In a stunning move, BAPCo, the industry-standard Windows benchmarking consortium, announced that Apple Computer has joined up as a member.  BAPCo is responsible for the SYSmark 2004SE and MobileMark benchmark suites we use at PC Magazine Labs for testing PCs.  BAPCo also produces the webserver test WEBmark.

BAPCo members include AMD, Intel, Transmeta, ATI, nVidia, Microsoft, Ziff Davis Media, CNET, Dell, HP, Toshiba, Seagate, VNU, Atheros, and ARCintuition.  These heavy hitters cooperate on determining and developing testing methodologies, using industry standard programs like Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and 3ds max.  The SYSmark and MobileMark benchmarks are used as performance tests by media outlets, corporations, and government agencies worldwide.

This is significant because it means that Apple has now committed to Windows-based performance testing, and it will influence industry-standard testing methodologies going forward, possibly including Mac OS X testing.  We speculate that Apple will now develop Windows drivers for Intel Macs like the iMac, Mac mini and MacBook Pro with Intel Core Duo processors.  You will probably still need to buy your own copy of Windows XP (or Vista), but this is exciting stuff.

We've seen rumors that Apple will include virtualization technology in Mac Os X 10.5 (Leopard), but benchmarks like SYSmark and MobileMark don't work well in virtualized environments since they use ultilities that call low level processes (like anti-virus).  This bodes well for native Windows support on Macs in the future.

Note: this is not an official splashscreen; we cobbled it together by adding an Apple logo to the member list.

Disclosure: As stated above, Ziff Davis Media (parent company of PC Magazine and Gearlog) is a member of BAPCo.

Updated 4/24/06: If you're interested in info and benchmarks for Boot Camp, Apple's official method for running Windows XP on Macs, read Cisco Cheng's report on PCMag.com.

Updated 4/25/06: It's now official! Check out Bapco's website for the updated splash screen and logos.

If you're among the 73% of laptop owners who own at least two computers, then you've probably struggled with having important data on both computers, but have to constantly go back and forth on each to retrieve that data.

With Belkin's Flip, you can share one monitor, keyboard, and mouse between two computers. Just press the remote to switch from one computer to the other. There are three different Flip models: Flip PS/2 ($49.99), Flip PS/2 with Audio ($59.99), and Flip USB with audio ($59.99, shown here). The last two models let you share one set of speakers between computers.

The Flip features:

• Instant connectivity to laptops and desktops
• Support for high video resolutions up to 2048 x 1536
• Support for monitors with VGA connections
• 2-color LED that indicates which computer Flip is accessing
• Belkin 3-Year Warranty

The Flip also helps reduce the clutter of cables or wires. It's expected to ship in the U.S. early next month. Compatible with both Macs and Windows PCs.