To broaden its appeal in a Windows-dominated world, Apple Computer Inc. has unveiled a software on Wednesday to help owners of its new Intel-based Macs run not only its own operating system but also Microsoft Corp.'s rival software.

Apple's shares surged as Wall Street bet the move would help Apple grow its current worldwide personal computer market share beyond the current range of 3 percent to 4 percent by attracting more business and home users.

"It makes the Mac the most versatile computer on the market," said Tim Bajarin

Apple's new "Boot Camp" software, a "beta" test version available as a free download, lets computer users with a
Windows XP installation disk load it on the Mac. Users could then switch between the two operating systems — using only one at a time — by rebooting, a process that could take a few minutes.

A similar tactic to port iTunes to windows helped to surge the iPod market all around the world, could this be the incentive for people to tempt people to go for Macs ?