Last week I suggested that Apple moving to Intel combined with the eternal delays in Microsoft's Vista could suddenly result in users having a choice of commercial operating systems. This week it's happened...

Apple Computer on Wednesday unveiled new software that allows Intel-based Macs to run Microsoft's Windows XP... The computer maker said its new Boot Camp software is available as a download beginning Wednesday. It allows users with a Microsoft Windows XP installation disc to install Windows XP on an Intel-based Mac computer... Boot Camp makes it easier to install Windows software on an Intel-based Mac, with a step-by-step guide. It also lets users choose to use either Mac OS X software, or the Windows software when they restart their computer. (more...)

Okay, so it's not the full Monty. You can't walk into a computer shop and pick up a boxed version of OSX for your home PC. Yet. But if you're in the market for a new machine you now have a real choice. Just the ability to run Windows easily, natively and officially is the killer here. Few people who try OSX ever go back.  After all, it's based on the Linux-like FreeBSD...

Apple shares jumped nearly 7% at the news though rumours of a new Microsoft chant, ("Vista ain't done till OSX won't run") are unconfirmed.