| To install Boot Camp, you'll need: Boot Camp (http://www.apple.com/macosx/bootcamp/). An Intel-equipped Mac. At this writing, your choices include the Mac mini, the iMac, and the MacBook Pro. Windows XP, Windows XP Home Edition, or Window XP Professionala version that ships on single discs and includes Service Pack 2. If the disc includes Service Pack 2, it will be clearly labeled as such. If your disc doesn't include Service Pack 2, you can add the Service Pack to your disc by following the procedure explained at www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html. For this procedure to work, however, you'll need access to a machine that's already running Windows, that has a CD burner, and that is equipped with a CD-burning program such as Nero Burning ROM (available at www.nero.com). A blank, recordable CD. At least 5 GB of available space on your Mac's current boot drive. In addition, you'll probably find the following helpful: A multibutton mouse. Although the Mac supports multibutton mice, Windows is much more dependent on them for everyday use. You'll be able to get through installation and configuration with a single-button mouse, but if you intend to use Windows apps for serious work, you'll want a mouse with more than one button. A bottle of ibuprofen. OK, OK, this isn't essential, but come onyou're a Mac user, and you're about to install Windows! This exercise falls plainly into the "You never thought it could happen to you" category.
Bear in mind that Boot Camp currently is beta software. Although Apple said Boot Camp will be a feature in the next major release of the Mac OS, if you choose to install it now, you're essentially opting to become an unpaid software tester. With that said, know that Boot Camp is very stable and works well. Certain aspects of installation may seem a little rough around the edges, but overall, you should find that installing and running Windows XP on your Mac is easy. |
