Anyone using Windows XP with iMac 2011?

[jafingi]

Hi,

When I'm buying my new iMac, I will sometimes use it for gaming (Counter Strike 1.6).

Just wanted to know, if anyone has installed Windows XP 32-bit on it, or will it not work?

 

[Raid]

Any new mac you get should be capable of running Windows XP just fine. I suggest using a Bootcamp partition on your iMac.

 

[likegadgets]

On my 2011 iMac I am running Windows 7. But on my 2011 MacBook Pro I am running XP (SP3). I run the Windows OS as virtual machines using Parallels. You can also run either on a bootcamp partition.

 

[qCzar]

When I went in with my sister so she could pick up a 2011 MacBook Pro, the Apple Store Employee said it would only run Windows 7 via BootCamp due to the architecture or something. Ask an Apple Store Employee or talk to a representative online.

I'm pretty sure it will only run W7 via BootCamp.
You could always get W7 Ultimate for the Windows XP Mode (however well that'd work out for you 😉)

 

[johnfkitchen]

Windows XP doesn't support the modern hardware (Sandy Bridge) in the new iMacs. So you can't run it in Boot Camp.

You can run XP under VMware Fusion or Parallels, since they create a virtual environment which hides the details of the hardware. However, the performance of a virtualized XP system may not meet gaming expectations.

The best answer is to use Windows 7

 

[bpeeps]

Any new mac you get should be capable of running Windows XP just fine. I suggest using a Bootcamp partition on your iMac.

Bootcamp on the 2011 won't run Windows XP, a VM will though.

 

[Raid]

Bootcamp on the 2011 won't run Windows XP, a VM will though.

This article says there's a problem with Boot Camp and XP service pack 3, but it has directions on how to get by the error.

Honestly I don't know if the above fix works or not, but I've been using a Boot Camp partition since it's beta and it's worked for me. The reason why I suggested Boot Camp over a VM is that even the best VM's seem to bog down running games (even old ones like CS). IMHO Boot Camp is the way to go for mostly hassle free gaming.

<edit> After a brief google attempt, there are some musings that Sandy bridge Macs don't play nice with XP but nothing from a source I would call 'reliable'. Apple's support and discussion pages don't really seem to say anything about it either. 😕 </edit>

 

[iLog.Genius]

From this thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1164412/

XP will install but there are some issues with drivers that some might or might not be able to get by. The OP never did respond back to if he was able to the wireless card, ethernet and bluetooth to install but everything else works.

 

[Lagmonster]

CS will not be a problem at all. And if you want to play CS:S on OSX, that will run very well.

 

[Raikun]

Windows XP doesn't support the modern hardware (Sandy Bridge) in the new iMacs. So you can't run it in Boot Camp.

You can run XP under VMware Fusion or Parallels, since they create a virtual environment which hides the details of the hardware. However, the performance of a virtualized XP system may not meet gaming expectations.

The best answer is to use Windows 7

Hmm, I don't think that's the case.