Don't chuck out Virtual PC yet, the MacBook doesn't do Windows

Once again, Ars Technica dishes the dirt. It seems the lack of a BIOS on the MacBook means that it will never be able to run any current version of Windows. The MacBook uses Intel's far more capable Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) instead of a BIOS, but the only current versions of Windows which support EFI are the Itanium and 64 bit versions, neither of which will run on the 32 bit Core Duo processor. So, it's Windows Vista or nothing, and Vista won't be out until late this year at the very earliest.

In the article Ars also casually note that once Microsoft recompiles Virtual PC for the MacBook users will be able to run Windows apps at near-native speeds. However I have to ask how likely is it that MS will make the effort in a timely fashion? And how will Microsoft's hardware partners feel about the decision? Would they see it as unwanted competition for their PC systems? Or will MS place greater weight on the extra revenue and greater market share that will result if Mac users start buying copies of Windows? So many questions, when all I want is to be able to test designs in WinIE without enduring Virtual PC's geologic response time.

Related entries

Windows on Intel Macs - 7 June 2005
Yet more Virtual PC news - 15 January 2006
PC makers desire OS X? - 15 February 2005
Windows evangelist twists truth - 15 December 2004
The new MacBook, and why everyone should have one - 11 January 2006
Tri-booting Intel-Macs - 26 July 2005
MGS Virtual Pool 2 reviewed - 8 January 2005
Google Maps vs. Virtual Earth - 9 August 2005
Tour of the Microsoft Mac labs - 11 May 2006

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