1-3. Yes, custom ISO, you would need to inject NVMe and USB drivers (I don't even know if USB 3.1 drivers exist for Windows 7). As per my experience with rMBP 15" late-2013, you'd be able to boot from USB but Windows 7 installer just won't see keyboard, touchpad or any other device you plug in to USB 3.0 ports (I don't know how this works - being able to boot from the USB drive but any USB 3.0 device not working); when BootCamp blesses the next reboot, miraculously they all start working without the drivers. So if Apple removes Windows 7 support from BootCamp you will have to use custom ISO.
4. If Apple removes legacy BIOS mode support (Windows 7 support in BootCamp and legacy BIOS mode support by the hardware are different things), you will have to make Windows 7 USB and then Windows 7 itself to boot in EFI mode. There are attempts to do this and so far as far as I'm aware there is no easy or flawless way. You will have to use some hacking with non-Apple EFI bootloaders. And you will lose some functionality like no keyboard backlight or not being able to sleep.
4.1. I wasn't aware myself (since I haven't tried Windows 7 on my current rMBP yet): rMBPs 2015 already do not support Windows 7.
https://www.macrumors.com/2015/03/20/new-macbook-pro-air-no-windows-7-bootcamp/ There are ways to install it but all of them are hack-y.
5. It's not that it has problems, Windows (both 7 and 10 I think) just won't see iGPU if you have dGPU. Apple just doesn't let them.
🙂 But with iGPU alone you'd be spared from this problem.
6. To be fair I'm not sure. I've only tried 150% and 200%. But I think there will be problems, I'll explain why: there are two options - 150% and custom font size. If you need to set up 175% you will have to use custom, the same as for 200%. And I don't see any chance it working any better. Although I might be wrong. I won't be able to check it for several weeks (I'm far from home atm) so you better check this online. I think it's not rMBP-dedicated problem, it's just the way Windows 7 works.
6.1. By the way this scaling does not work at all in some apps. The most famous basic example would be Microsoft Solitaire from Microsoft themselves.
😛
7. Yup, exactly my thoughts. Again, as for previous point, there might be ways to solve it. I searched a little and haven't found any but I still might be wrong.
8. Just so you know - Apple SSDs are proprietary and there are no premises that say this will change with the new rMBP. And it's this much proprietary that OWC (they specialize in selling non-Apple Macs equipment) was able to sell rMBP late-2013 compatible SSDs only in 2015. You will have at least 128GB PCI-E SSD since Apple no longer installs HDDs in rMBPs but if you need more than 128GB you will have to order custom configuration right away. You will not be able to just buy any M.2 PCI-E SSD from the market and install it.
P. S. You've used "insert CD" several times. You're aware MacBook Pros no longer have internal CD/DVD/Blu-Ray drive, right?
1. So the solution would be for me to create a custom ISO of my current setup, burn it and then use my RW to plugin the CD and install it via BIOS right?
2, 3. If Apple does strip the legacy Bootcamp support...I'm screwed? Man that would suck because I think Apple has a huge opportunity here. If they still support bootcamp while MS is basically forcing Kabylake CPUs distributors to make it not work with Windows 7 ...Apple could win bnig if they still support it. My solution would be deleting the newest bootcamp version and install version 5.1
4. If Apple does that then the wait would be for nothing and I'm better of buying a full specced 13 inch right now right?
5. Luckly, I don't want a DGPU in my notebook...since I'm not going to do any 3D Max or 4k rendering stuff on it, I need it to get productivity stuff done. I think even Windows 10 has problems with the iGPU and eGPU see the Surfacebook troubles. If both Apple and MS can't fix this problem it might be more complicated than a lot of us believed it to be maybe thats the reason why we haven't seen the Surfacebook 2 nor the new MBP?
6. Can there be a middle ground let's say 175 % that still works and not breaking things or is that impossible?
7. That's not good at all if I'*m paying a premium price for a UHD resolution I want to utilize it.
8. That's the only thing I've really been aware of but it's not problem for me since I would just swap the HDD for an SDD if Apple doesn't include one from the get go. I know Windows 10 is much faster but I'm not worried about a few extra seconds.
Anyhow, thank you for the great contribution really appreciate that because I thought, I woul buy it - install bootcamp - insert CD - install Win 7 and be good to go. For me peronsally MacOS is too complicated I'm just not a fan of gestures and trackpad driven interaction, that's why I've paid almost 80 bucks for the Logitech Anywhere Mouse back then and this thing is still running g reat and no trackpad will ever replace the precision of it.
I know a lot of people like Win 10 and if it wasn't for all the false decisions from MS I would install it but MS has lost a lot of trust from me with their forced updates, advertisements and complete disrespect for privacy and consumer preferences.
[doublepost=1470600025][/doublepost]Hmmm... Breaking news guys. We're all spared!11
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iPad Pro is the reason iMacs will be discontinued!
MacBook Pros are spared! Notebooks have future!
From Apple's website on iPad Pro:
"
The power of a PC. And the power to go beyond it.
iPad Pro is powerful enough to easily take on tasks once reserved for PCs. And many you could never do on a PC. With just a touch, swipe or jot, you can write, email, surf, scan, render, design, redesign and do pretty much anything you need to."
From Apple's website on the 12-inch MacBook:
"
Our goal with MacBook was to do the impossible: engineer a full‑size experience into the lightest and most compact Mac notebook ever. That meant reimagining every element to make it not only lighter and thinner but also better. The result is more than just a new notebook. It’s the future of the notebook. And now, with sixth‑generation Intel processors, improved graphics performance, faster flash storage and up to 10 hours of battery life,* MacBook is even more capable."
And Apple's confused road sign during a presentation indicating that Microsoft is uncertain about what product it is making (oh the irony):