Tech —

Apple and MS more comfy than ever, Apple says “Sure, run Windows”

How does Apple feel, really, about users installing Windows right next to OS X …

Apple's VP of worldwide marketing, Phil Schiller, was interviewed during today's Macworld Expo festivities regarding the current climate between Apple and Microsoft, and also questioned a bit on Apple's willingness to allow users to install Windows on Intel-based Macs if they so please.

"That's fine with us. We don't mind," Schiller said. "If there are people who love our hardware but are forced to put up with a Windows world, then that's OK." 

Translation: "Macs still cost so much that we don't even care if you run OSX on it, so go right ahead! Free for all! Have a donut!"

The switch could technically and theoretically allow a person to load Windows onto a Mac computer, although the user would require some technical expertise to pull it off. That would allow a person to run both Microsoft and Apple's operating systems on the same Apple machine. 

"Technical expertise" == "Partitioning a hard drive"? (theoretically, of course)

"Any new machines that are on the market that run Windows are great," said Scott Erickson, director of product management and marketing for Microsoft's Mac business unit.

Really? I'm shocked.

In other, but related news, Microsoft also announced a 5-year agreement with Apple to continue developing Office for Mac (not just for Windows run on a Mac, haha!), and is apparently committed to releasing an Intel-Mac-compatible version of Office in the (hopefully) near future.

Erickson said the five-year deal, in which no money changed hands, should help quell customer concerns that Microsoft will stop developing software for its rival.

"What we wanted to do was just put to rest the question of, `Hey, are they going to be around now that (Apple is) making a major switch to Intel?'" Erickson said.

Hmm, I'm not sure if I've personally heard too many blips about that lately, but I suppose it's good to know. As much as we'd all like to demonize Microsoft at times, these types of partnerships are almost universally good for everyone involved.

So, who's just dying to load both OS X and Windows, side-by-side, completely and utterly endorsed by Schiller like Rainbow Brite at a gay pride parade? 

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Channel Ars Technica