Experiences of Mac running Windows only

[skaertus]

I was wondering if any of you guys use your Mac only (or at least mainly) to run Windows on BootCamp (or on a virtual machine).

If you do, why did you choose to buy the Mac in the first place?

And how is the experience in using your Mac to run Windows, especially compared to using a Windows machine?

 

[Gav2k]

I’ve a friend who runs windows on his MacBook due to the software he requires for work being windows only.

Asking him that question before it was down to build quality and aesthetics.

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

If you want to save an older Mac just install Windows 10 on it.

People think you have to pay for Windows. You don't. It's free to use but the rumour is performance is lower and some updates won't come. That's not true. You just have an unactivated message.

You can temporarily get rid of the message with a few commands.

 

[Strelok]

If you are just going to be using Windows, I'm not sure why you would get a Mac. You can generally build a much nicer machine for the money or go for one of the countless prebuilt PC's. For laptops the same applies, there have been some really nice machines coming out over the past few years from the windows camp. The trackpad on the mac's really isn't that great under windows IMO.

 

[skaertus]

If you want to save an older Mac just install Windows 10 on it.

People think you have to pay for Windows. You don't. It's free to use but the rumour is performance is lower and some updates won't come. That's not true. You just have an unactivated message.

You can temporarily get rid of the message with a few commands.

Actually, you have to pay for Windows, otherwise you are in violation of the EULA. It is a copyright and not a strictly technical matter.

 

[skaertus]

If you are just going to be using Windows, I'm not sure why you would get a Mac. You can generally build a much nicer machine for the money or go for one of the countless prebuilt PC's. For laptops the same applies, there have been some really nice machines coming out over the past few years from the windows camp. The trackpad on the mac's really isn't that great under windows IMO.

I have failed to find any Windows laptop that has a build quality similar to the MacBook Pro. If you know any, please let me know. I bought a Dell XPS 15 last year, which lots of people were saying was a MacBook Pro killer. It isn't. The 4k screen is reflective and its colors are not as accurate; the keyboard is not as good; the trackpad is not as precise; and the build quality overall is not that good.

I would buy a Mac first for its superb build quality, and not for macOS. I think macOS is fine, but I also like Windows. And while I can live without macOS, I cannot get rid of Windows. So, Windows is a requirement anyway.

The way I see it, the new MacBook Pros are expensive, but they have solid, top-notch build quality; a very bright screen; a large and accurate trackpad; and a great keyboard. And it is thin and light, very well engineered. Which Windows laptop can match the qualities of a Mac?

 

[SoyCapitanSoyCapitan]

Actually, you have to pay for Windows, otherwise you are in violation of the EULA. It is a copyright and not a strictly technical matter.

That EULA only applies if you aren't cracking. It's also a carry over from previous eras when Windows would only work freely for a short time. MS says you can carry on using Windows 10.

In fact, it was MS themselves who told me this. A motherboard in my PC broke. After I changed the motherboard I lost my activation and MS said they could only reactivate if I wiped my drive and reinstalled an old build. I refused. So the MS technician remotely applies some terminal commands to remove the unactivated warning.

I also have another PC running Windows 10 and have never activated it and I don't use warez or cracks.

 

[takeshi74]

So you're just digging for confirmation bias?

Use it for what you want. You don't need others to justify your decisions -- on any topic.

 

[Stefan johansson]

If I was only running windows,I would have bought a dell laptop at 1/3 of the price for my rMBP,but unfortunately I just can't stand windows as my only option,had enough of the newer versions.
However,for some classic gaming like command&conquer or railroad tycoon,I asked a friend for advice,and managed to do a clean install of windows XP under bootcamp. Of course,I only use it for games,for everything else,I use sierra.

 

[ActionableMango]

If you do, why did you choose to buy the Mac in the first place?

I don't personally, but my friend did. He recognized the build quality of MacBooks is extraordinarily high, especially in the early days of the unibody when Apple was the only one doing that. You could get this solid piece of aluminum from Apple, or a plastic clamshell from everyone else that flexed and made cracking noises every time you picked it up with one hand.

But he was a Windows guy and had absolutely no use for OS X. He simply made it Windows only.

It reminds me of this article from PC World (not Mac World!) where they declared the MacBook as the best Windows laptop:
https://www.cnet.com/news/macbook-pro-declared-best-performing-windows-laptop/

This happens from time to time over the years.