Running windows on MacBook

jm240

jm240

jm240

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Joined
7 Nov 2004
Posts
299
Hi all I have a quick question,

Is it possible to literally dual boot the new Macbook air / pro with Windows 7 and have it run windows 7 just as good as any other laptop or are their limitations?

Also what do you use to achieve this, is it boot camp? I'm guessing boot camp is just a boot manager and I take it you have to buy a full retail copy of Windows 7 to install it on the MacBook?

Thanks ever so much!
 
You're basically right. It will work with an OEM version but I strongly suggest you stick with retail copies.

There are no limitations as such, but Apples driver support tends to be a bit crap.
 
Ok great, so what does that mean in real terms? Is there a specific piece of hardware on the macbook pro / air that has issues under windows? Or are you talking about more added peripherals?

I want a new laptop to do my college work on at home instead of having to use public computers.

I want to make sure that a Macbook can handle the primary task which will be to run Microsoft Office and word process.
 
I run Win 7 on my Macbook Pro and it runs fine other than the fact it drains the battery in about 2 hours rather than 7. My boss does the same on his MacBook Air and it's totally fine for Outllok/Word/etc.
 
POB said:
Laptops can switch off the dedicated graphics cards and use the on CPU Intel HD graphics to save power.
Click to expand...

So essentially, the lack of GPU switching means reduced battery life which is the reason for sending the MBP back?
 
jm240 said:
Hi all I have a quick question,

Is it possible to literally dual boot the new Macbook air / pro with Windows 7 and have it run windows 7 just as good as any other laptop or are their limitations?

Also what do you use to achieve this, is it boot camp? I'm guessing boot camp is just a boot manager and I take it you have to buy a full retail copy of Windows 7 to install it on the MacBook?

Thanks ever so much!
Click to expand...

If all you want is Office why not get Office 2011 for Mac? Best version yet. Ribbon looks a bit weird in OS X, but I have used it since release and it's OK.

If it must be the Windows version of Office, then rather than Dual Boot, run Windows in a virtual machine. I have Windows 7 running in a VM nearly all the time, mostly to run Outlook and also let me do Windowsy things if/when I need to from my MBP. No need to worry about graphics switching or hardware drivers - plus you don't have to reboot.

I use Parallels for my VMs on my MBP. VMWare has Fusion which does much the same thing. Apples [ha!] and Oranges. There is also free VM software, such as VirtualBox. However, Parallels and Fusion have features that make the guest OS programs look like any other OS X program [you can move them between screens, minimise etc without needing to "go into" the guest OS].
 
SiriusB said:
If all you want is Office why not get Office 2011 for Mac? Best version yet. Ribbon looks a bit weird in OS X, but I have used it since release and it's OK.

If it must be the Windows version of Office, then rather than Dual Boot, run Windows in a virtual machine. I have Windows 7 running in a VM nearly all the time, mostly to run Outlook and also let me do Windowsy things if/when I need to from my MBP. No need to worry about graphics switching or hardware drivers - plus you don't have to reboot.

I use Parallels for my VMs on my MBP. VMWare has Fusion which does much the same thing. Apples [ha!] and Oranges. There is also free VM software, such as VirtualBox. However, Parallels and Fusion have features that make the guest OS programs look like any other OS X program [you can move them between screens, minimise etc without needing to "go into" the guest OS].
Click to expand...

Eventually I will need my MBP to do programming on, perhaps use disassemblers, various different compilers etc etc and I can't see virtualisation being sufficient for these kind of tasks.

I love the build quality of the MBP so much even though I know that really I should be buying a PC laptop. If the MBP can be dual booted to run windows properly then MBP should be a fine choice.
 
jm240 said:
Also, out of interest; what did you end up buying instead of a MBP?
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Dell Vostro was my existing one.

I needed a Mac to develop a few iPhone app ideas for my company.

So based on the assumption a £1,600 laptop would be better then my current one, I ordered the MBP. On paper it was a little faster then my current Dell.

As it ran windows worse then my current one, it went back and I will get a Mac Mini.
 
I suggest you take a careful look at the Apple keyboard if you intend to program on it and have never used one before. I hated it. And I wouldn't rule out virtualisation for CPU intensive tasks, you're probably best trying it out you might be surprised.
 
/Eventually I will need my MBP to do programming on, perhaps use disassemblers, various different compilers etc etc and I can't see virtualisation being sufficient for these kind of tasks.
Click to expand...

Couldn't disagree more. For development environments you simply cannot beat virtualisation.
 
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