Windows 10 32 bit possible on older Macbook?

[Paul Anderegg]

Ordered a new M1 Pro 14.2" Macbook Pro, only to discover that Parallels will only run Windows 11 ARM, and there is no possibility to emulate or run the serial port drivers needed to program the devices I use Windows for. Looking at buying something like an old low spec Macbook Air or similar ust to use with Bootcamp to flash the programming into the connected devices. Many of my programs cannot address USB in 64 bits and require 32 bit Windows to function with serial port adapters. I know at some point in time Apple made Bootcamp Windows 10 64 it only, but I don't remember the model year when that changed and I am not clear if Windows 10 32 bit wuld be installable on pre 64 bit cut-off data Macbooks. I have never met a cheap Windows laptop I like, so that is why i would rather use an old Mac with a slippery trackpad for this purpose.

Paul

 

[AndyMacAndMic]

Ordered a new M1 Pro 14.2" Macbook Pro, only to discover that Parallels will only run Windows 11 ARM, and there is no possibility to emulate or run the serial port drivers needed to program the devices I use Windows for. Looking at buying something like an old low spec Macbook Air or similar ust to use with Bootcamp to flash the programming into the connected devices. Many of my programs cannot address USB in 64 bits and require 32 bit Windows to function with serial port adapters. I know at some point in time Apple made Bootcamp Windows 10 64 it only, but I don't remember the model year when that changed and I am not clear if Windows 10 32 bit wuld be installable on pre 64 bit cut-off data Macbooks. I have never met a cheap Windows laptop I like, so that is why i would rather use an old Mac with a slippery trackpad for this purpose.

Paul

If you want to buy an old computer only to use Windows, why not search for a Windows laptop you do like? There are myriads of PC manufacturers/PC laptops out there with decent trackpads (or use a mouse instead). Buy the right tool for the job. This will make far more sense and will be far more practical than the hassle and the hoops you have to jump through when trying to install an antiquated Windows via an antiquated Bootcamp on an antiquated MacBook. Why make it harder for yourself ? The slight advantages you see in a Mac do not outweigh the disadvantages in this case IMHO.

But of course: YMMV .

 

[skaertus]

Ordered a new M1 Pro 14.2" Macbook Pro, only to discover that Parallels will only run Windows 11 ARM, and there is no possibility to emulate or run the serial port drivers needed to program the devices I use Windows for. Looking at buying something like an old low spec Macbook Air or similar ust to use with Bootcamp to flash the programming into the connected devices. Many of my programs cannot address USB in 64 bits and require 32 bit Windows to function with serial port adapters. I know at some point in time Apple made Bootcamp Windows 10 64 it only, but I don't remember the model year when that changed and I am not clear if Windows 10 32 bit wuld be installable on pre 64 bit cut-off data Macbooks. I have never met a cheap Windows laptop I like, so that is why i would rather use an old Mac with a slippery trackpad for this purpose.

Paul

What does qualify as a cheap Windows laptop for you? How much are you willing to pay? And what would you like on a Windows laptop?

Do you really need 32-bit Windows? Would you be able to run 32-bit apps on 64-bit Windows using WOW64 emulation?

 

[Paul Anderegg]

My current Windows laptop is a Dell D630 with an SSD rocking Windows 7 32 bit. It's in mint condition and I use it for dual boot with DOS 7.1 with its serial port. Many of my older programs cannot function through USB in 64 bit.

Cheap for me is $250-300, thinking a nice older 13" Macbook Pro would work well, I just don't know the model year that 32 bit Bootcamp support ended and Windows 10 64 bit became mandatory. If I wanted to run Parallels and ditch my 16" Macbook Pro I was thinking something like a 2018-2019 13".

Paul

 

[MikeDr206]

Have you considered a cloud PC? MS and Amazon both offer them at $30/month ish.

This company also intrigues me, because it’s dirt cheap:

Virtual Desktops | Affordable High Performance Cloud Desktop as a Service (DaaS) with Windows 11, Windows10, Microsoft Office, Open Office by Infosaic Technologies, LLC from Columbus Ohio

Desktop as a Service (Daas) from $11.95 (for unlimited/unmetered use) available instantly. Windows 11, Windows 10, MS Office, full support, money back gurantee.

www.infosaic.com

 

[Paul Anderegg]

Getting Parallels to reliably connect to the devices on an Intel Mac is problematic at best now, I think a Cliud PC would be even worse. It is not that I can't run the programs, even the 32 bit only ones run fine on 64 bit Windows 11, it's the serial port connectivity that is really an issue on these old pieces of software and hardware.

Wonder if this could work for getting around the ARM interface? https://www.eltima.com/products/usb-over-ethernet/

Paul

 

[u47]

I am an embedded developer. But I don't recall any problems with any 64bit Windows. Except that..

There has long been a problem of monitoring com ports for debugging, poisoning the lives of developers, but now there are several solutions, including free software, including open source solutions.

There may be a problem with the lack of usb com port drivers. But for all sane manufacturers now there are also drivers. But, for Win64 intel , but not M1.

From quite exotic, I remember those who like to work with ports directly, using drivers such as rainport. But these are usually such lightweight programs that they can be run in DosBox. (The most ideal solution for retro Dos and Win16 programs)

I don't think you need Windows 10 32 bit at all.