New to Macs, few questions before I buy.

I am considering a 13.3" unibody MacBook for college. I am tempted by the $50 off and free iPod Touch for college deal. If I buy the MacBook, I'd be replacing the standard hard-drive with my current Intel X25-M solid state drive that I currently have Windows 7 installed on. How complicated would it be to install OSX after I switch drives, and will I lose my current install of Windows 7? Ideally I'd like to have it dual boot OSX and Windows 7. First of all what is Boot Camp? Would I have to use Boot Camp, or is there another way of dual booting? I've heard that Windows 7 doesn't perform as well in Boot Camp as it does naturally, which worries me because I'm planning on using Windows 7 as my primary OS.

Basically, what would be the best plan of action for switching drives and dual booting OSX and Windows 7?

 

Check the intro in this link: http://forum.notebookreview.com/app...oot-camp-parallels-desktop-vmware-fusion.html

It will answer some of your questions.

 

You would have to format (erase) the drive as OSX wants an HFS+ formatted disk while Windows 7 wants an NTFS formatted disk/partition. Bootcamp is just a utility that helps you install Windows. Most Windows boxes boot off of BIOS while macs boot off of EFI so doing a native install bypassing Bootcamp might be a bit tricky. I don't see any reason why you wouldn't use Bootcamp. Finally, and probably most importantly, why are you getting a mac if you are going to be using Windows? You lose a lot of the benefits of the system by not using OSX (greatly decreased battery life, will run hotter, drivers are not the greatest, and the touchpad isn't nearly as awesome). I'd take a look at the HP envy 14 coming later this month.

 

Well, I've only used OSX a few times so I honestly can't say which one I am going to use more, I like Windows 7 I have no problems with it, the reason I was sold on the MacBook was the long battery life, and the huge touchpad that lacks hardware buttons (which I hate and never use).

 

Honestly, I know the Windows platform inside out and I still run Windows 7 on desktop.

However, I haven't had the urge to run Windows on my MBP, OS X is more fluent and intuitive in my opinion.

 

I'd like to make a suggestion to pay the extra $150 and get the MBP if you can.

The extra features:

-Backlit keyboard
-Better screen
-Aluminum body
-SD slot
-etc

All are well worth the small $150.

 

^ +1 for this !