Apple lifts Windows barrier on Macs

Apple lifts Windows barrier on Macs

Apple Computer Inc. released free software on Wednesday that allows its users to run Microsoft Windows on their Macs. This move sudden and unexpected though it is, could increase the market share of the Cupertino, California-based company.

"We found there are quite a large number of people who were sold on the Mac and wanted to move over, but they had one or two applications that were keeping them from making the move," Brian Croll, senior director of product marketing at Apple explained this sudden shift.

"The second group was interested in the Mac but worried if they made the move over, (they) would be leaving something behind. The ability to run Windows would take those barriers down." Apple shares jumped 10 percent on Wednesday to close at $67.21 per share as this news filtered out. In the last couple of years Apple has been looking at releasing the barriers are the incorporation of Intel into Macs was the first step.

While the company has been growing from strength to strength thanks to the mega response to its digital player, iPod, the Macs have just about 4 percent of the market share. It is to correct these deficiencies that Apple decided to lift the Windows barrier. Analysts feel the move will give Apple an edge in the market and allow it to compete with manufacturers like Dell.

Jupiter Research analyst Michael Gartenberg said, "It's a bold move on Apple's part. I think it has potential for them to grow market share." The software that needs to be downloaded onto Macs is called the Boot Camp and will help install Windows XP on the systems. Apple said the software was still in testing stages and will be included in its next OS release.