"Boot Camp" can refer to different things, but generally, military boot camps are temporary training (a few months) to transition you to service, while Apple's Boot Camp software for running Windows on Intel Macs is being phased out on newer Apple Silicon (M-series) Macs, requiring virtualization like Parallels instead; the term itself signifies an intensive, initial phase, not necessarily permanent status, but the military experience leads to a permanent career.
Basic Training consists of four phases over 10 weeks, where you'll learn about the Army and train to become a Soldier. Once completed, your day-to-day will focus more on what's required for your specific job, as well as pursuing your personal goals and interests.
WARNING: When Windows is removed, the Windows partition—as well as all data stored in the partition—is erased permanently.
While Boot Camp is still supported in Ventura, you won't find it on an M1 or M2 Mac. If a user wants to run Windows on one of those newer Macs, the solution is to use the Arm-version of Windows through virtualization software.
Boot Camp is not available on Apple silicon Macs. Via virtualization, it is possible to run ARM-based Windows 10 or Windows 11.
Are bootcamps worth it? The Short Answer is Yes – coding bootcamp alumni earn ~51% higher salaries compared to their previous jobs! On average, graduates earn $70,698 at their 1st job after bootcamp; that rises to $80,943 at their 2nd job after bootcamp and $99,229 at their 3rd job.
Yes, your Mac might be too old to update to the latest macOS, but it can still run older, supported versions for security, with official support typically ending for models 7+ years old, though security updates cease a few years after an OS stops being the newest; check "About This Mac" for your model year and compare with Apple's compatibility list, or use tools like OpenCore Legacy Patcher for unsupported hardware.
It won't affect your macOS installation at all except to reduce the disk partition size. Your Windows installation will run pretty much like running Windows on any other PC. Boot Camp doesn't slow it down, it just makes it possible.
Disadvantages for Participants
Participating in boot camps can come with certain disadvantages that individuals should carefully consider before committing to such programs. These disadvantages include intense physical demands, emotional and mental stress, and a lack of long-term support.
The bootcamp tool itself is free, but when you install Windows on boot camp, you do need a valid Windows license.
From the Apple menu in the corner of your screen, choose System Settings. Click General in the sidebar. Scroll down on the right and click Transfer or Reset. Click Erase All Content and Settings.
Once the reset is complete, you'll see the Activate Mac screen, indicating that your MacBook has been reset to factory settings and can now be sold or recycled. If you're keeping the laptop or want to set it up to give to a family member, you can use the Setup Assistant to begin the setup process from scratch.
After you arrive at boot camp, your fate still isn't sealed. Even though you're now on active duty, Army command can let you go without penalty during your first 180 days of service. The official term for this is entry-level separation.
After completion of 6 years TIS, Sailors may then be transitioned to the IRR to serve the remainder of their MSO. On a typical 8-year contract, this would amount to 4 years of active duty, 2 years of SELRES, and 2 years of IRR; hence the popular 4-2-2.
The next phase of training after boot camp is SOI, or School of Infantry.
New enlistments sign up for a Military Service Obligation (MSO). Contracts may vary from two to six years of service in active duty, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard.
The answer is yes for the right person. If you are ready to commit fully, want to break into tech quickly and prefer structured learning, bootcamps are one of the most effective paths in 2025. They are not easy, they are not cheap and they are not a shortcut.
Ranking of hardest military boot camps: What's the scoop?
Performance. The major advantage of using Boot Camp for running Windows on a Mac when compared to a virtual machine shows up when it comes to performance.
With Boot Camp, you can install Microsoft Windows 10 on your Intel-based Mac, then switch between macOS and Windows when restarting your Mac.
Is putting a Mac to sleep better than turning it off? A good rule of thumb is that if you're only going to be away from your Mac for an hour or two or even overnight, letting it sleep is probably the best method. Any longer than that and you'll want to power it down.
A 10-year-old iMac (around 2015 or older) is generally not recommended for primary use due to significant security risks, lack of modern software support, and slow performance, but can still work for very light, offline tasks like basic browsing or media viewing if upgraded (SSD, RAM) and with caution. Its main drawbacks are no new macOS updates (meaning no security patches), incompatibility with new apps (Office, Slack), and slow speeds, making it vulnerable and frustrating for anything beyond simple web surfing or video streaming, notes Forbes.
A 7-year-old MacBook can still be "good" for basic tasks, but it's nearing or past Apple's "vintage" status, meaning slower performance, potential lack of the latest macOS, limited app compatibility, and ending hardware/security support, making it a gamble for modern security unless used lightly with added security software like Malwarebytes, say Intego and Macworld. It's okay for simple browsing or writing, but intensive tasks and future-proofing become a problem as newer software demands more power, so consider an upgrade if you need more.
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer. The crown for the oldest supported MacBook goes to the MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016). Yes, you read that right. This model may seem like “senior” status in the tech world, but it's still capable of running macOS Ventura!