If you’re a Mac owner curious to give Windows 8 a whirl but can't afford a new PC, follow our guide to find out just how easy it is to install Windows 8 on a Mac.

Even if you’re a hardcore Apple aficionado, it’s hard not to be a little curious about what’s new in Windows 8. In fact, earlier in June, we asked whether a Mac could be the best Windows 8 laptop. Whether you’d like to check out all the possibilities of the new integrated apps, or you just want to poke around in the radically redesigned interface, it’s easy to install Windows 8 on a Mac and take it for a test run. And the best part? Thanks to how easy it is to dual-boot, there’s no need to commit to Windows 8 at all. You’ll be able to flip back to your regular Mac OS at any time.

We’ve talked about what features we love in Windows 8, as well as all the annoying Windows 8 quirks, but the best way to see if Windows 8 is right for you is to try it for yourself. Here’s how…

Dual-Booting: Operating System vs. Computer

First, before we get into the nitty-gritty details, it’s important to understand the difference between an operating system (like OS X Mountain Lion, or Windows 8) and a computer itself. Many users don’t realize that it’s possible to have multiple operating systems running on the same computer. But it’s easy to understand if you think of it this way: Your computer is like a physical building, while the operating system is like a business running out of that building. Just like a single building can hold multiple businesses, a single computer can run multiple operating systems — you just need to switch between them. Having two operating systems on the same computer is called dual-booting, because you can boot up either OS whenever you turn on the computer. 

How to get Boot Camp Assistant

It’s remarkably easy to install Windows 8 on a Mac using a program called Boot Camp, which Apple provides for free. All you need is an Intel-based Mac computer running Mac OS X 10.6 or later. If you need to check if your computer is Intel-based, simply select “About this Mac” from the Apple menu and make sure your processor is made by Intel. 

If your operating system is up to date, Boot Camp Assistant should already be installed. Just look under the “Utilities” folder under “Applications.” If you can’t find it, select the Apple menu, and then choose “Software Update” to update your operating system to the newest version.

Installing Windows 8 from scratch using Boot Camp

 It’s a snap. Just follow the steps below:

 1. Make sure your machine meets the Windows 8 system requirements.

While most of these specs shouldn’t pose a problem for newer computers, the hard disk space requirement of a minimum of 16GB (32-bit) or 20GB (64-bit) may pose a challenge if you’re already running out of space. Keep in mind that since you’ll be dual-booting, you’ll probably need a little extra room on your hard drive.

 2. Buy a copy of Windows 8.

This step might be a little harder — at least for your budget. While Microsoft is offering upgrades to previous versions of Windows for only $39.99 through the end of January 2013, a brand new retail version of Windows 8 is rumored to run you $199. However, Newegg.com currently has Windows 8 Pro on sale for $139, and Windows 8 Enterprise for $99. Unsure which version is right for you? Windows 8 Pro boasts benefits such as data encryption and remote desktop abilities; but for most casual users, Enterprise should do the trick just fine. Be forewarned, however: retail versions of Windows 8 are not available as digital downloads, so if you have a computer without a DVD drive — such as a Mac Mini, Macbook Air, or newer Macbook Pro — you’ll need to connect an external drive to perform the install. 

3. Use Boot Camp to create a new hard drive partition.

If this step throws you for a loop, you can always consult Apple’s official guide. Remember our business-in-a-building analogy from earlier? Creating a hard drive partition is like clearing enough floor space in the building for another business to set up shop. In other words, you’re just setting aside room for the new operating system.

Once you’ve started up Boot Camp, simply select the size of the partition you’d like to make. We recommend around 30GB for Windows 8, but remember that you’ll need at bare minimum of 16GB (for 32-bit) or 20GB (for 64-bit). Boot Camp will create the partition automatically without erasing any of your existing data.

4. Install Windows 8 using Boot Camp.

Again within Boot Camp, select the option “Start Windows Installer,” and then insert your Windows 8 disc. The rest of the installation wizard should flow fairly smoothly. There’s only one caveat to watch out for: When asked where to install Windows 8, make sure you don’t choose the partition where you currently have your Mac OS X installed. Doing so would erase all your existing data. The correct partition for installation will be labeled “BOOTCAMP” in all caps.

5. Flip between Mac OS X and Windows 8 to your heart’s content.

After installation, your computer will automatically restart into Windows 8, where you can customize your shiny new operating system. From now on, whenever you want to switch into the opposite operating system, simply restart your computer and hold down the Option key while it’s booting up. Experiment and enjoy!

Research In Motion boss Thorsten Heins has announced that devices running the firm's next-generation OS, BlackBerry 10, are now being tested by carriers around the world, keeping it on course for release early next year. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has said it will continue to use BlackBerry devices in its work.

It’s encouraging. It’s a step in the right direction. It might mean Research In Motion (RIM) really will fulfill its promise of a first-quarter 2013 launch of its next-generation BlackBerry 10 OS and handsets.

RIM CEO Thorsten Heins announced in a statement on Wednesday that handsets running the new OS were now being tested by more than 50 carriers worldwide.

Heins said reaching the testing phase meant the company had “passed a critical milestone” in the development of its new mobile computing platform.

“The hard work will not stop here as we build towards launch,” Heins said in the statement, adding, “Our developer teams are continuing to generate momentum to bring a wealth of applications to BlackBerry 10, our enterprise teams have started to present BlackBerry 10 devices and services to our business customers, and our engineers are fully mobilized to ensure that BlackBerry 10 launches flawlessly in the first quarter of 2013.”

In an interview with the BBC last week, Heins urged consumers not to underestimate “the dynamic [BlackBerry 10] is going to create in the market.”

In other news involving the mobile company, the Pentagon made clear this week that it would carry on supporting “large numbers” of BlackBerry handsets despite going ahead with plans to allow the US military to use other devices such as the iPhone.

“The Defense Information Systems Agency is managing an enterprise email capability that continues to support large numbers of RIM devices,” a spokesman told Reuters this week. A number of government agencies and businesses have said in the last year they would be issuing staff with iOS or Android devices, ending long-standing contracts with BlackBerry. While the Pentagon also appears to be relaxing its association with RIM, things are so serious at the Canadian company that the defense agency’s announcement that it’s not switching entirely to rival devices will actually be perceived as good news by many.

The BlackBerry was once the phone of choice for many agencies and firms thanks largely to its strong security features. However, security on rival handsets such as Apple’s iPhone and a number of Android-powered devices has improved over time, offering an alternative to the BlackBerry.

The launch of RIM’s next-generation OS and handsets is its make-or-break moment. Perhaps the Canadian mobile maker – once the country’s most valuable company – can still turn things around, remain a viable player in the mobile game and consequently help to keep competitors on their toes.

In an effort to promote the imminent release of Halo 4, Microsoft has transformed large swaths of the Principality Of Liechtenstein into setting straight out of the company's most iconic franchise.

If you’re not immediately familiar with the Principality Of Liechtenstein, don’t fret: Unless you’ve got a thing for the nuances of European history or a fetish for tiny, land-locked countries, there’s very little to note about the modern Liechtenstein. Then again, if you’re a fan of Microsoft’s Halo franchise, you may suddenly be finding yourself tempted to book a sight-seeing trip to the miniscule nation.

Why? Because Microsoft recently transformed a number of Liechtenstein’s most iconic landmarks into gaudy promotional pieces for Halo 4.

According to an official announcement issued by Microsoft this morning, on October 29 the company effectively rented huge sections of Liechtenstein (including Gutenberg Castle, which dates back to the 13th century, and a working mine) to create something akin to a live-action roleplaying recreation of the Halo gaming series. Actors led small groups of dedicated Halo fans (and media) through various warzones Microsoft had set up in and around Liechtenstein’s landmarks. These tours reportedly lasted for two-plus hours and while none of the visiting fans were given a chance to gun down hostile aliens, the adventures did involve “decoding a series of cryptic clues to help save mankind from extinction by fighting off the threat of an attack.”

And why did Microsoft spend what must have been a massive amount of cash to occupy a small European nation for a day? Spectacle. Pure spectacle.

“Halo is a $3 billion blockbuster franchise that has shaped entertainment history and defined a generation of gamers,” said Microsoft’s European vice president of interactive entertainment Chris Lewis. “From the world’s first-ever red-carpet premieres for a video game to sending a man strapped to a jet pack 50 feet above London’s iconic skyline, Halo launches have continually broken the mold, and we are back with a colossal bang for Halo 4, transforming a country on the biggest scale imaginable.”

Say what you will about this promotional stunt, but Lewis does have a very valid point: Transforming a country, even one like Liechtenstein which has a mere 36,000 citizens, does set the bar pretty high for any future promotional efforts. We could possibly see Activision doing something on this scale for a Call Of Duty sequel, but beyond that it’s hard to imagine any other company topping this. Of course, that also makes it rather difficult for Microsoft’s PR team to come up with some imaginative new stunt that might eclipse this effort whenever the company gets around to releasing the inevitable Halo 5, but they’ll spectacularly detonate that bridge when they get to it.

Whether Microsoft’s willingness to rain down precious tourism dollars on the people of Liechtenstein (they’re called “Liechtensteiner” and “Liechtensteinerin,” depending on whether they’re male or female, respectively) has convinced you to pick up a copy of Halo 4 on November 6 is entirely up to you, but before you earmark the necessary $60 you should know that our review of Halo 4 will appear at 12:01AM PST tonight. I’m not writing it so I couldn’t offer any spoilers even if I wanted to, but I have to assume that, if nothing else, our official look at the game will provide far more solid, useful information than might be garnered from watching a rented Master Chief strip the dignity from an eight-century-old castle simply by his mere presence.

The new LG Nexus 4 has arrived, and with it comes a question about whether or not the new Nexus upstages the previous flagship device that is the Samsung Galaxy S3.

While both devices have some similarities, there are some pretty key differences here as well. Let’s take a quick look at specs, dimensions and the software running inside to get a better idea of how the two Android phones really compare next to each other.

Weight and Dimensions

Both devices are large-screen phones that still have a fairly sleek and sexy overall design. The Nexus 4 probably has a design that is going to appeal to those looking for more eye candy though.

As for actual size, the Galaxy S3 is thinner at .34-inches, versus the Nexus 4′s .36-inch thickness. Weight wise, the Galaxy S3 is also just 133g, while the Nexus 4 is a bit heavier at 139 grams. Is this a HUGE difference? For most of us, probably not.

Display

Pretty close here. The 4.7-inch Nexus 4 has a 1280 x 768 display with a ppi of 318. In contrast, with the Galaxy S3 you get a 4.8-inch 306ppi device with a resolution of 1280 x 720.

Processor and RAM

With the Nexus 4 you have a Quad-Core Qualcomm S4 running at 1.5GHz with 2GB of RAM.

As for the S3? It depends. In the North American market you get a Qualcom S4 dual-core at 1.5GHz with 2GB of RAM. As for the international market, you get a quad-core Exynos at 1.4GHz with just 1GB of RAM.

While the Nexus 4 might be a little faster here, it’s really hard to say for sure considering the major differences between the international and North American Galaxy S3.

Storage

Honestly, the Samsung Galaxy S3 really wins here. You have 16/32/64GB choices and can expand the memory even further with an SD slot. As for the Nexus 4? No SD slot and only 8 and 16GB storage sizes.

Battery

Actually, the batteries in both devices are 2100 mAh. That being said, the Nexus 4 doesn’t have LTE so it might actually perform better. Probably too early to call for sure.

Wireless

Unfortunately, the LG Nexus 4 just has HSPA+ 42 and no 4G LTE. This might not matter to you if you are in a region that doesn’t have 4G LTE, though. In many ways HSPA+ 21 and 42 are more widespread than LTE anyhow.

This is probably where preferences are really going to kick in hard. If you absolutely want LTE… the Samsung Galaxy S3 wins here.

Cameras

The Nexus 4 gives us an 8MP rear cam and 1.3MP front cam. The Galaxy S3 has an 8MP rear cam and a 1.9MP front cam. At least on paper, these two devices are pretty on par in this category.

Operating System

While both devices are running Android, many markets have yet to even get Android 4.1 Jelly Bean delivered to the Samsung Galaxy S3 yet– let alone the new Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update. While there isn’t that major for some users, it is still another factor to consider. If you want the latest version of Android, the Nexus 4 has it and the Galaxy S3 still doesn’t. Also worth noting, the Galaxy S3 has the TouchWiz interface, while you get a vanilla Android experience with Nexus devices.

So Which Wins?

Honestly, there is no clear winner here. If you want a solid device that is fast and has the latest version of Android but don’t care about LTE, you might certainly want an LG Nexus 4.

If you want more storage space and 4G LTE (in select markets) then you might want to consider the Samsung Galaxy S3. What is great about Android devices is that there is a wide variety out there, which makes it easy to find something tailored directly to what you are looking for. Which do you prefer, the Galaxy S3 or the new LG Nexus 4?