Bootcamped Windows limitations?

[kot]

I am considering installing Windows on my MacBook Pro 8,2 to be my primary OS as I need certain software for my work and I don't like to emulate.

However I read somewhere some time ago that bootcamped Windows is a bad idea on a Macbook Pro because as I'm told Apple supplies inferior and outdated windows drivers, certain hardware features do not work (GPU switching) or work unreliably, battery life is bad, the trackpad's sensitivity is much worse and generally I am recommended to buy a dedicated Windows laptop.

So I haven't been able to find real answers on the web so I am asking those of you who use Windows via the Boot Camp, what limitations are there compared to a native Windows laptop.

My OS X is 10.10.1 Yosemite.

Thanks!

 

[saturnotaku]

Boot Camp is fine for occasional Windows usage, but it's not a good idea as a primary operating system. I'm going to copy and paste a couple posts from another forum that put finer points on why:

Heat and throttling are a concern. Some models suffer from it, others do not. It's a crap shoot. Disabling turbo boost on the CPU using Windows power plan management helps and doesn't significantly impact game performance. Another aspect related to heat generation is graphic switching not being supported in Windows on Macs with a discreet GPU (the GeForce 750M on current models). With the dGPU active at all times, battery life is significantly reduced, at least 50% in most cases. Trackpad performance is very poor in Windows. Display scaling is not 100% accurate on the rMBP, even with Windows 8.1. The built-in keyboard is not optimal because the command key becomes the Windows key, meaning that you're left with one control key.

The above is something I wrote.

Trackpad performance under Windows is wonky. Not every gesture is carried over and not everything always works just as it does in OS X. The pinch-to-zoom option would often take two tries for it to work on my various MacBooks under Windows 7. Scrolling wasn't nearly as smooth as OS X either. It worked but not optimally. Running Windows 7 through Parallels actually improved trackpad performance for me as more gestures are carried over, scrolling was smoother, pinch-to-zoom always worked, etc.

The main comment about power management mainly comes from systems that have dedicated graphics along with integrated options. For example, my 15" MBP has an Intel HD 4000 integrated chip along with an Nvidia GT 650M. When using OS X, it will seamlessly switch between one and another when need be. The Intel IGP is used when I'm watching a movie in iTunes (even an HD movie), browsing the internet, watching HD Flash content, working in Office, checking e-mail, etc. It is more than suitable for everyday tasks, no need for the more power hungry Nvidia GPU. However, I can open up AutoCAD or a game and OS X will switch over to the Nvidia GPU since the Intel IGP can't handle those tasks. It means my battery life will be a little reduced but it is fine for everyday activities. Ever since installing OS X Mavericks, I've been getting an average of 7-7.5 hours on a single charge with my 15" MBP (~70% brightness, bluetooth and wi-fi on, backlight keyboard on). That's actually really, really good for a 15" notebook with a quad-core Core i7 processor. However, I can fire up Windows 7 or 8.1 and my battery life is reduced to 3-4 hours as it cannot access the Intel IGP, only the Nvidia GPU is used and that can't be switched off. So the more power hungry GPU is used when I'm in Office, browsing the internet, and completing other everyday activities that can be perfectly handled (with ease) by the Intel IGP. That's a big killer right there.

It isn't as noticeable with units that have only Intel IGP's or on Mac desktops where battery life doesn't matter. Even so though, you'll easily get an extra 60-120 minutes using OS X Mavericks on a compatible Mac notebook with an Intel IGP over Windows 7/8.1.

The source for this post is here.

 

[Altemose]

So I haven't been able to find real answers on the web so I am asking those of you who use Windows via the Boot Camp, what limitations are there compared to a native Windows laptop.

Boot Camp gives you bare metal performance which is fantastic. I find the trackpad to be fantastic but definitely less accurate than under OS X. That being said it is still leaps and bounds better than most Windows laptops trackpads and I have no issues using it. All of the features like the backlit keyboard work without issue. The battery life will be decreased due to not using the energy efficient technology in OS X.

In summary, Boot Camp allows Windows to be a fine OS for the Mac. You do need to understand though that Windows will not have the tight integration with the hardware like OS X does.

 

[mac8867]

... and I don't like to emulate. ...

I am not sure why you feel that way. I have several Virtual Machines that run some pretty heavy compute software. They have been running for several years now, and I have never had an issue.

 

[maflynn]

Boot Camp is fine for occasional Windows usage, but it's not a good idea as a primary operating system.

I have to disagree with you on that, true the heat throttling is less then in OSX but running windows as your primary OS is fine and has no adverse affects (other then perhaps poorer battery performance and heat).

I've seen many folks here run windows as their only OS, there's nothing wrong in doing so.

 

[saturnotaku]

I have to disagree with you on that, true the heat throttling is less then in OSX but running windows as your primary OS is fine and has no adverse affects (other then perhaps poorer battery performance and heat).

Those two adverse effects you mentioned are pretty big ones when you're on a laptop, not to mention the far inferior trackpad performance in Windows.

 

[maflynn]

Those two adverse effects you mentioned are pretty big ones when you're on a laptop, not to mention the far inferior trackpad performance in Windows.

I don't think so, I watched the heat on my MBP and its no where near any sort of danger zone. I avoid the trackpad and use a portable mouse so again those issues imo are not show stoppers.

I've seen a lot of threads about MBPs getting hot in the MBP forum (mine doesn't), so I don't see too much difference if the MBP gets overly warm under OS X or windows.

 

[Altemose]

My Mac does not get much warmer in Windows than it does in OS X.

 

[Mike Boreham]

I am considering installing Windows on my MacBook Pro 8,2 to be my primary OS as I need certain software for my work and I don't like to emulate.

The old Connectix Virtual PC was emulation.

Parallels and VMWare are virtualisation

Emulation is paralytically slow.

Virtualisation is as fast as Bootcamp for most practical purposes, not for serious gaming.