Which version of windows for this macbook pro / apps

[zepplin]

Hello, I've just gone and ordered the new Macbook pro 15'' with this spec:

- 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
- 4GB 1066Mz DDR3 SDRM-2x2GB
- NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB
- 250GB Serial ATA @ 7200

Now, i basically bought this laptop because i love the apple designs, and although i am going to try getting into OSX, I will be using windows for the vast majority of the time

I will be using windows for online poker, photoshop, autocad, 3dsmax, and maybe a bit of gaming :/ . I was just wondering what is the best version of windows to go for? I've been using xp for years and would like to give Vista a go now, but im unsure of which version of Vista to get? Theres 32/64 bit and different license options. Is the 32 bit vista premium home the best option to go for, or should i be going with 64bit? (im not even sure if 64bit works on this laptop)..... or should i just stick with xp

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[halo200]

I'll always go with XP mostly because its a lot cheaper than Vista right now and has the lower system requirements so less of your CPU time will be going towards actualy running the OS than your programs. But if you go with Vista im pretty sure that it comes with both 32 and 64bit disks and the Home Premium is probably the better one to get because it has all the basics in it like Aero and Media Centre. But running Vista makes a lot more heat than XP because of the higher CPU time givin to it.

 

[quicksilver]

I understand why people need to use Windows if they specific apps/games they want to run, but why spend all that money on a brand new Mac just to install Windows and use it as your primary OS?

Surely you could save money by getting a cheap older Mac to experiment with OS X and a blazing fast Windows laptop for your other requirements...?

 

[Calistoga]

I am using an Intel iMac, Core 2 Duo, 2.4 GHz, 4 GB of RAM. I decided to install Windows XP Pro, because I am using legacy software. I think you should go with Windows Vista Home Premium. In my work I have found Vista to be more stable and a little more secure than XP. Vista Home Premium 32-bit will only see about 3 GB of RAM. Vista x64 will see all 4 GB of RAM. Vista x64 has a 32-bit subset so you should be okay.

 

[zepplin]

Cheers, think ill go with Vista Home Premium x64 then (if it turns out to be a big fail ill resort back to xp)

Just wondering, should i be able to run my XP version of Photoshop CS2 on the Vista 64 OS?

 

[Calistoga]

Photoshop CS2 should work with Vista x64, because it (Vista 64-bit) has a 32-bit subsystem. In other words, 32-bit programs like Microsoft Office, work with Vista x64 without any problems. My one concern with the Intel Macs is that Vista x64 requires that ALL drivers MUST be signed. Many Windows computers are now being sold with Vista x64, and I am not hearing any howls of pain. I am starting to think that Vista x64 on an Intel Mac puts you more on the bleeding edge of technology. If there are driver issues that can't be resolved, you will have to downgrade to Vista Home Premium 32-bit. The only advantage to Vista x64 is that it allows you to access more RAM. The latest version of Photoshop is 64-bit for Windows but only 32-bit for Macs.

 

[zepplin]

Cheers for the replies.

One other thing i want to be sure of before i shell out AUS$350 for the retail version. The salesperson told that to get the x64 version, I need to buy the 32bit DVD set of Home Premium and then contact Microsoft, who will send me a dvd to update my OS to 64bit. All i do is pay Microsoft for the postage of this dvd. He also told me that i can use the 32bit version until my 64bit update arrives. Is this correct?

Thanks!