This is awesome! Apple is introducing software to allow Windows XP to run on Intel-based Macs. The first Intel-based Macs were introduced a few months ago and by the end of the year, all Macs will be based on the Intel architecture.

In my line of work as a product designer, I make extensive use of Pro/E, a high-end 3-D CAD software package. It’s the primary tool used to bring cool things like the TiVo wireless network adapter to life. For years, I’ve wanted to run Pro/E on my home Mac, but unfortunately, the software was never ported to the Mac platform; it only ran on Windows and some select Unix platforms. With Apple’s Boot Camp, I should be able to run Windows off a partition on my hard drive and then install and run Pro/E on that partition. I should then be able to use a floating license from TiVo, by connecting through TiVo’s VPN, to run the Pro/E software.

To be able to run Pro/E on the best designed computer hardware in the world is something I’ve been looking forward to for quite some time so this is very exciting! Looks like I’ve got a good reason to upgrade my Mac in the not-so-distant future.

Update: Even better than Boot Camp is this soon-to-be-released software that will allow you to run OS X and Windows side-by-side, without requiring a reboot. It looks extremely promising!

Posted by Roger at 8:25 am.