Bootcamp question..

[jsf8x]

Hi.

I'm confused with the way bootcamp works. Do I have to buy any sort of copy of windows or anything to use windows through bootcamp? Or can I just use some sort of windows right away..

thanks in advance

 

[simsaladimbamba]

You can use any available RETAIL version of Windows, and if you have one, you can use that. You don't need any special Windows version, just the versions supported by BC.
http://guides.macrumors.com/Booting_Windows_on_the_Mac

 

[XcodeCrazy]

You must already have a copy of a Windows Operating System. Boot Camp Assistant basically creates a partition just for Windows without erasing your existing Mac OS X volume. After running Boot Camp and installing Windows, you can switch between Windows and Mac OS X by holding the Option key at start up. Or, use the Startup Disk control panel in Windows (installed with Boot Camp drivers from the Mac OS X installation disc) or Mac OS X Startup Disk preferences to set the default operating system to use each time the computer starts up. Programs such as 'Parallels Desktop 6 for Mac' and 'VMware Fusion 3' are terrific add-ons for Boot Camp that allow you to open Windows-based applications without switching between your Windows and Mac OS X partitions. Hope you found this helpful!

Matt Thompson
XcodeCrazy
June 30, 2011

 

[balamw]

Note that on the most recent Macs, Apple only supports Windows 7 for use under Boot Camp with Boot Camp Assistant.

If you have an older Mac you could use XPSP2, XPSP3 or Vista if you already have one.

As simsaladimbamba suggests a full retail package of Windows 7 (Usually starting at $199) is what is supported and legitimately licensed, but retail upgrades and OEM versions can be made to work with a little extra work if you are OK with bending the license a bit.

B