Which Windows version?

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I've got a MBP on which I'm thinking of installing Windows to run some aps that aren't Mac-compatible. Is there a "best" or an "ideal" version of Windows for the MBP? My wife has a PC that's more powerful and has more resources than my Mac, the PC's running Vista (I think), and it's a REAL DOG as far as performance goes. I'd hate to have Windows on my MBP perform the same way.

Maybe I'll just buy a cheap used PC laptop and use that instead.

Thanks.
 

chscag

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You didn't tell us which MacBook Pro you have (year and model), but basically... a MBP from 2010 until 2013 can only run Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.
 

Raz0rEdge

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Depending on what apps you want to run, you might explore the virtualization route by getting VirutalBox (free) or VMWare Fusion/Parallels ($70) and then grab a copy of Windows 7 and you're good to go.

I wouldn't suggest any version of Windows prior to 7.
 

Raz0rEdge

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You didn't tell us which MacBook Pro you have (year and model), but basically... a MBP from 2010 until 2013 can only run Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.

Just to elaborate on this a bit..this is through Boot Camp..
 
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Thanks for the responses. Sorry for omitting MBP info, but here it is:
Hardware:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro8,1
Processor Name: Intel Core i5
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB

Software:
System Version: Mac OS X 10.7.5 (11G63)
Kernel Version: Darwin 11.4.2

Intel HD Graphics 3000:
Chipset Model: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Type: GPU
Bus: Built-In
VRAM (Total): 384 MB
Vendor: Intel (0x8086)
Device ID: 0x0126
Revision ID: 0x0009
Displays:
Color LCD:
Display Type: LCD
Resolution: 1280 x 800
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Built-In: Yes

The apps I want to run don't state specific Windows requirements other then release-level, so Win 7 or 8 should be OK. However, a flight simulator states the following graphics requirements:

Minimum Recommended System: (Note: Some graphical features may be disabled. Aerodynamic calculations will remain high-quality)
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8
Local administrator access required
Intel Pentium 1.0GHz or equivalent
512 MB RAM
10 GB Hard Drive Space
DVD Drive
3D Accelerated Video with:
32 MB Dedicated Video Memory
Full Windows DirectX 9 compliant (Shader Model 2.0 or better)
Optimal System: For best graphical performance
Dual Core 2.4GHz CPU
2 GB RAM
3D Accelerated Video with:
512 MB dedicated video memory
Pixel Shader 3.0 support.

If the sim is a problem there is a Mac-compatible sim I could use instead.

Thanks again.
 
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WIndows 7 definately. Windows 8 and 8.1 with it's lovely metro interface I don't even like on a PC. But that is just my opinion. :)

Lisa
 

chscag

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I agree with Lisa. Choose Windows 7 x 64 bit. Windows 8 is horrible, however, 8.1 has an improved interface along with some added enhancements.
 

vansmith

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Minimum Recommended System: (Note: Some graphical features may be disabled. Aerodynamic calculations will remain high-quality)
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8
Local administrator access required
Intel Pentium 1.0GHz or equivalent
512 MB RAM
10 GB Hard Drive Space
DVD Drive
3D Accelerated Video with:
32 MB Dedicated Video Memory
Full Windows DirectX 9 compliant (Shader Model 2.0 or better)
Optimal System: For best graphical performance
Dual Core 2.4GHz CPU
2 GB RAM
3D Accelerated Video with:
512 MB dedicated video memory
Pixel Shader 3.0 support.
Someone will be able to speak to this better than I but the graphic requirements there suggest that Boot Camp might be a better option that virtualization (VMWare, Parallels, VirtualBox). VM software has one weakness - graphics performance. While it has gotten much better over the years, it doesn't seem ready for gaming.
 
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WIndows 7 definately. Windows 8 and 8.1 with it's lovely metro interface I don't even like on a PC. But that is just my opinion. :)

Lisa

Yep! and for me W7 professional is the best on W7 versions. What do you think? It's lighter
 

chscag

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Where are you getting this information? Pull down the MBP tab on this page, Apple says otherwise.

Not the way I read it.
 
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I still say boot camp and Windows 7 pro. Windows 8.1's only plus factor is if there is a touch screen and obviously that is not available with the mac. In my opinion the only advantage to Windows 8.1 is the touch screen interface.

BTW: Vista was what I call one of Microsofts "In between" OS's. They had a winner with XP but needed to boost revenues so Vista hit the scene. It is a resource hog. Sloppy coding that created lots of issues. I believe its soul purpose was to act as a precursor to Win 7. it gave them time to refine and fix the problems then create a new OS, give it a new name - 7 - and charge another $100 or more to upgrade to an OS that actually worked the way Vista should have. Sometimes I wonder if that is not also the same process they are following for Win 8???? hum.... We shall see. :)

If you get the chance to upgrade your wife's computer to 7 I bet you will see a huge difference.

Lisa
 
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Maybe I'll just buy a cheap used PC laptop and use that instead.

Windows 7 gets my vote and believe me, it will run light years better on your MBP than it will on ANY " cheap used PC laptop". Win 7 is what Vista should have been and has matured into Redmonds best OS yet in my opinion. Win 8, without Startisback or Classicshell, is an unusable mess.

Edit- Almost forgot, use Bootcamp.
 

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