Where to buy Windows 7 for the Mac

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Level 1

13 points

Where to buy Windows 7 for the Mac

Greetings, Sentient Beings...

This question may sound like it has a obvious answer but still...

Where does one buy a full copy of Windows 7 that works best with a Mac and Bootcamp?

I ask this question because in the recent past I purchased a generic copy of Windows XP off the shelf to install on a PC computer. While it installed OK, it ran very poorly because none of the specific hardware drivers for the PC were included on the install disks (it used generic drivers for everything), and the drivers were not available from the hardware manufacturer.

I would like to avoid this situation on the Mac -- so where does one get a copy of Windows 7 that works transparently with the Mac hardware?

All constructive suggestions welcome.

Message was edited by: PlanckLimit

Quantum Singularity Core/variable pulse, Other OS

Posted on Aug 19, 2010 11:06 AM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Aug 19, 2010 11:39 AM in response to PlanckLimit

Any retail copy or even System Builder, from your Newegg, Amazon.

The motherboard drivers came from Apple on your OS X DVD.

Apple has had drivers since 2007 for XP and above.

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Answer 2

keriah

Level 1

96 points

Aug 21, 2010 7:38 AM in response to The hatter

The hatter wrote:
...or even System Builder...

For a related question... On Amazon (& elsewhere) I find a choice between a version of Windows for around $150 (Home Premium - GFC-00019) and one that is a bit under $100, that is identified as "OEM" (also labeled "System Builder" at Amazon). One difference is that the OEM versions are either 32-bit (GFC-00564) or 64-bit (GFC-00599), while GFC-00019 says that it is both in one package.

Is that the only difference? IOW, if I know that I only want (say) the 32-bit version, can I go with the OEM item?

Also, my Mini seems to be 64-bit ("Intel Core 2 Duo) according to a chart I found online. Is there a reason why I would not go with 64-bit Windows 7? I am planning to run under Parallels 5, if that is a consideration.

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Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Aug 21, 2010 8:55 AM in response to keriah

Those system builder are for one motherboard, can't install to a new motherboard later, and come in one 'flavor.'

Your processor is 64-bit, but your Mac firmware may not be.
Apple has a list of the unsupported 64-bit models (ie, they don't have EFI64).

Unless you have more than 3GB RAM, your Mac came out in 2008 or later, stick with Home Premium 32-bit. And VM can't make use of 64-bit.

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Answer 4

keriah

Level 1

96 points

Aug 21, 2010 9:29 AM in response to The hatter

The hatter wrote:
Your processor is 64-bit, but your Mac firmware may not be.
Apple has a list of the unsupported 64-bit models (ie, they don't have EFI64).

Where would I find that list?

Unless you have more than 3GB RAM, your Mac came out in 2008 or later, stick with Home Premium 32-bit. And VM can't make use of 64-bit.

I have 4GB and my Mini is one of the ones that came out in 2009.

But I think I will go with the combo (retail) package, and go with 32-bit first for the two simple things I need to run under Windows. Thanks for quick reply with the summary of the differences.

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