Dual-Booters Guide: Windows XP on Macs

This year Apple introduced a new line of machines called MacBook and MacBook Pro along with an application called Boot Camp that allows users to install Windows XP on Intel-based Macs.

As a long time Windows user, and now owner of a MacBook Pro, I also had to get used to the different applications and function  keys each system has. Basic hotkey action like PrtScrn or ALT-CTRL-DELETE doesn't work well on Macs, so I had to look for the equivalent keyboard shortcuts. It can be a frustrating learning experience if you don't know where to start.

So now that thousands are dual-booting their systems, where do you find a good guide on how the "other" OS works? Before giving up on the "other side", check out Extreme Tech's "A Switcher's Guide to Windows / OS X" which I found extremely helpful in my rediscovery efforts.

It offers recommendations of software downloads that give you the same functionality you're used to having on either OS X or Windows systems as well as hardware tips like "get a new mouse" for your Mac—a one button mouse takes some getting used to for right clickers. It's a great start for newbies learning their new OS.

It will also help immensely to take a look at at the keyboard shortcuts for each system. Trust me, it will spare you the headache.

• Mac OS X Keyboard Shortcuts
• Windows XP Keyboard Shortcuts