Boot Camp is a software bridge that enables Mac users to run Windows software on their Mac. In years past, you may have heard that a Mac computer couldn’t run Windows out of the box (without expensive hardware or software), and that Mac software was off-limits to computers. . . And you’ve heard correctly, at least for all but the recent history of the Macintosh computer.
The incompatibility was the result of Apple using a series of Motorola processors (central processing units) that do not speak the same language as the Intel CPUs used in computers. Think of a Korean speaking person trying to read a book in Arabic, and you’ll get the general idea.
Then Apple started using Intel processors in Macs, and the ground rules changed. Apple devices are suddenly compatible with Windows. All that was needed was a bridge to help keep the two operating systems separate on the same hard drive – and Apple developed Boot Camp. Of course, this bridge only works in one direction because you still can’t run Macintosh programs on PC. (Go and conclude.)
Boot Camp achieves this magic by creating a separate Windows partition on your Mac’s hard drive. The partition holds all of your Windows data, including the operating system, program files, and documents you create while Windows is running. Keep in mind that this partition is completely separate from your OS X data even though both partitions are on the same physical hard drive.
Think of it this way: when you restart your Mac with Boot Camp, it’s the same as changing the station on an FM radio. The hardware is the same, but you’re switching to a different station (Windows instead of OS X), and you’re listening to different music (country music instead of rock). How does that compare, Dr. Science?
Naturally, you need free space on your Mac’s hard drive to install Boot Camp. Apple recommends 10 GB of free space, but it’s more than 40 GB. Requires new Boot Camp to be installed in Yosemite Windows 7 or Windows 8 Note that some newer Mac models only support Windows 8.
When your Mac is running Windows, it is as vulnerable to virus and spyware attacks as any Windows computer. Make sure to invest in high-quality antivirus and spyware protection for your Windows side!
