The software creates a hard-drive partition for Windows XP and lets users choose between the two operating systems at start-up time. It's available now as a free trial beta that works only for a limited time, and it will be included in the next major version of Mac OS X Version 10.5, or "Leopard," which is due out late this year.

'Apple has no desire or plan to sell or support Windows, but many customers have expressed their interest to run Windows on Apple's superior hardware now that we use Intel processors,' Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide product marketing, said in a statement. 'We think Boot Camp makes the Mac even more appealing to Windows users considering making the switch.'

According to the Apple statement, Boot Camp simplifies Windows installation on an Intel-based Mac by providing a graphical step-by-step assistant application to dynamically create a second partition on the hard drive for Windows, to burn a CD with all the necessary Windows drivers, and to install Windows from a Windows XP installation CD.

After installation is complete, users can choose to run either Mac OS X or Windows when they restart their computers.

The software, which Apple released today with little fanfare, is available for free download immediately.