When pigs fly: Running Windows on a Mac

The result is the fastest version of Windows I’ve ever used.  Please believe me, I’m not exaggerating. Windows XP flies on this machine. To be safe, Apple warns that not all Windows stuff might work as you expect under Boot Camp.  Baloney!  For me, everything works as well — or better — than on my very up-to-date, super-duper Windows laptop.

To change from OS X to Windows or vice versa you have to close down the operating system you’re using and re-boot the machine  — holding down the OPTION button until you get a screen with two hard drive icons. Choose OS X or Windows and the machine restarts in that OS.

Remember that part about it being a beta? Some people, it is true, have reported problems with switching back and forth between the operating systems. Apple is looking into it. However, I had absolutely no such problems.

I also have to tell you about some competition for Boot Camp. A new program called Parallels allows you to run OS X and XP (or Linux) at the same time — and switch back and forth between them without rebooting. I’m hoping to try Parallels on this computer soon, actually as soon as I find time to stop working and playing with the iMac just the way it is.

Apple Computer After a successful install, you can switch between OS X and Windows XP by holding down the option key during boot-up.

Deserving of special mention is the iMac's standard, wired mouse. When you use it in OS X it's a terrific one-button mouse. And when you navigate with it in Windows it performs as a two-button mouse. Just tap the left side to left click and the right side to right click. That's really cool.

OK, I did find one thing I didn’t like about my short time with the iMac — the sound quality. While it's a terrific engineering feat just to get stereo speakers inside such a thin enclosure, they don't measure up to the rest of the hardware.

I’ve burned more than 2 GB of music onto my iMac’s hard drive via iTunes — using Apple’s Lossless format for terrific sound quality. The built-in speakers don’t do the music justice. I recommend using better-sounding external speakers for music lovers, and leave the internal ones for speech.

I know I’m leaving out descriptions of some of the iMac's wonderful features: Bluetooth, Firewire, mini-DVI, built-in iSight camera, microphone, optical digital audio out, and even a cute little remote control to turn your computer into a jukebox (ask your parents), to name just a few. But part of the fun of a Mac is how easy it is to discover them for yourself.

What you really need to know is if you’re in the market for a new Apple computer you should put the new iMac on your short list. Same if you’re looking for a new PC. With the advent of Boot Camp — which is also set to be included as part of the next OS X upgrade — Apple is marketing one of the best computers available today. Period.

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