Apple Quietly Intros 64-Bit Windows Support in Boot Camp

MacRumors · Jan 21, 2008, 12:07 PM

Apple has started quietly shipping 64-bit Windows Vista drivers with the install disks of the latest Mac Pros which were just released earlier this month. The installation instructions that come with the new Mac Pros specify this new feature:

Quote:

Important: You must use a single full-install Windows installation disc (Service Pack 2 is required for Windows XP installations). Do not use an upgrade version of Windows and do not install an earlier version of Windows XP and attempt to update it later to SP2 or later. Use only 32-bit versions of Windows. If you have a Mac Pro introduced in late 2007 or later, you can use a 64-bit version of Windows Vista.

The finding has been confirmed by multiple users. No indication if these drivers will become available with the next Mac OS X update. Mac OS X 10.5.2 has been undergoing testing and is expected to be released in the coming weeks.

Article Link

Peace · Jan 21, 2008, 12:09 PM

Does this mean the 64-bit windows will see all the Mac Pros memory above 2Gigs ?

donlphi · Jan 21, 2008, 12:10 PM

Is Windows Vista in high demand for Mac Owners? Not trying to be a fan boy, just curious about what has come out for Vista that OS X isn't going to be able to run or even a better question... what is Vista going to run that XP isn't going to run.

MS Access?

guzhogi · Jan 21, 2008, 12:15 PM

What about other Macs? Aren't all the other Macs 64-bit too?

thejadedmonkey · Jan 21, 2008, 12:16 PM

Good. Now how about some updated ATI graphic drivers for the Macbook Pro's...

LeviG · Jan 21, 2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donlphi

Is Windows Vista in high demand for Mac Owners? Not trying to be a fan boy, just curious about what has come out for Vista that OS X isn't going to be able to run or even a better question... what is Vista going to run that XP isn't going to run.

MS Access?

I would say its more 64 bit support which is important here and vista is the better option for this, xp 64bit never really got the drivers it needed. Anybody buying a mac pro is likely using it for workstation class programs and as such benefits from increased ram and performance (on supporting programs) etc that 64 bit offers over 32 bit.

Personally I've got 64bit vista (not on a mac) purely for these reasons.

cbrain · Jan 21, 2008, 12:18 PM

If this was introduced onto existing Macs with an update, we would probably have to start burning driver discs again instead of using the ones on the Leopard disc.

I wonder if XP Pro 64-bit works.

rockinrocker · Jan 21, 2008, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrain

I wonder if XP Pro 64-bit works.

i'm wondering this too, since xp64 is far and away the best version of windows out there (driver support or not). hopefully if more people use it developers will start to get on board....

samh004 · Jan 21, 2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donlphi

Is Windows Vista in high demand for Mac Owners? Not trying to be a fan boy, just curious about what has come out for Vista that OS X isn't going to be able to run or even a better question... what is Vista going to run that XP isn't going to run.

MS Access?

Perhaps Apple has just worked out a deal with Microsoft, helping them transition users from XP to Vista as they're having problems right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by guzhogi

What about other Macs? Aren't all the other Macs 64-bit too?

I thought so, I hope it's introduced for other macs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrain

If this was introduced onto existing Macs with an update, we would probably have to start burning driver discs again instead of using the ones on the Leopard disc.

That's inevitable anyway as a better driver could be built, or support for something that wasn't supported before could be released. And who knows, those drivers could become available through a software update on the windows side instead anyway.

roland.g · Jan 21, 2008, 12:24 PM

Windows isn't worth 2 bits, let alone 64. Why buy a Mac Pro to Boot Camp Windows on, whatever flavor it is?

TheThirdMan · Jan 21, 2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Windows isn't worth 2 bits, let alone 64. Why buy a Mac Pro to Boot Camp Windows on, whatever flavor it is?

For 3D apps. 3ds max, zBrush, Mudbox and many other 3d apps are windows only.

This is the one announcement concerning the Mac Pro I've been waiting for. Now i can run 3ds max and it'll support more than 3gb of ram!

Quote:

Anybody buying a mac pro is likely using it for workstation class programs and as such benefits from increased ram and performance (on supporting programs) etc that 64 bit offers over 32 bit.

Precisely.

aLoC · Jan 21, 2008, 12:28 PM

64-bit Vista - that means Vista Ultimate right? Which is pretty pricey...

Peace · Jan 21, 2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aLoC

64-bit Vista - that means Vista Ultimate right? Which is pretty pricey...

Vista Ultimate isn't 64-bit.The 64-bit version is though.

TBi · Jan 21, 2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aLoC

64-bit Vista - that means Vista Ultimate right? Which is pretty pricey...

I think all versions of Vista have a 64-bit equivalent.

daddywags214 · Jan 21, 2008, 12:35 PM

Late 2007 . . . hmm, I bought mine in September of 2006. Damn.

sickracer2015 · Jan 21, 2008, 12:36 PM

Just bring in a blank CD and burn a drivers CD from one of the new Mac Pro's there.

cokersa · Jan 21, 2008, 12:36 PM

So 64 bit support for the new Mac Pro (not "old" Mac Pro) and 8800GT support for the new Mac Pro (not "old" Mac Pro). I'm really feeling the love here...

aLoC · Jan 21, 2008, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBi

I think all versions of Vista have a 64-bit equivalent.

Ah Ok, Ultimate is the only one that comes with it in the box, but you can order it separately for the other editions.

Eidorian · Jan 21, 2008, 12:37 PM

Apple should just push a new disc image via Software Update. I don't want them to play games like only Mac Pro buyers are smart enough to buy 64-bit Windows.

Daveoc64 · Jan 21, 2008, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickracer2015

Just bring in a blank CD and burn a drivers CD from one of the new Mac Pro's there.

I don't think you can burn a driver CD in Leopard, so that wouldn't work.

kinless · 12:51 PM

Holy crap that's hilarious.

I just got my 8-core Mac Pro last week, and I was going to install Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit this weekend, even though I didn't think it was supported. Had no idea that they made 64-bit drivers.

What a nice surprise. Thanks, Apple.

~j

djinn · Jan 21, 2008, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peace

Does this mean the 64-bit windows will see all the Mac Pros memory above 2Gigs ?

If your running a SR laptop, yes.

loveturtle · Jan 21, 2008, 12:54 PM

What's the big deal? I have 64bit vista installed on my late 2006 mac pro and have for months. Wow, Apple released drivers, congrats...now my volume keys have a little OSD. *claps*

AppleMojo · Jan 21, 2008, 12:56 PM

Finally, 16 nibbles of pure bitness!

hob · Jan 21, 2008, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbrain

If this was introduced onto existing Macs with an update, we would probably have to start burning driver discs again instead of using the ones on the Leopard disc.

I wonder if XP Pro 64-bit works.

That was going to happen eventually anyway! Drivers wouldn't stay the same until OS X 10.6 is released...!

Jan 21, 2008, 12:10 PM	#3
donlphi macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2006 Location: Seattle (M$ Country)	Is Windows Vista in high demand for Mac Owners? Not trying to be a fan boy, just curious about what has come out for Vista that OS X isn't going to be able to run or even a better question... what is Vista going to run that XP isn't going to run. MS Access? __________________ 8Mhz Mac Classic, 933Mhz PowerMac G4 Quicksilver, 2.33Ghz Macbook Pro, 2 x 2.8 Quad Core Mac Pro, Dell Mini 9 Hackintosh, Slingbox Pro, AppleTV, 32GB iPhone 3g S⃣

Jan 21, 2008, 12:16 PM	#5
thejadedmonkey macrumors 68040 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Pa	Good. Now how about some updated ATI graphic drivers for the Macbook Pro's... __________________ Mac Mini G4 • MacBook Pro • iPod Nano "Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement. - Mark Twain

Jan 21, 2008, 12:18 PM	#7
cbrain macrumors 65816 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North-East, UK	If this was introduced onto existing Macs with an update, we would probably have to start burning driver discs again instead of using the ones on the Leopard disc. I wonder if XP Pro 64-bit works. __________________ "Bring on the trumpets!" Late 2006 iMac 2.16 GHz Core 2 Duo i are MRoogle cat. please you step into MRoogle now. ToDo: Subscribe again.

Jan 21, 2008, 12:24 PM	#10
roland.g macrumors 68040 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: One mile up and soaring	Windows isn't worth 2 bits, let alone 64. Why buy a Mac Pro to Boot Camp Windows on, whatever flavor it is? __________________ I know this because Tyler knows this. You are not a beautiful snowflake. You are the same decaying matter as everything else.

Jan 21, 2008, 12:35 PM	#15
daddywags214 macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2006	Late 2007 . . . hmm, I bought mine in September of 2006. Damn. __________________ Mac Pro/MacBook Air/iPhone 3G S

Jan 21, 2008, 12:09 PM	#2
Peace macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: On top of the Storm Peaks waiting for the Time-Lost Proto Drake	Does this mean the 64-bit windows will see all the Mac Pros memory above 2Gigs ?

Jan 21, 2008, 12:15 PM	#4
guzhogi macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2003	What about other Macs? Aren't all the other Macs 64-bit too?

Jan 21, 2008, 12:28 PM	#12
aLoC macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2006	64-bit Vista - that means Vista Ultimate right? Which is pretty pricey...

Jan 21, 2008, 12:36 PM	#16
sickracer2015 macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2003	burn driver disk at a local mac store Just bring in a blank CD and burn a drivers CD from one of the new Mac Pro's there.

Jan 21, 2008, 12:36 PM	#17
cokersa macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Kansas City	So 64 bit support for the new Mac Pro (not "old" Mac Pro) and 8800GT support for the new Mac Pro (not "old" Mac Pro). I'm really feeling the love here... __________________ Mac Pro 2.66, 3GB, 3870, Dell 2407

Jan 21, 2008, 12:37 PM	#19
Eidorian macrumors G3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Indiana	Apple should just push a new disc image via Software Update. I don't want them to play games like only Mac Pro buyers are smart enough to buy 64-bit Windows. __________________ MRoogle it! hikari T7500 2.2 GHz / 4 GB / 320 GB / GMA X3100 / 10.5.8 chobimaru Core i5 750 2.66 GHz / 4 GB / 640 GB / 4830 / Windows 7

Jan 21, 2008, 12:42 PM	#21
kinless macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: San Juan Capistrano, California	Holy crap that's hilarious. I just got my 8-core Mac Pro last week, and I was going to install Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit this weekend, even though I didn't think it was supported. Had no idea that they made 64-bit drivers. What a nice surprise. Thanks, Apple. ~j __________________ Joey's HomePage www.kinless.com Upgraded from 1998 Beige G3 to 2008 Mac Pro Last edited by kinless : Jan 21, 2008 at 12:51 PM.

Jan 21, 2008, 12:54 PM	#23
loveturtle macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Florida	What's the big deal? I have 64bit vista installed on my late 2006 mac pro and have for months. Wow, Apple released drivers, congrats...now my volume keys have a little OSD. claps

Jan 21, 2008, 12:56 PM	#24
AppleMojo macrumors regular Join Date: May 2007	Finally, 16 nibbles of pure bitness! __________________ For me, random number generation is just too darn important to be left up to chance.

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