Macbook_only_for_windows_question

I'am working only in Windows and so i will in the future,... but... the screen, size and quality, is what make me think to buy a macbook.
I would buy the black one. Now, my question is, do i need to have OSx installed to be able installing Windows XP? And if this is the case, what is the minimum amount of HD-Space, i'am getting lost for the mac partition?

 

honestly, this is a horrible idea because Windows is unstable under bootcamp, i'd be scared to death if i were typing a paper in windows through bootcamp because it constantly crashes when i open random applications

I have yet to try Parallels, mainly because there isn't anything I need in windows anymore

I think the minimum will be around 15-20 gigs because OSX takes up alot of space

Bootcamp isnt stable! Wait till Leopard/10.5 and maybe by then they will have bootcamp fixed, it will also contain new virtualization software called xen, which runs any other OS with only 2-8% less performance using the computers native hardware :O

Running windows on a mac sounds like a cool idea, but you will quickly realize why this isnt practical once you own an intel mac. All I know is XP crashes like crazy on my Mac. I can't open too many apps because 1 too many will cause it to crash. Or maybe its just AIM Triton for me? Still I wouldn't recommend this AT ALL. If you buy a Mac you should use OSX as your primary OS and boot into windows only when absolutely necessary

what do you really need to do in windows that you can't do on OSX anyways? CAD?

 

is bootcamp that bad??? a person i known has it running on he's macbook pro, and he said, that it will works perfectly.

I need the book for a university. And the programms they handle out are for windows.
And further i'd like to run 3dsmax on it.... but thats the next problem. I read that this app won't run on intelmacs... but i guess it's just a question of time.

 

in the meanwhile, i read that someone did a test in 3dsmax with 100 teapots... so i guess it should run

i'am confused now.... maybe it's to early to judge bootcamp

 

If you are only going to use it for windows just buy a windows machine

 

Why? i couldn't find a windows machine with 13" display that cost so little like the macbook. There is a 14" alternativ from msi for me, the s420. But it's not available yet and i'am not shure if the screen has the same quality.

If windows would run properly on a macbook (and some say, it does), then i've no idea, why i should not buy a mac. I'am wondering about your statemant! you are not the only one who is saying this

Maybe an emotional reason? Jesus, it's just a notebook, made with metal and plastic

 

Boy there is so much mis-information on this board.

Windows would run just fine on the Mac. It is not "unstable with bootcamp". Bootcamp is just a application that allows you to partition the hard drive and create a drive CD. Thats it. Its the firmware that emulates the Windows BIOS.
The only issues with runing WinXP on the Mac is that there is still not full driver support. For example there aren't any drivers for the backlit keyboard, isight, IR, and full ACPI.

If you decide to get a Mac, I would suggest you leave OS X on there for the final version of Bootcamp so you can get the latest drivers. You need OS X to install bootcamp. So if there is no OS X, you wont be able to install the finial version of bootcamp and get the latest drivers (unless someone else posts them )

 

Hey, did you look at the averatec 4200 series? They have a 13 inch display, run windows, similar price points, and share the white styling of the MacBook.

There would likely (imo) be a lot of tinkering to get the macbook working just the way you want in bootcamp....but i guess if you like doing that kind of thing then go for it...

 

If you were really worried about price why would you buy the black MB? Buy a bigger HD if your worried about HD space.

It took a 6.5GB partition to install OSX on my desktop, ballpark #.

 

mezer,

I didn't want to poop on the one-button parade by suggesting a non-apple in the apple forum, but since the others have already done so, I would suggest getting a lower config'd Sony SZ. Some of them can be quite pricey, but here ( https://www.laptopsinc.com/Merchant...OD&Product_Code=VGNSZ240P02&Category_Code=SSZ) is one for $1449 with free shipping and no sales tax (unless you live in CA). You can upgrade if you want, but this should be close to, if not under, the price of the black macbook (after tax and/or shipping).

The SZ is more than a pound lighter than the macbook, has a very good build quality, comes with dual graphics cards (one for speed, one for battery), arguably has a better keyboard and maybe one of the better screens. The downsides are that you will have more bloatware and a couple of minor issues (loose battery, space bar, etc) that have been addressed and mostly resolved in the Sony boards.

This is a great notebook in its own right and a wonderful alternative to the macbook if you're looking for a windows-only notebook. Good luck in your search.

 

I have had zero problems running bootcamp and Windows on my intel iMac. I am skeptical about the claims that bootcamp is not "stable". Bootcamp simply allows Windows to run. It's not like Windows runs on top of bootcamp. Bootcamp is basically a boot manager.

 

Boot Camp is still in beta, keep that in mind. When I speak of boot camp I mean the entire process of running XP, because the drivers are included in boot camp and are the source of stability. So here's my experience. Windows runs pretty well, but I have had WoW crash several times. It is likely a video driver issue that should be worked out. Any Windows app will run, because it IS Windows. There will be annoyances, no right click at the moment, I don't believe ctrl-alt-del works yet, no iSight, etc. One more thing to keep in mind. It is highly unlikely, but Apple could drop development of Boot Camp at any time, leaving you with a dead end. One more thing to remember is that you will have no software support. And don't forget to include the cost of Windows since you will need full version to install with. In reality it is a bad idea to use Windows on Mac for anything more than the occasional need. Oh one more thing you cannot delete the OSX partition and you will need at least 5GB of free space on that partition.

 

if you plan on mostly using windows, then get a pc. a guy posted above that you can check out the sony vaio SZ, with lower specs you can pull down the price by a lot. vaios have the best screen. it also weighs less (3.7 - 4lbs). plus you get added features that macbooks don't have.

other alternatives would be the asus w3j, a8j (both 14") or dell xps m1210.

 

Well if you install Input Remapper from the link below, you will then have a Right-Click, Ctrl-Alt-Delete, and Printscreen.

http://www.olofsson.info/

Also if apple does for some strange reason stop developing bootcamp, just sell the notebook on ebay and get another.

 

I have a feeling apple won't back out now, and if it does. It's most likely the Open Source community will pick it up and develop it, so either way it goes it's probably 95% here to stay.

 

Why not run windows on a Mac?? What is a mac these days anyway?? An intel machine when it comes down to it.

Yes a few drivers/firmware haven't been tweaked yet.

I think people are going to have get used to the idea soon that Macs aren't just 'Macs' anymore - and there is no way they will pull the plug on boot camp, its here to stay

 

All I am saying is that until it is officially a part of Leopard and not a rumor, I would not depend it always being there. Apple could change their mind at any time for any number of reasons. I think we will have a good indicator in August from WWDC. If they don't mention boot camp in Leopard there I would not bet on it being in Leopard. I also think it is unlikely they won't continue with it, but better to be safe. Beta projects are dropped all the time. I mean you are betting on running something 100% of the time that still requires hacks to completely work. For now, I think boot camp should be treated as a little perk that may or may not be around later.

Another thing to consider. The rumors for boot camps future point to making it more of a VM. That would completely change the way Windows and boot camp works. You just never know with beta software.