What OS should I use for gaming on MBP

I just ordered a new Macbook Pro a few days ago...

2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo
15.4 Inch Glossy Display
2 gb DDR2
GeForce 8600gt 128mb
160gb 5400rpm HDD

This is my first mac and I plan to use windows a lot as I get used to OS X, which I believe is a better OS. However, I will always use Windows for gaming and intend on using the potential the MBP offers. On the desktop I've been using for the last four years, I've always used Windows XP Home However, the OS disc I have is pre-service pack 2, which I, to my great dismay, have since heard is not compatible with bootcamp. After reluctantly accepting the fact that I would be forced to buy a new copy of windows, I have now started to think about which version to go with.

I want to use the 8600gt's directx 10 capabilities, so i assume I should get Vista Home Premium, however I've also heard that XP Pro plays games with higher FPS. Also, does vista play all the games xp does, specifically older ones? And, if I decide to get Vista, should I get the 32 or 64 bit version. I've heard of better performance on the 64bit, but again, would all my old games run under the OS?

 

Hold up! If you have a legal copy of Windows XP you can slipstream it to SP2. Boot Camp will recognize it then.

This is a pretty late edit, by anyways, here's a discussion on Apple's forum that explains a bit about slipstreaming Windows XP to SP2.

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=432927&tstart=0

 

Yeah! I second that! I did this a couple days ago! works like magic! And you can use the Nero trial version to ubrn the boot cd too! I love free stuff...

 

You might also want to consider using VMWare Fusion, there will be a performance handicap, and some games might not work, and you will be limited to DirectX 8, but you will be able to install your XP straight away and won't need to reboot every time.

 

For gaming, both Fusion & Parallels are useless right now. And they will never be able to match bootcamp windows in performance. I have had no problems in running games in Vista, though if you already have a copy of XP, use it.

 

I agree that slipstreaming is the way to go with your current XP disc. To answer your question though, for now XP is probably the way to go until Vista has more time to mature. Now Vista does have DX 10, but last I checked DX 10 games are still few and far between, and the 8600 in the MBP really is not up to the task of running a DX 10 game.

 

its getting pretty close now, though.

before we would recommend switching to xp. now we don't recommend switching to xp if you already have vista installed. soon we will be recommending vista.

honestly, with a dx10 card, i would say go ahead with vista, take the plunge, and be able to use dx10 on games when it comes out.

i wouldn't want someone to buy xp and then feel like they need to buy vista ALSO for bioshock or crysis or ut3...

 

Slipstreaming seems like alot of work just to use Windows. I would never pay for 2 different OS. I'd probably stick with a PC made for Windows.

 

??

The original poster stated he wants to try out OS X while still having Windows for other tasks. You don't pay to slipstream XP to SP2. I don't understand what you're talking about.

 

Thank you for you opinions everyone.

I think I'm going to try and slipstream my current xp disc because I don't really feel like spending the money on Vista right after buying a $2000 laptop.

One concern I have though is that the Windows XP Home disc I have came with an Alienware computer several years ago. It has an Alienware logo on the disc instead of the Windows logo, but I have the serial number and have always used it a copy of XP Home. I have used the disc to install XP Home on several bare bones systems and have never had a problem. There's no reason it wouldn't work for slipstreaming SP2, right?

 

Well, its an OEM Windows install disc then. It should still work fine though.

 

as far as the original question- lets put it this way.

ut2004 (even after the patches) struggles on my brand new santa rosa macbook pro in os x.

 

It should work with no problems once you create a slipstreamed copy of it. Wouldn't hurt to try.