[Pr0c32]

I'm thinking of getting one soon, but I'm still confused about the whole Windows XP concept on a Mac. Can the MacBook run .exe files (including Visual Basic files and games not designed for OSX)?

[ibook_steve]

If you're using Boot Camp, you can boot the MBP into Mac OS X or XP. If you boot into XP, you can run .exe files just as you would on a regular PC. You cannot run .exe files from Mac OS X without Windows visualization (emulation, though would it still be called emulation?) software such as Parallels.

Steve

[Pr0c32]

I see. So does this Boot Camp come with the MacBook Pro or do I have to purchase it seperately. Thanks.

[JKT]

Boot Camp is currently a free download (and is beta at the moment). Something like it is due to ship as a part of the next update to the system software due next year.

What isn't free (unless you don't have any ethics or you already own a legit copy) is the version of Windows you will need to install as well as Boot Camp.

If you would rather run Windows from within the Mac OS X environment instead of having to re-boot into windows/OS X, the virtualisation software from Parallels is another $50 on top once it is released (it too is currently a beta).

[lookmark]

Boot Camp is currently in public beta -- it's an advance feature from the next version of OS X, Leopard.

Leopard will cost $130 (street price $100) when it's released in early '07.

Boot Camp allows you to install XP SP2 -- if you don't have a XP SP2 CD, you'll need to buy one (you can find an OEM version for about $80-$100, or slipstream your own from a pre-SP2 version). You will then be able to dual-boot between OS X and Windows.

More info here.