Considering Returning My MacBook Pro... Because of Windows

There's no doubt that the MacBook Pro is an incredible laptop. It has a great design and amazing build quality. Its' screen is second to none and the multitouch trackpad is the best touchpad I've ever used. Performance isn't exactly lacking either. OS X is also designed much better than Windows. Despite what I originally thought, software is really lacking on a Mac. Windows doesn't run too stable in Boot Camp on the new MacBook Pros either, it locks up too much, and the drivers can stop working (especially wireless drivers). I'm not really sure if I want to return it or not and get a gaming laptop. I've always wanted a MacBook Pro and now that I have one, it's not at great as I thought that it would be. Software support just isn't there and you can't do much on a Mac past the software it comes with and a few others.

 

Maybe you should list the things you're looking to do on OSX so others can help rather than just go and return a $2500 laptop.

Did you do a lot of research before jumping onto the OSX bandwagon?

 

Yeah, I did do a lot of research. One of my main problems is that Windows just doesn't work well through Boot Camp on the new MacBook Pro, which wasn't complained about too much until after I bought the system. The Mac can do everything I want, except play games, but I didn't realize how "left out" I feel by not being able to use all of the software that I want.

 

I'm kind of in the same position as you. I was depending on Windows for the software and was planning on installing Vista soon. It sucks to hear that it's a hassle to get it working. I myself didn't do much research before deciding on a MBP. Once I saw it's pretty design in the store I knew I had to have it. Ewps, my mistake! I know should've looked into it more. If I can find a reliable DC++ client, then I'll be 10 times happier then I am right now. I've tried Shakespeer, and 2 others that I can't remember.

Edit: NVM, I'm retarded I figured out Shakespeer.

 

Heya again Michaels. What do you mean exactly by Windows not working well through Boot Camp?

Edit: Oh, reread your first post and saw what you mean.

 

Hey Cha. By the way, for the hundredth time, my name is Michael . How's your m15x been working out? As you probably have already noticed I narrowed my laptop choices down to this and the m15x. If the m15x wasn't so old I would've probably went for that, though I didn't want to buy a laptop that's a year old. Hopefully Alienware will have a new 15"laptop out soon. I really liked my MacBook Pro at first, it's a great machine, though software is lacking a bit too much for me.

 

I don't really see why you are having so much trouble. I have Windows XP and it runs perfectly fine. I used to have Vista on my old MBP and it ran fine as well. All my drivers work and I have never had a single lock up.

I think you should keep the MBP and just get another desktop to use windows on. A new gaming desktop can be had for a reasonable price.

Or you can exchange your MBP for the 2.4 MBP or Macbook and use the money leftover to get that new PC.

 

Lol then Michael it is then

Yeah, I remember you posting in the which notebook should i buy forum. Breed did hint on the m15x, so maybe that would be a possiblity. Though I would advise against buying a new model immediately from AW. Wait till they fix the problems with it before buying.

Oh and still no problems with my m15x Michael. Thanks for asking

 

I think that only the 2.53GHz model is having problems with Windows, at least that's what I've noticed on the Apple support forums.

 

maybe it is a problem with you notebook?ask them for replacement!

 

As Xiurg said, maybe let the people from Apple check it out first Michael

 

I have the same laptop you have running 64 bit vista and I play games fine CofD4 and five and crysis with no problems. I would start from scratch with bootcamp and install boot camp drivers manually and make sure you install the latest java and direct-x. I had a problem initially by running the bootcamp exe but after I deleted my bootcamp partition and re-installed and did the things I mentioned I've had no more problems. The biggest thing you need to do afterword is to use SMC fan control while gaming in windows and set fan speed to max and you should be fine.

 

I've already tried reinstalling Windows, but that didn't help.

 

ask for replacement!

 

well. the thing isn't for everyone.

time to take it back and check out sager/clevo.

 

Sorry it didn't work out for you man, I have had 0 issues with my new 2.53.

And by that I mean I never had any wireless lock-ups, Windows is running just great, no BSoDs, no nothing.

And of course, OS X is still awesome.

Maybe you got a faulty unit or something?

 

I doubt that it's faulty since it works fine in OS X.

 

definitely give it some time, drivers can be updated with very little notice, and make sure to really look at all the windows options that you can try.

 

Maybe the Windows side of the disc is corrupt and the drivers did not install properly?

 

I agree that the MBP has an amazing screen. It is possible though to find windows laptops that have screens as good. Like the 1440*900 LED on Dell Studio 15.

The touchpad is definetly a big bonus of Apple. But a good synaptics touchpad comes very close for me. With the right drivers it also has two and thee finger gestures that work well.

 

I think I'll just exchange it. Some 2.53GHz owners are having a problem, some aren't, so maybe a new MacBook Pro is a good idea. Plus, my MacBook Pro came with some nicks and scratches out of the box, and a Booq case I bought scratched it further, which was disappointing that both companies have such low build quality standards all of a sudden.

 

I'm using 32 bits windows vista for gaming, and so far everything is just perfect. I don't see the difference at all... Maybe you should take your mbp to an apple store..

 

Hey ToshibaDude, I was wondering what version of XP you are running, because I don't know if the one I got would be a good choice. Do you have a like to your copy? Thanks!

 

Just return it, get a refund and buy a Windows PC ad be done with it. You said OS X doesn't have enough software for you and you're unhappy with the way it runs Windows. Not sure why you posted this thread, just return it and buy Windows PC so you'll be happy.

 

you mentioned that some owners are having a problem some aren't, I hope you also realize that maybe 5% of the people that own the machines are the one's actually posting any info about it in discussion forums. it isn't really a valid measurement quite honestly.

just use your own judgement.

 

I think I will keep my current MacBook Pro. I just really want Windows to work right. By the way, I contacted Steve Jobs about the Windows issue and I got a reply:

Thank you for your email to Steve Jobs at Apple. Your correspondence concerns an issue that we feel would be best handled in a phone conversation.

Unfortunately, your phone number was not included in your email. If you have not yet resolved the issue, please contact me at (xxx) xxx-xxxx (I replaced the numbers with xs), Monday through Friday, between 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Central time, or you may send me an email including your telephone number and a preferred time of contact. Our offices are closed tomorrow, Jan. 1, 2009 for the New Year holiday, but I will return on Friday, Jan 2, 2009.

Imagine if Steve Jobs picked up (doubt it, I'm sure that it'll be an Apple rep ).

 

It'll be someone from Apple's Corporate Executive Customer Relations department, they're usually quite friendly, just keep your cool and remember that making crazy demands will get nowheres with them.

One thing that I would like to see is improved drivers for Boot Camp, the difference between Mac OS X Leopard and Windows Vista in terms of overall stability and performance is night and day in my opinion, there are a lot of little quirks under Windows, for example on the notebook line-up the trackpad acts pretty funky and the keyboard doesn't always work 100%, the iSight camera looks weird under Windows in some applications (as if it were zoomed in), and overall it just feels weird.

 

I have a MBP and bought a Toshiba A305-S6898 just for Windows apps. and other PC only stuff.

 

just curious, what email address did you use for steve jobs?

 

[email protected]

 

dont use windows when you get a macbook pro.

i think you should give OS X a chance.

get a custom made desktop for windows.

if not then lenovo t500 might be a good alternative.

 

Michael, I'm running the same 2.53 mbp with Vista 32 bit installed via bootcamp and it's been a completely stable environment for gaming. I've been extremely impressed with the notebook's ability to play games and am currently running the following at 1920x1200 res:
Oblivion
Warhammer Online
Guild Wars
NWN2
Prince of Persia
Left For Dead

For the love of God DON'T get a m15x. That's the notebook I actually sold to purchase my unibody mbp. That was the most worthless hunk of cheap plastic I've ever spent money on. The build quality is horrible, especially when compared to an Apple computer. Put some research into OSX software and ask around on these forums. You might be surprised at the amount of software available. I do all my productivity in the OSX partition and absolutely love the operating system. The only drawback that I can find is that OSX doesn't run games very well. The only game I play under OSX is WoW. Still, it's not a huge issue to boot between the two for gaming IMO. I love my macbook pro.

 

I love my macbook pro as well, however, I'm having major difficulties running any games in Vista 32. I have the 2.4 Unibody with the 256MB 9600m GT. I'm suffering from massive slowdowns every 30 secs caused by the Broadcom wireless driver, with the wireless driver disabled, it performs better. I have yet to find a proper solution for this, I'm considering reinstalling Vista, but I can't see why I would need to do that...

Apple's support with boot camp has been pretty shotty right from the beginning with the crappy Kbdmgr utility that takes 100% CPU from time to time, I have to kill the application.

OPs concern is legit, as a primary Windows user(for work) this level of support is barely acceptable. I've been forced to do workarounds for a number of issues in Windows. Out of the box for OSX, it's been great but getting Windows Vista to run right has been a chore.

 

Yes, MAC OS X is the native platform for the Unibodies, however, they are advertised as being able to run Windows.
Any issue arising from bad software for Windows provided by Apple is perfectly legit. They're not created to primarily run Windows, but since that ability is one of their prominent features, they should do so flawlessly.

Not everything can be done in Mac OS - some professional applications, many games, remote desktop applications, need Windows to run. Although Apple understandably doesn't provide customer support for problems with Windows, there is no legit reason for them to not provide good drivers for it. Reportedly, the trackpad is still shoddy in Windows after the recent update to the drivers for it - I hope all these issues are fixed in the very near future, including the Keyboard Manager issues and all that.

 

Michael: make sure the problems are not transition related. BootCamp does a great job with Windows, especially after all the drivers are updated, etc.
When I made the switch to the Mac I initially (after about 3 weeks) thought I'd return the Mac and stay with Windows. However, I kept at it, lurking in this forum, continuing research, reading a ton of 'how-to' books at Barnes and Borders, and I've come to appreciate all that Mac can do.
Give yourself some time to adjust, have a little patience in the transition, and I think you might find things running a lot smoother than where you are now.
Best of Luck.

 

Well, I've got the 2.53 unibody with 500mb 9600m GT and I have none of the slowdowns or instability problems you guys are speaking of. Everything is completely stable for me. <shrugs>

 

QTF

I've had my mac for almost 2 weeks now and I'm still under the "Holiday Return Policy", which ends a January 9.

After just a week, I've been having remorse on getting the MBP (which is weird since I didn't even buy it - it was a christmas gift). It was even made worse when I collected all the libraries I needed for my 4th year engineering project; the API was built for Visual Studio 2005.

do'h

Then I found the VMWare Fusion.

It was awesome - games under boot camp, then productivity in OS X and VMWare Fusion. It even supports vvvv.

Now, I'm happy. Good way to start a year.