Comments on: New Intel Macs Can Run Windows

By: Heidi

Heidi — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:26:56 +0000

I just bought a new iMAC and was told by the sales person I could run Windows on it. I have not tried yet, actually, I have not figured out how to do it. I can’t even find it on that computer. This is my first MAC, and I am kind of lost.
I downloaded a program that I used frequently in Windows, but there is no ‘run’ window on the MAC. Now I can’t run it?

By: cuckoobird

cuckoobird — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 15:56:45 +0000

…5 Year Pact Between Apple and Microsoft…

Apple and Microsoft have signed a 5 year pact that will allow Mac users to be able to run Windows on the new Intel Macs. While Apple won’t support running Windows on the Intel Macs, they have vowed not to do anything to stop it. This is very co…

By: release »

release » — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 00:42:33 +0000

[...] I’ll stop now. But really… it’s a bad idea. [...]

By: BIGJIM.ORG

BIGJIM.ORG — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 20:13:47 +0000

Run XP On Your iMac…

MSNBC.com: Microsoft, Apple Sign 5-Year Software Pact
Apple Computer Inc. won’t thwart users from loading Microsoft’s Windows operating system onto its new Intel-based Macintosh computers _ but don’t expect Apple to start offering a M…

By: BIGJIM.ORG

BIGJIM.ORG — Wed, 01 Feb 2006 20:13:47 +0000

Run XP On Your iMac…

By: cavemonkey50

cavemonkey50 — Sun, 15 Jan 2006 21:58:59 +0000

Jibone, nothing is being done to prevent Windows from being run on a Mac. It’s just at this current state in time XP does not support EFI. Microsoft’s next OS, Vista, is suppose to have EFI support and most distros of Linux currently support EFI.

What EFI is really preventing is OS X from being run on a standard Windows machine. Since it does not use BIOS, OS X does not have a way to use the hardware of the machine, locking it out. This currently works very well because there are only a couple of PC motherboards that have EFI (and also BIOS legacy support), however that’s about to change. If Intel has their way, almost all Intel motherboards will start using EFI, but as it usually is, Intel doesn’t get their way. BTX anyone? I do think Intel will get their way with EFI, though, because EFI is yet another part of DRM, and the XXAA is all over that.

By: Sunday Roast - it’s always a good day when you see Daniel Craig’s naked bum at Bright Meadow

Sun, 15 Jan 2006 13:01:10 +0000

[...] New Intel Macs Can Run Windows – a dual boot system? Oh, I am getting goose-pimply because all of a sudden the world of decent GIS is available on the Mac. [...]

By: Jibone

Jibone — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 06:10:25 +0000

Hmmm wonders will this EFI chip be crack? May be later on we will see “mod chips” for Macs to run Windows. Just a though.

By: Hisham

Hisham — Thu, 12 Jan 2006 06:02:40 +0000

Paul, Intel Macs “could” run Windows but as it stands, NO current shipping version of Windows will work. The reason being is that Apple is using EFI and not the standard PC BIOS. Windows Vista will support EFI although I haven’t test it myself to see if current CTPs have the functionality.

BTW, great site.

By: David Brunelle

David Brunelle — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 23:30:15 +0000

@Paul: Why x64 Windows can run on 32-bit chips:

“Windows XP Professional x64 Edition is designed to work with 64-bit processors from AMD and Intel that support the x64 extensions to the x86 architecture. These include the Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Mobile Athlon 64, Turion 64, and Opteron processors from AMD, and the Xeon with EM64T and Pentium 4 with EM64T from Intel.”

Some Dual Core processors (although actually 32 bit) have EM64T support.

I talked about some of these issues on my website today. Frustrating if you ask me. I was starting to get excited about buying a Mac. I have Mac and Windows at work, would love the same ability at home… just don’t want two computers.

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 22:30:53 +0000

Thanks for the link Mat. That being established, Vista may still be possible.

Microsoft’s 64-bit versions of Windows will also not work despite supporting EFI, because Apple’s Intel platform is strictly 32-bit at the moment.

Yes, but why does x64 Windows run on 32-bit chips?

By: Mathew Ingram

Mathew Ingram — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 22:02:22 +0000

BetaNews has more on the EFI problems that would prevent Windows from running on an Mactel machine (or at least 32-bit versions of Windows anyway). Link is here.

By: Paddy O'Furniture

Paddy O'Furniture — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 17:33:15 +0000

Actually Phil, it makes perfect sense to run Windows on Mac hardware if you are a hardcore gamer. While there are some good games written for the Mac, there just simply isn’t the level of support that there is for PC’s running Windows.

If you don’t play games and your OSX covers all of the apps you use, then yeah I totally understand. I think this is a great thing honestly. Although I would much rather be able to buy a standard PC and run OSX 10.4.4 on it than buy Mac hardware but only because of cost. The Mac hardware is too expensive for my taste.

Although if the new desktops come out and they are reasonably priced I will consider it.

By: multineedia » Blog Archive » Pre-order MacIntel

multineedia » Blog Archive » Pre-order MacIntel — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 14:01:17 +0000

[...] More info here. [...]

By: Windows auf den neuen Intel-Macs? at Drama-King

Windows auf den neuen Intel-Macs? at Drama-King — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 08:33:56 +0000

[...] Wenn da wirklich was wahres dran ist, gibt es wirklich keinen Grund mehr, der gegen den Kauf eines Apples spricht. So werden die neuen Intel-Macs, die gestern auf der Macworld vorgestellt wurden, zwar nicht mit Windows ausgeliefert, aber es soll durchaus möglich sein Windows zusätzlich zu installiern und dann das OS beim Booten zu wählen. In der Theorie hätte man dann Mac OSX zum Arbeiten und Windows eben zum Spielen. Was will man mehr? Möge das bitte jemand in Kürze bestätigen. Phil Schiller, Vizepräsident des weltweiten Apple-Marketings meinte dazu: “That’s fine with us. We don’t mind. If there are people who love our hardware but are forced to put up with a Windows world, then that’s OK.” apple gaming mac osx software windows // Used for showing and hiding user information in the comment form function ShowUtils() { document.getElementById(“authorinfo”).style.display = “”; document.getElementById(“showinfo”).style.display = “none”; document.getElementById(“hideinfo”).style.display = “”; } function HideUtils() { document.getElementById(“authorinfo”).style.display = “none”; document.getElementById(“showinfo”).style.display = “”; document.getElementById(“hideinfo”).style.display = “none”; } [...]

By: release » Spoiling the New Intel-Based MacBooks

release » Spoiling the New Intel-Based MacBooks — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 06:42:21 +0000

[...] I’ll stop now. But really… it’s a bad idea. [...]

By: Chris Boulton

Chris Boulton — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 05:03:38 +0000

Next question: can the version of Mac OS X which will run on the intel macs be made to run on generic x86 architecture? Now that would be interesting.

Not by Apple, ever.

However, it has already been done with the copies of OSX supplied on the developer machines – TPM cracked and able to run on standard machines (Hey, I used to have a makeshift Mactel at one stage). However, you need to get as close to the hardware of the actual Mac’s for driver compatibility anyway.

By: cavemonkey50

cavemonkey50 — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 04:49:31 +0000

Actually although Windows can technically run on the new Intel macs, XP will most likely be out of the question. The new Intel macs use an Extensible Firmware Interface instead of a regular BIOS. Vista is set to support this, but most likely XP will never support it. Now @Phil: You tell me. :-)

By: Phil Crissman

Phil Crissman — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 04:34:49 +0000

I’m more interested in running Linux on one. I can’t imagine putting Windows on either of these new machines; I’m not an anti-MS zealot, it just doesn’t make sense.

Other than simply proving it can be done, of course. :-)

Next question: can the version of Mac OS X which will run on the intel macs be made to run on generic x86 architecture? Now that would be interesting.

By: Kristin

Kristin — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 04:31:51 +0000

Wait… so you can’t vice versa that and run osx on a regular ibm compatible comp?

I held off on buying a powerbook when they first announced the intel chip because i was hoping that I would be able to run osx on my current computer.

That is snazzy though. The only reason I kept this computer instead of switching to a mac before is because I play pc games.

By: Dennis

Dennis — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 03:25:25 +0000

That would be nice as my work is a Windows shop and it drives me mad at times.

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:54:02 +0000

Give it a week and then places like Anandtech and TomsHardware should have definite answers. :-)

By: Chris Boulton

Chris Boulton — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:52:39 +0000

Question is, has anyone actually tried it yet and what sort of hardware incompatibilities did they run into? I’d assume not that many because they’d be using mostly standard Intel and other branded components for things like USB/Firewire hubs, keyboard interface and that sort of thing.