Can you only run Apple programs on Apple computers or can your run Windows programs as well?

Cross-platform software... YES!

Great question! At present, many software titles are becoming increasingly "cross-platform", meaning they will work on both systems. For those that are not, however, there are some other possible solutions.

Older Macs need to be upgraded to the latest Mac OS X version and may need some help from inexpensive software like 'softWindows" or the like.

SoftWindows is an old Mac OS 9 or earlier application that will not run on most modern Macs. While it may be possible to run SoftWindows in 'Classic' mode in Mac OS X 10.4 or earlier on PowerPC-based Macs, essentially Windows would be running under two layers of emulation (Windows running inside SoftWindows running inside Mac OS 9 running inside Mac OS X), making it unusable, at best.

Microsoft also makes a program called Virtual PC, which can be purchased with a copy of Windows XP or 2000 in it. It can be used on OS9 or higher on PowerPC-based Macs. Virtual PC has been discontinued, but it may still be available in some places. Be warned that Virtual PC is an emulation product, and will perform very slowly -- at about 20% - 30% of the native hardware speed of the host Mac.

The new Intel-based Macs will run Windows using programs such as Apple's Boot Camp (part of Mac OS X 10.5 'Leopard'), Parallels Desktop for Mac, or VMWare Fusion. There are also open source projects WINE and Darwine that are working to allow Windows programs to run on non-windows computers (Linux, Mac OS, etc) without have Windows installed at all.

Parallels Desktop for Mac - This software enables you to use Windows and Mac OS X at the same time. You can even drag and drop files between desktops.

See more information here: http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/

I think leopard now ships with boot camp pre installed which makes it even easier to install windows

Yes leopard ships with bootcamp. All you need is a copy of windows to install. This is by far the best method as others (i.e. parallels etc) don't run everything and tend to be a bit sluggish.

• How come it always say The selected file couldnt be imported to use as your display picture Please be sure that the file is a valid picture format when I try to change my display picture for imac msn?
• The Arrangement tab of Displays preferences is hidden because this computer does not support an extended desktop but you have displayed two separate monitors on your ibook before What is wrong?
• What are the nutritious of apple?