Bootcamp - windows 7, 8 or wait for 10?

[thecounthahaha]

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting windows to play some steam games and have it just in case I ever need access to windows software.

What OS should I be looking at getting though? 7 is cheaper (£50ish), but older, and seems to be discontinued with any new macs in bootcamp. 8.1 is twice the price of 7 (£100) but seems to have had a lot of bad reviews over the interface and 10 is not out yet, but is apparently subscription based (which I'd rather avoid!). Is that accurate?

Are there any other known issues with running bootcamp with these?

Thanks!

 

[Retina-08]

If you have a valid Windows 7 or Windows 8(.1) installation, you can upgrade to Windows 10 for free, at the release date (end of july), if you don't want to install it, or forgot to do it within a year, you will need to go to the store and buy a valid Windows 10 version.

Windows 10 will not be subscription based.

They recently released an update where you can 'pre-order' the free windows 10 update via your task bar.
When it is released (end of july), you just need to press 'install', et voila.

 

[bmac89]

In my opinion... buying the cheapest version (Windows 7) is probably the best as you will be able to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Of course you would need to check that it is compatible with your mac and you can get the bootcamp drivers.
...And of course make sure it is a legitimate licensed version from a reputable retailer.

This way you will have a hard copy for future use if need be, as well as the latest Windows 10 if you upgrade within a year.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Wait for 10, buy OEM version

 

[bmac89]

I just had a second thought - hopefully some can clarify for me.

If you were to buy Windows 7 and then upgrade to 10 for free (within a year) and then later down the track you wipe the computer, would you only have the licence to install Windows 7 from hardcopy and be unable to upgrade/install Windows 10 once the 1 year free upgrade has expired? In other words you would not own a copy or be able to download a Windows 10 installer?

If that is the case, you would be better waiting for Windows 10.

 

[yjchua95]

I just had a second thought - hopefully some can clarify for me.

If you were to buy Windows 7 and then upgrade to 10 for free (within a year) and then later down the track you wipe the computer, would you only have the licence to install Windows 7 from hardcopy and be unable to upgrade/install Windows 10 once the 1 year free upgrade has expired? In other words you would not own a copy or be able to download a Windows 10 installer?

If that is the case, you would be better waiting for Windows 10.

When Windows 10 is released and you upgrade it it from 7, you'll be given an installation key. This installation key can be reused in the event that you need to reinstall Windows 10 from scratch and remains yours throughout its lifetime.

 

[bmac89]

When Windows 10 is released and you upgrade it it from 7, you'll be given an installation key. This installation key can be reused in the event that you need to reinstall Windows 10 from scratch and remains yours throughout its lifetime.

Thanks, that makes sense!

 

[thecounthahaha]

Looks like it's harder to get 7 than I thought. Does anyone know whether 10 is going to be more expensive than 8.1 to buy once it's released? I've found 8.1 for £80 on Amazon.

I'm planning on installing on the second internal SSD of my 2012 mbp. I'll switch the 2 SSD places in my mbp to make sure it runs ok as I understand that Windows doesn't like not being in the primary drive postition. This will mean my mac OS SSD will be in the data doubler, and the storage SSD will be in the normal drive bay. Having never used bootcamp before, do I need to install Mavericks on this second drive to be able to bootcamp it? If so, am I then able to wipe the mac partition and put back the stuff that's currently on it without any issues? (so I'll have storage+Windows partitions on main drive, Maverics on data doubler drive)

Thanks for the help guys!