CANTONIO14

Q: Hi would like to know if i can use any windows 7 for bootcamp or do i need to buy a certain one? Also is it recommended to upgrade my ram?

I am trying to bootcamp my MacBook Pro (late 2011 model) and i need help. on what windows 7 to get and how much ram to upgrade

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 26, 2014 5:01 PM

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Q: Hi would like to know if i can use any windows 7 for bootcamp or do i need to buy a certain one? Also is it recommended to upgrade ... more

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  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Oct 26, 2014 6:41 PM in response to CANTONIO14
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    Oct 26, 2014 6:41 PM in response to CANTONIO14

    Assuming that you have the 15" Late 2011 MBP - MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011) - Technical Specifications, you can go up to 16GB RAM. From the base 4GB to 8GB and then 16GB.

     

    If up plan to switch between OS X and Windows, 4GB may be sufficient, but if you plan to use both simultaneously using a Virtualization solution, then more RAM helps.

     

    From Boot Camp 5.1: Frequently asked questions

     

    Which versions of Windows work with Boot Camp 5.1?
    You can use:

    • Microsoft Windows 8.0 and 8.1 (64-bit)
    • Microsoft Windows 8.0 and 8.1 Pro (64-bit)
    • Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
    • Microsoft Windows 7 Professional (64-bit)
    • Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate (64-bit)

    Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Enterprise versions of Windows 7 and Windows 8 are not supported.

    Are 32-bit versions of Windows 7 and 8 supported?

    No. Boot Camp 5 supports 64-bit versions of Windows 7, 8.0 and 8.1 only. Boot Camp 4 supports 64-bit and 32-bit versions of Windows 7, depending on the Mac model you have. For more information, see Boot Camp: System requirements for Microsoft Windows operating systems.

  • by CANTONIO14,

    CANTONIO14 CANTONIO14 Oct 26, 2014 6:49 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2014 6:49 PM in response to Loner T

    i have the 13 inch model can i still use bootcamp with 8GB of ram?

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Oct 26, 2014 7:10 PM in response to CANTONIO14
    Level 7 (24,596 points)
    Safari
    Oct 26, 2014 7:10 PM in response to CANTONIO14

    CANTONIO14 wrote:

     

    i have the 13 inch model can i still use bootcamp with 8GB of ram?

    Yes. Remember Bootcamp requires a reboot of the Mac to switch from OS X to Windows or vice-a-versa.

     

    Are you planning to use any Virtualization software to import Bootcamp/Windows into a VM for running simultaneously with OS X?

  • by CANTONIO14,

    CANTONIO14 CANTONIO14 Oct 26, 2014 7:47 PM in response to Loner T
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 26, 2014 7:47 PM in response to Loner T

    By virtualization what do you mean? because the reason why i want to run bootcamp is so i can run a few games. but if its a bad idea to do that with bootcamp. Ill just have to wait so i can build a gaming PC.

  • by Loner T,

    Loner T Loner T Oct 27, 2014 6:55 AM in response to CANTONIO14
    Level 7 (24,596 points)
    Safari
    Oct 27, 2014 6:55 AM in response to CANTONIO14

    Virtualization engines like Vmware, Parallels, VirtualBox allow a Bootcamp partition to be imported/used as a VM while OSX is running, without the need for a reboot. Bootcamp should be fairly simple to get up and running.