Windows-Only On A Mac

There has been a fair amount of discussion on here lately regarding the desirability of running windows as the primary operating system on a Mac. I submitted the question to Walt Mossberg's column at the Wall Street Journal, and his response was published:

Q: Would you discourage someone from buying an Apple Macintosh with the intention of running Windows as the sole or primary operating system? In your opinion, would running Windows as your primary operating system present more significant issues than simply the lack of a right-click button, keyboard differences and other minor issues?

A: Apple makes beautiful hardware, and, in my experience, it runs Windows quite well. In fact, the mouse and keyboard problems you cite are easily overcome, since you can plug almost any USB keyboard and mouse made for Windows into a Mac and they will work fine, right-mouse button and all.

However, what makes a Mac a Mac is primarily Apple’s OS X operating system, and the software Apple bundles with it, the iLife suite. If you don’t intend to use that, I don’t see much point in buying an Apple computer. You won’t get the advantage of the Mac’s lack of viruses and spyware, which stem from the operating system, not the hardware. And you can buy a Windows computer for less than the least expensive Mac.

In my view, the main value of the Mac’s ability to run Windows is that it allows Apple owners to use the few Windows programs they require or prefer that lack Mac equivalents, while primarily running the Mac operating system and programs designed for it.

http://mailbox.allthingsd.com/

Basically the same answer many of you have been giving, but I throw it out there fwiw. To me, it was a somewhat surprising answer because in previous columns he has spoken quite highly of the Mac's ability to run Windows well.

 

Yea it does run windows well, it runs it as well as a windows pc.

But if youre getting it JUST to run windows, and have no intention of running osx at some point, then your basically just paying extra for the design.

You can get a close to comparable pc, for a lot less.

It's just nagging at me though, why do you want a mbp JUST to run windows on? (cause it seems that you dont want osx at any point in the future)

 

That's not what I'm looking to do, sulkorp, but the question seems to come up fairly often. At least a few people on here appear to be using it this way with no major complaints. I assume the primary reason is that they like the design or like having the apple logo close by.

 

To some people design, build quality, customer support, and all that stuff are very important, more so than money.

The big issue is that it's really not that much more expensive, if at all, to buy a mac over a "pc". Sure, you can get a windows laptop for $400 from walmart, but it's also got hardware that's ~3 years old. When you start looking at the bleeding edge components that Apple uses, you'll notice the prices sky rocket. Couple that with build quality, superior design, and astounding customer support and you've got a winner. Oh, and I don't think it's applicable to compare computers like the dv series from HP or the inspirons from Dell to anything from Apple, the build quality and components seperate these machines.

A comparable to MBP Inspiron 1520 costs about 1700, that's with a 2.2 C2D, bump that up to a 2.4 and you've added about 200 dollars. And you have to pay for support that you get for free from Apple, so tack that on there too. Now it ends up that the Inspiron is actually right at the price point of the MBP.

What's my point? It's perfectly acceptable to buy a Mac to run Windows as a primary OS, if that's what the buyer wants. It's no more expensive than buying a Windows based laptop from the start.

</topic>

 

I completely agree with the answer.

 

The main reason I discourage people from buying a Mac to run Windows is the higher price that it would take; you pay for OS X and iLife and such when you buy a Mac, and to run Windows you will also need to get a separate Windows license.

If you don't mind paying that extra bit, go right ahead and get a Mac to use Windows .

[Simple and concise answer from me; I've had to explain myself way too often about this issue, so I'll keep it simple here ]

 

Asus V1S-B1 is a business class notebook that has similar specs to the 2.4 GHz MBP but costs ~$2000. This includes a 3 year warranty with 1 year accidental damage. Other differences would be that the V1S's screen resolution is one step up from the MBP's, eSATA port, 3 USB ports, and an HDMI port but lacks Firewire 400, DVI, and only has a 1.3 megapixel camera.

Of course the V1S lacks some of the other Mac amenities like the backlit keyboard, MagSafe power adapter, size/style, and OS X. Customer service and build quality are a bit less objective but for just the basic components (CPU, RAM, HDD, and videocard) the V1S and a few other laptops can be a lot cheaper.

 

LOL, it's like taking Apple's bleeding edge technology and installing an OS that's has features and functionality dated 5 years back. I'm speaking in terms of Vista. If XP, even older technology. Windows has it's uses for many of us but to make it primary when Leopard is on the system? What for?

 

Bleeding edge technology EH ???
If I remember correctly the MB is still using a Napa platform....
The MBP does have SantaRosa but no HDMI no eSATA no TurboCache no SSD so guess its not that "bleeding edge"
Neither have Quads....ooooops that must not be leading edge I guess LOL
And build quality between HP,Dell and Apple ?
Whom do think is building boards for dell and apple anyways ???
I think maybe if you had said "and ya man the apple has a better designed case "

back lit keyboards and LED screens DEFINATELY put it ahead

 

I currently have a 2.4GHz 15.4" MBP with the 256MB 8600GT.

In all honesty this is my 14th notebook computer, and I primarily run Windows on it. There are a few glitches with running Vista on it still which I assume will be cleared up with the new Leopard drivers.

This MBP runs Vista better than any other notebook that I've owned err well besides the HP Pavilion HDX "notebook."

The build quality of Apple MBPs are pretty solid however the hardware is just as easily damaged as any other HP, Dell, and so fourth. The "edge" that Apple has would be the anodized aluminum chassis and backlight keyboard. The chassis helps the heat escape very well without having the fans blazing all the time. Other than that really there is nothing special about them.

In my opinion there is nothing wrong with running Windows primarily on an Apple. If your going to drop $2,700 you can throw it out of a window if you please.

 

I will only run windows if I can't find a program to substitute it in mac or games

 

The V1 has a crap battery, just like every Asus out there. If all you want are basic components, stick with dell and you'll go a long way.

 

Thank you! We've been getting a lot of flak for our views on the subject and its nice to see that someone else out there shares the same views.

 

well, yeah, running vmware fusion in background doesn't really eat that much resources - so you can always use the programs you really need in unity mode. For all other I stick with os x
And yeah, i started long back when DOS was the king...

 

It really depends. There are situations where a Mac can provide better value even if you don't plan to use Mac OS X.

It's not common, but it's not that unusual either.