Running Windows 7 full time on a macbook pro

[Jason Beck]

Anyone? Bueller?

How about some troubleshooting tips? For instance, once installed, will Windows react differently than normal?

Nope, Windows will react the same as if it is on a PC. Apple has been pretty
cool about offering BootCamp to its users. That in itself is awesome.
I have a Windows 7 partition on my Mac Mini that I never use, but it is there.
Just if I ever need it.

I just like OSX too much to go back to Windows full time.

I do agree with the majority of posters in this thread though, if you
want a pc, buy a pc. That is plain to see. You would save yourself some
money. If though money is not an issue and you do in fact want a great
product, regardless of if you are going to be in Windows 7 100% of the
time, then get a Macbook and you'll dig it.

The aesthetics are pleasing, and they are way ergonomic! They are heavy
duty and eye catching. Which is probably why you want one, they are a
great product. Macs make excellent Windows machines too.

If you havn't given OSX a shot as a 100% of the time machine, I would
highly encourage you to do so. Chances are there is a port for your
work software to OSX too if you have a specific software need. There
are cad programs, MS Office and more.

Well, whatever your purchase, good luck! If you get a Macbook you will
love it.

 

[Eric S.]

One thing that no one mentions in these debates are the drivers.

Really? Maybe you should have a debate with thejadedmonkey:

In general, I wouldn't use Windows on a mac, as Apple's drivers are considered crap...

Nope, Windows will react the same as if it is on a PC. Apple has been pretty cool about offering BootCamp to its users.

Well, once they were dragged kicking and screaming into it, yes. Boot Camp was originally a kind of fishworks project. Then Apple discovered it could be a selling point, and suddenly it was a big feature of OS X.

If you havn't given OSX a shot as a 100% of the time machine, I would highly encourage you to do so. Chances are there is a port for your work software to OSX too if you have a specific software need.

Some companies, like mine, have requirements for running Windows. One of the main reasons I finally moved to Intel from PPC was the ability to dual boot OS X and XP.

 

[inlovewithi]

If you're buying it for the build quality, don't buy the white macbook, it has been a disaster (Cracks, swelling battery which also damages the track pad, etc). I'm not that familiar with the newer ones. I suggest to just get a regular Windows laptop, it will be less of a headache, and cheaper.

 

[striatedglutes]

One thing that no one mentions in these debates are the drivers.

I'm a fulltime C++ guy, and we develop strictly for Windows. Macbook Pros, time and time again, end up being the best machines with our software, because Apple writes INCREDIBLE drivers. They're always no-frills. Their Windows 7 support is stellar now. Battery life isn't AS amazing as it is when under OSX, but that makes sense, since the power mgmt of the OS is designed with their laptops in mind.

I have two iMacs at home: one that runs in OSX 100%, and one that uses Win7 100%. I would never question buying an Apple laptop, even if you're going to be in Windows all the time.

Just my 2 cents from a Winblows programmer.

Didn't know this...thanks.

 

[amarcus]

It's been awhile now... When I first bought my macbook pro I wanted to run on windows exclusively but decided that it would be probably best to keep OSX. However after playing around with OSX and getting used to it I couldn't bring myself to boot into windows anymore. Seriously, it just felt "dirty" or something. Anyway, I now use OSX almost full-time yet when I bought my mac I thought it would be an entirely different story.

Adam

 

[huck500]

Booting windows under bootcamp has been great in my experience, the drivers aren't 'crap'.

At this point I wouldn't buy anything other than a MBP, just because I want os x and need windows. That said, buying Apple laptops for the build quality might not be ideal.

According to Consumer Reports, which gets its reliability information by surveying its members, laptop reliability is led by Toshiba, Sony, and Compaq(!), in that order, but not by much. 16% of Toshiba owners report major problems, while Apple ties for fourth with Acer with 19% reporting major problems.

Consumer reports does list the 13" MBP as their best laptop, although the Toshiba Satellite is second and costs less than half as much.

Apple's desktops are significantly more reliable than any other brand, with 13% reporting major problems compared to second place Compaq(!) at 18%.

 

[polotska]

Personally, if I were going to run Windows 7 full-time, I'd just get a T-series ThinkPad. Totally different design aesthetic compared to Apple but the build quality is at least as good in my experience, and Lenovo provides good service & support.

But I'd rather have a MacBook Pro and run OS X.

 

[alent1234]

Booting windows under bootcamp has been great in my experience, the drivers aren't 'crap'.

At this point I wouldn't buy anything other than a MBP, just because I want os x and need windows. That said, buying Apple laptops for the build quality might not be ideal.

According to Consumer Reports, which gets its reliability information by surveying its members, laptop reliability is led by Toshiba, Sony, and Compaq(!), in that order, but not by much. 16% of Toshiba owners report major problems, while Apple ties for fourth with Acer with 19% reporting major problems.

Consumer reports does list the 13" MBP as their best laptop, although the Toshiba Satellite is second and costs less than half as much.

Apple's desktops are significantly more reliable than any other brand, with 13% reporting major problems compared to second place Compaq(!) at 18%.

even the people on some of the CR forums say not to trust them. the people doing the testing are morons and every little issue is probably reported as a problem.

after seeing HP/Compaq laptops in action i will never buy one. ever.

 

[cys920622]

A large proportion of the MBP price is due to the OS and other included software. If you're looking at the MBP only regarding hardware, I would imagine it would only cost around 700-800 realistically (if even, for the 13").

So really, there's no point paying all that money with the software that's coming with it anyway to replace it all with your own software, when you can pay for a hardware-strong windows laptop where the price is set mostly on hardware, not software.