Apple has pledged to support Windows 7 by the end of the year, for those Apple computer users that want to dual install the latest OS's from both Apple and Microsoft on their Macs.
Win 7support for Macs should be here by the end of the year, for those Apple waverers that like to have the option to dabble on both sides of the fence.
"Apple will support Microsoft Windows 7 (Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate) with Boot Camp in Mac OS X Snow Leopard before the end of the year. This support will require a software update to Boot Camp," the company posted on its website.
Authentic copy required
Users will obviously have to own an "authentic copy of Microsoft Windows 7 or Microsoft Windows 7 upgrade" and some of the early Intel-based Macintosh computers will not support Windows 7 running in Boot Camp. Specifically, these ones:
- iMac (17-inch, Early 2006)
- iMac (17-inch, Late 2006)
- iMac (20-inch, Early 2006)
- iMac (20-inch, Late 2006)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2006)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2006)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2006)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2006)
- Mac Pro (Mid 2006, Intel Xeon Dual-core 2.66GHz or 3GHz)
Alternatively Apple users can choose to run Windows 7 virtually instead of opting for the the Boot Camp dual-boot solution, using Parallels Desktop 4.0 for Mac which already includes support for 32-bit Windows 7.
Additionally, the forthcoming VMware Fusion 3 is set to offer full 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 7 support for virtualization on Mac OS X.
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salamat
October 29th 2009
4. In case it's of help to anyone, below is a link to enable the installation of 64-bit Windows 7 on older (2006/7/) Core 2 Duo iMacs etc
http://mactyler.com/technology/how-to-make-a-windows-7-64bit-mac-compatible-dvd/
(Without taking this action, installation gets stuck at 'select CD drive stage' )
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kreamy_nougat
October 24th 2009
3. Support and Technical Support are 2 different things.
Support - Usage or installation of software or hardware does not void warrenty or coverage agreements and maybe assisted during installation and removal of hardware and software
Technical Support - Assistance with troubleshooting, basic usage and resolving conflicts with other software related to the orginal product
Apple has "supported" boot camp since it left beta in 2006 and became part of the 10.5 OS and technical support the installation, removal of boot camp installer and the partitioning of the hard drive. This has nothing to do with the installation of windows, operation of windows or hardware limitations during windows usage. This is not likely to change in the future since windows is not an apple product. Its really no different then expecting apple to technically support adobe photoshop or other third party programs and applications.
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ravnwolf
October 24th 2009
2. Wonder what Apple will "support" in their update? I've been boot camped with Windows 7 RTM since RTM was available and I've had no issues at all. Granted it's 32bit, so I guess that Apple's update may fully support 64bit Windows 7 installations for boot camp?
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dm22
October 24th 2009
1. Should also mention Sun's free VirtualBox. Runs great.
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