A few weeks back, I read an interesting article concerning rumors of Apple's move to using Windows as their core operating system.  Things like moving to Intel-based chips and Microsoft’s declaration that it is not going to proceed with another version of Office for the Mac OS makes it very possible that Apple is going the way of Windows.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, Apple after all touts itself as a hardware company that makes high-end products.  Even as a PC user I know that to be true.  So why not make the switch and give Microsoft the headache of keeping the OS compatible with the thousands of new hardware products that come out on an almost daily basis?  Honestly, the only alternative I see to a Windows based Mac is to license the Mac OS for other PC manufactures to preload on PC's but I really don't see that in the horizon for Apple even with the switch to Intel.

So this morning I go to CNET News, part of my daily ritual, and the first article that caught my eye was Apple: Windows on a Mac is here.  Called Boot Camp, this program allows Windows to run natively on the newer Intel-based Macs; basically dual booting.  The user will get the option to select the Mac OS or the Windows XP OS at startup.  While it's not Windows "shipping" on a Mac, it is a step in the direction of being able to order a Mac with Windows installed.  

And why not?  Let’s face it, I'm a Windows man; I program in .NET, manage Windows Servers, own and administer multiple PC's but I have to tell you, Apple is becoming more appealing if I can run Windows on it.  My guess is that Apple can win over a lot of Windows users and take away a large share of the market from PC companies such as Dell, HP, and IBM.  

Just a few years back, before the iPod, I had my doubts about Apple and the direction the company was headed but now, if things keep progressing the way they are, those doubts are fading.  And who knows, maybe, just maybe, I'll own a Mac before the end of this decade.