Apple's Boot Camp has just been updated to version 2.1. It is available in three forms, for Windows XP, Vista 32 bit, and Vista 64 bit. Update 2.1 addresses certain issues with the utility and improves compatibility with XP and Vista. Click HERE to update your version of Boot Camp. XP users should note that Boot Camp 2.1 should be installed before you apply Windows XP Service Pack 3.

"This update addresses issues and improves compatibility with Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Windows Vista running on a Mac computer using Boot Camp. It is highly recommended for all Boot Camp users. Important: Installation of Boot Camp 2.1 is required before installing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3)," Apple says.

Boot Camp is a utility included with Apple's Mac OS X Leopard. It assists users in installing Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista on Intel-based Macs. Boot Camp guides users through non-destructive re-partitioning (including resizing of an existing HFS+ partition, if necessary) of their hard disk drive and using the Mac OS X Leopard disc to install Windows drivers. Boot Camp includes a control panel applet for selecting the boot operating system while in Windows, in addition to device drivers for the hardware.

Boot Camp lets you install Windows XP without moving your Mac data, though you will need to bring your own copy to the table, as Apple Computers does not sell or support Microsoft Windows. Boot Camp will burn a CD of all the required drivers for Windows so you don't have to scrounge around the Internet looking for them. At startup, hold down the option key (Alt) to choose between Mac OS X and Windows.

Once you've completed Boot Camp, hold down the option key at startup to choose between Mac OS X and Windows. After start up, your Mac will run Windows completely natively. In order to revert to Mac OS X, simply restart.