So I don't know why Apple doesn't harp on this more in its marketing. If you are an Intel Mac owner (I guess everyone who bought a Mac in the last 6 months qualifies) and you want to run any modern software program: Mac, Windows XP, Windows Vista, etc. all you need is an inexpensive piece of virtualization software that transforms your Mac into what is basically a universal PC.
The Universal PC. Let it roll off your tongue. Only the Mac can do this.
I've been using both Parallels Desktop and VMWare Fusion since they both hit the streets. And let me tell you - my MacBook Pro is the envy of the office. Even though my company makes Windows-only software (right now, hint hint) I can still run any and all programs in the office. Our web development team is using Macs and virtualization software to check all the various browsers for compatibility. I can even improve my productivity by using Keynote and outputting into PowerPoint (yuck) and PDF. And these programs are getting better all the time. No need to reboot, just launch the program and pickup where I left off. Much faster - and cheaper - than having two laptops.
I recently purchased a high end Sony Vaio for a demo I was doing for Walter Mossberg. Guess what? The Mac was more reliable and easier to configure. So I gave the demo on the Mac. Running Windows.
The point being that Mac users used to live on a tiny island. Mac software required a Mac and vice versa. Now the Mac runs anything. And it does so beautifully. We don't live on an island anymore but the view is still breathtaking and the air cleaner. So hold your heads high and breathe deeply. You own a Universal PC.
This just in: now the Mac is finally a gaming system. EA stakes a claim on the Mac.
