Windows XP - 2011 Macbook Pro Compatibility

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So forgive me is the is uber noob...just order a new 2011 macbook pro (my first mac since my first comp, way back in '95). will installing xp via bootcamp work without any problems? just want to make sure before i shell out the money for it. id rather use xp than buy windows 7 cause i only intend to use windows for games, and xp costs less ;D

thanks in advance for any helpl
 
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Yes, it will install smoothly. I have Windows 7, and it runs my games great! I play Starcraft 2, Half Life 2, and L4D2. They all run really smoothly.

Congrats on the new shiny Mac!

- Kyle
 
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I believe Win XP must have Service Pack 2 to work. Forget where I read that.
 
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Thanks for the replies. Im planning on getting XP sp3 from discount mountain software (cheapest ive found it). will that not work? (they have sp2 as well i believe)

Macbook should be here friday...can we fast forward time?:D
 

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XP SP3 will work just fine. Make sure that it's a full install version otherwise you can not use it as there is no way to eject the disk once you start the installation. The disk will eject after the install is finished.
 
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I've moved your post to a more proper forum; please be sure to check the forum descriptions in the future to find the best place to post.

By posting in the right forum you help people not only find your question faster, but it helps others looking for the same information in the future.

Thanks for understanding!
 
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Sorry I figured the switchers forum was correct. Thanks for letting me know
 
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Hi sorry for my potential cluelessness...but i thought that the new MBPs didn't support Windows XP at all?
 
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Hi sorry for my potential cluelessness...but i thought that the new MBPs didn't support Windows XP at all?

They sure do. That's what Boot Camp is for. Or a virtual machine like Fusion or Parallels or Virtual Box.
 
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I meant more that the brand new 2011 MBPs and Air's only work with Windows 7 via bootcamp and that back compatibility has been removed? Looking on the site now i can only find the note about the Macbook Air but i'm sure i've seen it somewhere. This is why i purchased Win7 for my new MBP rather than using my current XP version.

Please tell me if there is a work-around as I can still send it back! :)
 

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I meant more that the brand new 2011 MBPs and Air's only work with Windows 7 via bootcamp and that back compatibility has been removed? Looking on the site now i can only find the note about the Macbook Air but i'm sure i've seen it somewhere. This is why i purchased Win7 for my new MBP rather than using my current XP version.

Please tell me if there is a work-around as I can still send it back! :)

I can't answer this definitively, but I think you made the right call going with Win7.

The trouble with brand new hardware (and the 2011 MacBook Pro has a lot of stuff that is so new, it's practically bleeding edge) is that a lot of the component manufacturers are not making Windows XP drivers at all. So, to be frank, I'd be surprised if you can get XP running and fully functional on a 2011 MBP.
 

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I agree fully with cwa107's advice to you. About the only way you're going to be able to get XP running on that new a machine is to install it via Parallels or Fusion. Both provide virtual drivers, however, you will not be able to run any graphic intensive application or one which needs 3D rendering. Stick with Windows 7.

I have both Windows 7 (Boot Camp partition) and XP SP3 (via Fusion) and can tell you that Windows 7 is far better. I only use the XP VM to run software that will not run in Windows 7.
 
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I agree fully with cwa107's advice to you. About the only way you're going to be able to get XP running on that new a machine is to install it via Parallels or Fusion. Both provide virtual drivers, however, you will not be able to run any graphic intensive application or one which needs 3D rendering. Stick with Windows 7.

I have both Windows 7 (Boot Camp partition) and XP SP3 (via Fusion) and can tell you that Windows 7 is far better. I only use the XP VM to run software that will not run in Windows 7.

so did i just waste $125 buying xp?
 

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Welp, there's one way to find out.... ;)

i can return xp. if i dont install it (obviously). think im gonna do that and just go with windows 7. i guess the last question is: 32 or 64 bit?
 

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so did i just waste $125 buying xp?

Can you return it? (Normally unopened software can be returned.) Otherwise give it a try and see if it will work with a Boot Camp setup. Or, as I stated in my last reply, install it using VM software.
 

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i can return xp. if i dont install it (obviously). think im gonna do that and just go with windows 7. i guess the last question is: 32 or 64 bit?

64-bit, and you can buy the Upgrade version if you want. That will come with both versions.
 
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Depends on how much memory you have - 32 bit will access up to 3 GB of RAM. If you have 4 GB installed, 32 will probably work just fine - the performance difference between 3 and 4 GB is unlikely to be noticeable. If you have more than 4 GB, however, 64-bit may make sense. 32 bit may be a slightly simpler OS to manage, however, driver-wise and other things. You won't otherwise see any real world difference for most applications IMO.

Boot Camp will run XP SP2 or higher, Vista or Win7 just fine. Not to worry.

Cheers
 
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just finished installing windows 7 and am typing this post in windows. Counter Strike: Source is downloading...i'm psyched!
 

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