Mac users do not have access to many software programs written only for Windows. Switch to Intel chips, allows users to load Windows on the Mac computer, without the need simulation software, deceleration performance. But until Wednesday, the user needed some technical expertise to pull it off.

American Technology Research analyst Wu described the announcement as a "major change in the rules of the game." Recruits in the training camps of software can more easily install Windows and lets users run either Mac OS X or Windows when they restart their computer.

Final version of the boot camp will be as a feature in the upcoming Mac OS X version 10.5, code-named "Leopard." Apple said it will preview Leopard in August of this year, but it has not yet disclosed a release date or price for the upgrade.

Apple shares rose $ 4.95 or 8.1 percent to 66.12 US dollars in afternoon trading, the company on the Nasdaq Stock Market, while Microsoft shares rose 9 cents to 27.73 US dollars, and Intel shares rose 12 cents, 19.42 US dollars.