If I buy a new macbook with Apple, will they help me install a dual operating system?

Question

If I buy a new macbook with Apple, will they help me install a dual operating system?

I've heard Bootcamp does this, but I've never owned a Mac before, and am daunted by the change. I would love a Mac for ease of use, as many of my friends seem to love it, but for school purposes, my PC laptop is better. My PC needs to be updated, though, and I really want to spring for the Mac, I just don't want to lose being able to not have to do my homework in a computer lab. A friend has dual operating systems on hers, and says it works beautifully for running both, though I don't know what macbook she's got. If I go to an Apple store and get a laptop from them, even bring the Windows 7 operating system (I'm NOT doing Windows 8), will they help do this for me? Does anyone know if it is alright to have the dual systems, or if it takes away from the hardware's ability to work? ANY advice is welcome.

MacBook, Windows 7, Windows 7 AND iOS

Posted on Dec 24, 2013 9:38 PM

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Answer 1

Number88

Level 3

806 points

Dec 25, 2013 3:27 AM in response to AlisonGriffin

Yes Bootcamp is a set of utilities and software drivers that assists in the installation of Windows on a Mac.

No, it won't affect your Mac's hardware in any way.

Bootcamp has instructions available which you can print out before you use it.

On the latest Macs only 64 bit versions of Windows are supported. Windows 7 does seem to be a little problematic though, for some.

Merry Christmas! 🙂

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Answer 2

dalstott

Level 4

2,639 points

Dec 25, 2013 10:19 AM in response to AlisonGriffin

Check out the links below to virtual machines for Windows. If you don't need intense graphics ability they might be what you need.

http://www.parallels.com/

http://www.vmware.com/products/fusion/

http://lifehacker.com/5714966/five-best-virtual-machine-applications

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Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Dec 26, 2013 6:27 AM in response to AlisonGriffin

It is not hard. Boot Camp allows running Windows natively, same as on a laptop PC would be with a few differences in fan and thermal control and drivers.

Once installed natively which would be dual-boot setup, you can then install and use VMware or Parallels to assign the Windows partition for use as a VM inside OS X, no more need to dual boot unless you want to.

All of the information can be printed out from Boot Camp Assistant utility, or from the support help page and link to the manual:

http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp

Paragon CampTune is a commercial product that is designed expressly for this task. http://www.paragon-software.com/home/camptune/ It consists of a downloadable ISO that needs to be burned to a disc and booted from in order to resize the partitions costs US$19.95.

Mac 101: Using Windows on your Mac via Boot Camp

https://support.apple.com/kb/HT1461

http://www.apple.com/support/bootcamp/

Helpful Apple Support Resources (Forum Overview)

Frequently asked question

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4818

Older Lion version for the manual:

http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/boot_camp_install-setup_10.7.pdf

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Answer 4

Allan Jones

Level 9

68,912 points

Dec 26, 2013 7:53 AM in response to AlisonGriffin

Welcome, Alison!

Your question was:

If I go to an Apple store and get a laptop from them, even bring the Windows 7 operating system (I'm NOT doing Windows 8), will they help do this for me?

I don't think anyone here can give a definitive answer becasue we are not Apple employees--just end-users like you. I don't think this is a standard service offered and I'm pretty sure that not every Apple Store Genius knows how to use Bootcamp.

The best action is to ask your local Apple retail store if they can do that service. I suspect it could vary from store to store, so you are better off in a city that has more than one Apple Store.

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