Download Apple Boot Camp 1.2 beta

Apple just released a new beta version of Boot Camp posted online. The version number has been increased to 1.2. The new Boot Camp can continue this link can be downloaded as a 138MB heavy dmg file and has a number of improvements over the previous release. Version 1.2 supports, among other things, the 32-bit edition of Windows Vista. In addition, the drivers of iSight and the trackpad, among others, have been updated and the Remote can be used to operate iTunes and Windows Media Player in Windows. The full list of changes is posted at the bottom of this mess post.

Using Boot Camp, it is possible to run Windows XP or Windows Vista natively on an Intel-based Mac computer. Once Boot Camp has been installed under Mac OS X, you will first be asked to partition the hard drive so that a separate partition is created on which Windows can be installed later. When partitioning is complete, you will be prompted to insert a writable CD into the CD/DVD burner that will contain an installer containing drivers for specific hardware necessary for Windows to use that hardware. After Boot Camp has done its job, the Windows installation procedure can be started. During the startup of the Mac computer, you can choose whether to boot Mac OS X or Windows, but in both operating systems you can specify which OS should be booted by default.

Apple’s latest operating system is still in development and, according to the latest rumors, would not be released in the spring, but only in October. The culprit for this delay would be Windows Vista, because Apple wants to give potential switchers the option to also run Vista on a Mac. However, the same rumor mill indicates that Mac OS X 10.5 “Leopard” – as the new OS is called – would be ready in time and, as originally planned, will hit store shelves sometime in the spring. Boot Camp is part of Mac OS X 10.5 and should be complete with the release of the operating system. So the arrival of Boot Camp 1.2 beta would mean a lot of work is being done to get Leopard ready for a spring release:

Boot Camp 1.2 beta includes:

• Support for Windows Vista (32-bit)
• Updated drivers, including but not limited to trackpad, AppleTime (synch), audio, graphics, modem, iSight camera
• Support the Apple Remote (works with iTunes and Windows Media Player)
• A Windows system tray icon for easy access to Boot Camp information and actions
• Improved keyboard support for Korean, Chinese, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, Russian, and French Canadian
• Improved Windows driver installation experience
• Updated documentation and Boot Camp online help in Windows
• Apple Software Update (for Windows XP and Vista)

Updating to Boot Camp 1.2 beta

If you previously installed Boot Camp beta, you can easily update to Boot Camp 1.2 beta. You don’t need to partition your hard drive again (unless you want to change its size) or reinstall your Macintosh and Windows software or documents, but it’s very important to update the Boot Camp Assistant software, create a new Mac Drivers CD and install the updated software it contains onto Windows. Complete instructions are provided in the Installation and Setup Guide included with the Boot Camp 1.2 beta software.

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