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Using a MBP as a Windows laptop

R

rpworth

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 8, 2010
4
0
Hi there,

I'm interested in replacing my Sony Vaio BX with a (hopefully refreshed) MBP, as the hinges on my Vaio have cracked several times and I'm not going to keep replacing them on a 3 year old laptop. I would probably get another Sony, but the hinge problem combined with their terrible trackpads and relatively lame screen resolution has led me to consider purchasing a MacBook Pro to use primarily as a Windows laptop, since I love Windows 7 and cannot see myself switching to OS X due to various annoyances (particularly a window management system that becomes unusable with lots of windows open).

My question is: are there any problems with the way Windows runs on bootcamp on MBPs that I should consider before making this purchase? Trackpad issues? Driver issues? Is it a totally stupid thing to do when there are other laptops out there that are considerably cheaper?

Thanks for your advice.
 
If you don't like OSX why waste the money buying a MBP you are going to use as a Windows machine? This makes no sense to me. Buy an HP Envy or a similar ripoff and you will be happy.
 
Use MRoogle (my sig) to find many threads about issues with Windows 7 on Macs via Boot Camp.

Also the window management is fine on Mac OS X, that's why there is Exposé.
I currently have 18 windows in 12 open applications, and I just restarted a day ago due to an update. In ten days I will most probably have 20-25 open applications with 30 to 50 windows open, mostly Finder though (10-20).

There are better ways to waste money though for a Windows 7 laptop. Look at the HP Envy series or some Alienware or another Sony.
 
Tex-Twil said:
Hi,

That's the only thing which disturbs me. The trackpad is not working as well as in OSX. Beside that I had no issues. I'm using Bootcamp for gameing only though.

Tex
Click to expand...

same here. trackpad isnt an issue cos i only use windows for gaming, with gaming of course u use a mouse to game so yeh trackpad isnt an issue at all
 
Specifically what type of issues do you have with the trackpad? If it's just that the multitouch gestures don't work or something, that's not a big deal. If it's actually hard to move the cursor around, that could be a problem...

Does anyone have experience with just how many hours it gets? 5 hours? 4 hours? 50 minutes?
 
It works pretty well. I have been using my Macbook Pro as a Windows 7 computer (no OS X on it) for months now. The comment about battery life is very true, but I guess some of this is due to the dual graphics card - I can't use the 9400 only the 9600. In this state I really do only get around 2 hours out of the battery; I could get double that during the brief period I did run OS X (it is pre built in battery, so I guess that is about right).

It has improved since the update from boot camp to support Windows 7 a few weeks ago - this just solved the last few little annoyances.

In terms of the trackpad - one finger use all works oK - you can also use the two finger scroll. No three of four finger gestures though.

Just to answer the question about why buy a Mac to run Windows on - a year ago when I got this one, they were the only beautifully made laptops I could find (Sony, Dell, HP - no one else was anywhere near) and even now as I am thinking of replacing this laptop, I will probably still go for a Mac, just without the hybrid graphics card this time.
 
You may want to try learning the window management system for OSX. It's actually one of the things that brought me onboard. Expose+4 finger multitouch = multitasking mofo.
 
Trackpad:

The trackpad is terrible to use in Windows in my opinion. It's smooth to move around, but it accidentally right clicks for me all the time when I want to left click, and vice versa. Scrolling works, but you have to set it down so it doesn't skip over things. There is no middle click. Tap to click should be left off because it causes problems. Impossible to use Autocad on Windows with the trackpad. If you're switching from a Sony to a Mac because of the trackpad, then you're making a mistake.

Battery:

My MacBook Pro is rated to get 5 hours of battery life in OSX. In Windows, I get about 1:30, so that's 30% of what it's rated for in OSX.

If the current generation is supposed to get 7 hours in OSX, then I hope it can get around 2 hours. That's just a guess though based on my system.
 
Arex said:
The comment about battery life is very true, but I guess some of this is due to the dual graphics card - I can't use the 9400 only the 9600. In this state I really do only get around 2 hours out of the battery
...
to answer the question about why buy a Mac to run Windows on - a year ago when I got this one, they were the only beautifully made laptops I could find (Sony, Dell, HP - no one else was anywhere near) and even now as I am thinking of replacing this laptop, I will probably still go for a Mac, just without the hybrid graphics card this time.
Click to expand...

This is good to know. What graphics combination would you recommend on new MBPs for best combination of performance and battery life? I'm not as studied-up in the latest graphics cards as I should be.

And yes, these are essentially the reasons for my interest in Macs -- they're just much nicer computers than anyone, including Sony, has managed to produce. After having a hunk plastic puzzle pieces, a one-piece aluminum body sounds pretty dang good.

vant said:
You may want to try learning the window management system for OSX. It's actually one of the things that brought me onboard. Expose+4 finger multitouch = multitasking mofo.
Click to expand...

I've spent many years on both Mac and Windows, and know the window management system very well. Expose is pretty stopgap I think, but I suppose it's just a matter of personal preference. There are additional reasons I prefer Windows as well (ie I like the Win version of Office a lot better, and I have two Zunes, and I have expensive Windows licenses for Adobe products).
 
I dont recommend it. You will get worse battery life and be paying A LOT for no extra incentive.

The drivers for Macbooks on windows have improved dramatically lately but there are still lingering issues such as always on keyboard lights and finicky trackpad issues.

Incidentally im with you on windows management. Windows 7 blows OSX out of the water in terms of multi-tasking.
 
phrint said:
If you don't like OSX why waste the money buying a MBP you are going to use as a Windows machine? This makes no sense to me. Buy an HP Envy or a similar ripoff and you will be happy.
Click to expand...

It makes perfect sense. Mac fanboys argue that their macs are of better build quality than typical PCs. SO what's wrong with running Windows on a stable PC?
 
ryannazaretian said:
Trackpad:

The trackpad is terrible to use in Windows in my opinion. It's smooth to move around, but it accidentally right clicks for me all the time when I want to left click, and vice versa. Scrolling works, but you have to set it down so it doesn't skip over things. There is no middle click. Tap to click should be left off because it causes problems. Impossible to use Autocad on Windows with the trackpad. If you're switching from a Sony to a Mac because of the trackpad, then you're making a mistake.
Click to expand...

Thanks for trackpad info. I assume you don't have problems using the same trackpad is OSX? I know some people aren't fans of the clickypad. Is it right clicking when you want left click because it's detecting a two-fingered click?

Trackpads on several of my past Vaios are beyond terrible. They're postage stamp sized and plagued with driver issues that sometimes cause the cursor to jump all over the screen. And they often don't work when waking up from sleep state, requiring complete reboot. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. So at this point any kind of clicks at all would be an improvement :)

That reminds me, are there any sleep or hibernation issues with Windows on MBP? This seems to be an area where MANY Windows laptops get into trouble.
 
agreed about the trackpad in Windows 7, I rather use the mouse, while in OS X I prefer the trackpad.
About battery, I can surf on wifi about 3h in Win 7 and 4h30 in Snow Leopard with my early 2008 MBP (new battery !).

If I were you I'd go for a HP Envy or a high end Vaio, or even a Dell XPS 16.
 
rpworth said:
Thanks for trackpad info. I assume you don't have problems using the same trackpad is OSX? I know some people aren't fans of the clickypad. Is it right clicking when you want left click because it's detecting a two-fingered click?

Trackpads on several of my past Vaios are beyond terrible. They're postage stamp sized and plagued with driver issues that sometimes cause the cursor to jump all over the screen. And they often don't work when waking up from sleep state, requiring complete reboot. Sometimes 2 or 3 times a day. So at this point any kind of clicks at all would be an improvement :)

That reminds me, are there any sleep or hibernation issues with Windows on MBP? This seems to be an area where MANY Windows laptops get into trouble.
Click to expand...

Let's explain the trackpad in a different way. My girlfriend has a 13" MacBook. She tried using the trackpad in Windows on my laptop. She got frustrated and called it retarded. If you're coming to a Mac for a better trackpad, go elsewhere. Trust me, if I would have known that I would be running Windows more than OSX, I would not have gotten a Mac. It's all driver issues though, so one day Apple could release a perfect driver, but it would still be lacking a few things.

Sleeping works fine for me.

I recommend a Toshiba.
 
OP, I will join others to say that if you don't like OSX, then get something else. You will get better hardware for the money you spent. I think Dell Studio XPS is a decent Windows laptop. Check them out.
 
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