Author Topic: Windows/Linux On Mac? (Read 13927 times)

Cityscape · « **on:** July 28, 2009, 01:41:09 PM »

Can you install Windows or Linux on a Macbook with an Intel CPU?

I know that when Macs used the PowerPC you had to have a PPC OS such as Windows NT or Ubuntu 6.10

But now that Macs use Intel CPU's can they run Windows or Linux?
And what Linux would they use, an I386 disto?

socrates · « **Reply #1 on:** July 28, 2009, 02:51:43 PM »

you can in fact install windows on an intel cpu mac.

Apple even provides the software (installation gui and drivers) for windows xp and vista. (Do a google search of "boot camp")

As far as linux goes, it's definitely something you can install, but you need to have working drivers for your mac. The easiest way to do this is use parallels or vmware to install a virtual machine of linux on your mac. If you want a native boot version you may have to do a bit more searching.

Quantos · « **Reply #2 on:** July 28, 2009, 09:00:25 PM »

There are also even LUG's(Linux User Groups) that can help you install and run Linux on whatever computer you wish.

Cityscape · « **Reply #3 on:** July 31, 2009, 11:34:41 AM »

Quote from: socrates on July 28, 2009, 02:51:43 PM

you can in fact install windows on an intel cpu mac.

So you really run Windows Natively / Dual-Boot on a Intel mac?
How would Windows have working drivers then?

Quantos · « **Reply #4 on:** July 31, 2009, 12:11:47 PM »

Quote from: Cityscape on July 31, 2009, 11:34:41 AM

So you really run Windows Natively / Dual-Boot on a Intel mac?
How would Windows have working drivers then?

The drivers can be downloaded from the Mac site.

socrates · « **Reply #5 on:** July 31, 2009, 12:19:46 PM »

Correct. Or if you have Mac OS 10.5, they are on your install dvd.

Cityscape · « **Reply #6 on:** July 31, 2009, 03:54:06 PM »

So I could buy a Macbook, completely erase the HDD.
And Install Windows XP and it would work with drivers and everything?

Quantos · « **Reply #7 on:** August 01, 2009, 04:44:36 AM »

Why would you want to?

With the Mac I believe that the processor matters. Are all the new Macbooks Intel chips?

Unless it's for gaming you would get a lot more power with Linux, of course the whole 'ease of use' is a factor there.

jerryheavyarms · « **Reply #8 on:** August 01, 2009, 06:33:36 AM »

Hello,

If you would like to test a linux distro on a MAC, try using first a LiveCD of a certain distro. You could try out Ubuntu and see if all your peripherals would work on your MAC.

Cityscape · « **Reply #9 on:** August 01, 2009, 11:30:05 AM »

Quote from: Cityscape on July 31, 2009, 03:54:06 PM

So I could buy a Macbook, completely erase the HDD.
And Install Windows XP and it would work with drivers and everything?

Well I'd like to get a Mac and I want to run Windows XP or 7.

So I can erase the HDD and reinstall with Windows and use the windows drivers from the Mac disk?

socrates · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2009, 11:26:45 AM »

Quote from: jerryheavyarms on August 01, 2009, 06:33:36 AM

Hello,

If you would like to test a linux distro on a MAC, try using first a LiveCD of a certain distro. You could try out Ubuntu and see if all your peripherals would work on your MAC.

This is great advice.

socrates · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2009, 11:28:03 AM »

Quote from: Cityscape on August 01, 2009, 11:30:05 AM

Well I'd like to get a Mac and I want to run Windows XP or 7.

So I can erase the HDD and reinstall with Windows and use the windows drivers from the Mac disk?

I haven't ever tried to do it the way you're suggesting, and boot camp is not meant to work that way. Boot camp aids you in installing windows xp on a second partition or second hard drive... not as the primary OS. If you are going to install windows and completely remove Mac OS X, why would you even get a mac?

2x3i5x · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2009, 12:41:25 PM »

if you just want windows xp and you are not planning to do anything heavy duty, a cheap non-mac laptop or desktop would suffice as long as you got at least 512 mb of ram.

socrates · « **Reply #13 on:** August 03, 2009, 02:22:25 PM »

Quote from: 2x3i5x on August 03, 2009, 12:41:25 PM

if you just want windows xp and you are not planning to do anything heavy duty, a cheap non-mac laptop or desktop would suffice as long as you got at least 512 mb of ram.

agreed.

ThomasTheXPUser · « **Reply #14 on:** August 05, 2009, 04:15:18 PM »

BootCamp = Windows on Mac
VirtualBox = Linux on Mac

But buying a computer w/windows is a lot cheaper if you are just going to wipe the Mac Hard drive and install Windows

Helpmeh · « **Reply #15 on:** August 05, 2009, 04:25:44 PM »

What the people are saying is true. It would be cheaper to buy a Windows or use boot camp. (My friend uses it and he doesn't get problems.)

Cityscape · « **Reply #16 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:10:24 PM »

Quote from: ThomasTheXPUser on August 05, 2009, 04:15:18 PM

BootCamp = Windows on Mac
VirtualBox = Linux on Mac

But buying a computer w/windows is a lot cheaper if you are just going to wipe the Mac Hard drive and install Windows

But what happens if I want a Mac because of looks or something?

I just want to know if one can wipe the Mac hard drive and install Windows with drivers.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #17 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:13:23 PM »

Quote from: Cityscape on August 06, 2009, 10:10:24 PM

But what happens if I want a Mac because of looks or something?

Then your too shallow to be making a good purchase decision anyway.

Quote

I just want to know if one can wipe the Mac hard drive and install Windows with drivers.

Doubtful. Not sure if they changed it but for the most part the hardware is well tied to the OS it runs (thus the need for boot camp) a Mac is not just a PC with a different OS- the hardware is tied in with the Mac software.

Cityscape · « **Reply #18 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:15:03 PM »

Thanks BC.

That's what I wanted to know.

BC_Programmer · « **Reply #19 on:** August 06, 2009, 10:16:14 PM »

Oh yeah, forgot the

on my first part there.

2x3i5x · « **Reply #20 on:** August 06, 2009, 11:14:23 PM »

http://www.giveawayoftheday.com/paragon-ntfs-for-mac-6-5-english-version/

Get it before it expires today, it allows you to access normal windows files straight off the mac operating system without having to boot into windows!

socrates · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2009, 07:47:57 AM »

Quote from: BC_Programmer on August 06, 2009, 10:13:23 PM

Then your too shallow to be making a good purchase decision anyway.

Sorry, but true. If you're really only buying it for the look, that's pretty sad.

Quote from: BC_Programmer on August 06, 2009, 10:13:23 PM

Doubtful. Not sure if they changed it but for the most part the hardware is well tied to the OS it runs (thus the need for boot camp) a Mac is not just a PC with a different OS- the hardware is tied in with the Mac software.

This is correct. The main reason being, I believe, the bootloader. However, you could try installing windows via boot camp, set windows as the default OS, then format the mac partition via the Mac OS X bootdisk (you can format as fat).

If you do that, you may just be able to swing it. Do I think it's a big waste of money and a great waste of an operating system? Yes. To each his own.

Cityscape · « **Reply #22 on:** August 07, 2009, 12:50:14 PM »

Quote from: socrates on August 07, 2009, 07:47:57 AM

Sorry, but true. If you're really only buying it for the look, that's pretty sad.

I didn't say I was buying anything. I'm not planned on buying a Mac, I was just wondering.

Thanks for all your help.

socrates · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2009, 01:06:01 PM »

Quote from: Cityscape on August 07, 2009, 12:50:14 PM

I didn't say I was buying anything. I'm not planned on buying a Mac, I was just wondering.

Thanks for all your help.

I'm glad to hear that. While I love the aesthetics of the mac as much as any other mac user, I wouldn't recommend anyone buy it simply for the looks.

If you have any other q's that need clearing up, please let us know.

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Author Topic: Windows/Linux On Mac? (Read 13927 times)

Cityscape

socrates

Quantos

Cityscape

Quantos

socrates

Cityscape

Quantos

jerryheavyarms

Cityscape

socrates

socrates

2x3i5x

socrates

ThomasTheXPUser

Helpmeh

Cityscape

BC_Programmer

Cityscape

BC_Programmer

2x3i5x

socrates

Cityscape

socrates