Because there has been a lot of buzz about Windows Vista and hardware performance, I recently installed Vista on my Mac Pro with the most current version (at the time of writing this article) of Apple’s BootCamp Beta.

It is now known that Vista requires quite some beefed-up specs to have the so-called Aero Interface active.

I first installed it using Parallels and ran it as a virtual app… which literally felt like a downgraded version of Windows XP. Then that’s when I decided to installed on it’s own partition to take full advantage of the hardware in my Mac Pro.

I was pleasantly surprised on how the Mac Pro performed through the installation process… and even before installing the BootCamp drivers once the Windows installation was complete, the Aero interface was already up and running.

One interesting thing that I found on the System Properties is a ‘Score’ that Windows gives to your hardware configuration. It takes into account the CPU, the RAM, the graphics card, the graphics memory, and the hard disk.

As noted on the image above, the Mac Pro scored a quite comfortable 4.4 on the Windows Experience Index. It is comfortable because…

“A computer with a base score of 4 or 5 is able to run all new features of Windows Vista with full functionality, and it is able to support high-end, graphics-intensive experiences, such as multiplayer and 3‑D gaming and recording and playback of HDTV content. Computers with a base score of 5 were the highest performing computers available when Windows Vista was released.” -Windows Vista Help

One thing that I haven’t been able to find is the full scale… where does it end? is it a 6? a 10? Do you know?.

So, it is safe to say that if you purchase a Mac Pro, You will be able to easily run both Windows Vista and Mac OS X, especially if you are someone like me… I started switching to Mac a bit over 2 years ago, now I have 2 Macs at home (a Mac Pro and a MacBook Pro), and I ocassionally run Windows XP on Parallels, which gives you the advantage of having both Operating Systems running at the same time without the need of restarting the computer… Not the case for Bootcamp, which requires me to restart every time I need to use either OS.

To the point: If you love Macs, but you are still tied to Windows… Get a Mac, and enjoy both worlds.

And after months of trying to decide which new Mac I should get, I decided to replace my iBook G4, for another laptop.

I never got sold on the idea of having a Mini, and it was not going to be practical since I already own a Windows PC… And one of the (now few) reasons why I still have it is because I do a lot of Web Development on it (ie. .Net). This would have forced me to have 3 computers and then the nightmare of not knowing where I left X or Y file.

Apple made the move and released the MacBook, which replaced the iBook. With this, all the family of Apple Laptops complete the transition to Intel CPUs… I thought it just made more sense to replace my iBook for a more robust solution… I was thinking on getting the MacBook, but since I am becoming more serious on being a Mac user, I decided to get the MacBook Pro.

It has a lot of cool features that outsell the MacBook:

• Backlit Keyboard
• A Whopping 1440 by 900 Resolution
• 15-inch screen, and with the resolution, you have a great workspace area!
• The graphics card is superior, and it does not steal memory from the Main RAM (the GMA 950 does “share” it)
• Gotta luv the Metallic enclosure
• comes with 512Mb of RAM, but it is using only one slot… I will not throw away the RAM if I decide to upgrade to 1Gb.

It’s been a day… and I am liking it very much. =)

About 7 months ago, Apple announced that they were leaving the PowerPC platform to embrace Intel… They said it would be about a year… but they are now shipping iMac systems with the Intel Core Duo Processor.

Also, Apple is inviting ADC Premier and Select Members to get their iMac at a discounted rate.

If anyone got a DTK Apple system, they can find out more about the DTK Exchange Program.

‘24′ TV Series Star’s voice, Kiefer Sutherland’s (aka. Jack Bauer), is featured in the iMac/Intel TV Ad.

Visit the Apple Intel Platform mini-site for more information.

Update!: Ripple effect.

Obviously, the announcement about Mac gettting rid of IBM, and embracing Intel as their CPU provider caused HUGE stir and very strong opinions throughout the entire IT community. Including M-Blog (this blog). =)

Today, I read Steve Abrahamson’s article and let me tell you: it does make sense!

The only thing they will be modifying from your Mac, is the CPU. The OS, the drives, and of course their AWESOME design that has characterized Apple products! Everything but the Chip will stay the same!

I grew up, and went through my BS in Computer Science using a PC, I learned to build and develop websites on a PC (Windows Notepad), and use a PC every single day.

Last year, I bought an iPod Mini, and I just love it! It ‘made me’ buy an aftermarket car stereo so I could seamlessly operate my iPod, without the goofy FM transmitters, or the Cassette adapter. Once I got it… I knew (and my family did too) that very soon I was going to get another Apple product, and so I did… last November, I bought my first Apple (an iBook).

I still use my Windows PC at work, I have another one at home. And I am very happy with my iBook, and I really dig the idea of having a Dual Boot!

More so… Wouldn’t this change make Apple (and Intel based PCs) more Open?

“Your Mac will continue to be your Mac. I know, we have a lot of intellectual baggage about Intel being evil, but they’re just a chip manufacturer, and if IBM wasn’t willing to devote the resources to keep Macintosh healthy, a move to a vendor who can is the smart one.”

— Steve Abrahamson

Isn’t it all about Switching? =)

All ‘rumors’ that were going on over the weekend became truth.

Apple will start using Intel chips in 2006, according to today’s press release.

“Apple previewed a version of its critically acclaimed operating system, Mac OS’ X Tiger, running on an Intel-based Mac’ to the over 3,800 developers attending CEO Steve Jobs’ keynote address. Apple also announced the availability of a Developer Transition Kit, consisting of an Intel-based Mac development system along with preview versions of Apple’s software, which will allow developers to prepare versions of their applications which will run on both PowerPC and Intel-based Macs.”

— Apple, WWDC 2005, SAN FRANCISCO

Some say that this move will enable Apple to have a second option for processors manufacturers (AMD), instead of relying on only one of them.