64-bit Vista on MacBook (Late 2008)

[mmntech]

I'm thinking about getting one of the new vanilla MacBooks to replace my old iBook G4. I would like to run 64-bit Vista Home Basic or Business on it in Boot Camp. However, Apple claims that 64-bit versions of Windows only work with the MacBook Pro and MacPro. They recommend only 32-bit Windows be used. I know the processor is 64-bit and most of the hardware is the same as the more expensive laptop. Lack of certain drivers is the only technical reason I could think of. I can't see any reason I can't but I don't want to plop down $100 and find out it won't let me use it. Does anybody have 64-bit Windows running on a vanilla Macbook?

 

[Keitero]

You should be able to use the 64-bit version without any issues. There is not much hardware difference between the late 08 MB and the MBP. Apple said the same thing about 64-bit Windows on the older MB and I got my friend's working... just.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Keitero
You should be able to use the 64-bit version without any issues. There is not much hardware difference between the late 08 MB and the MBP. Apple said the same thing about 64-bit Windows on the older MB and I got my friend's working... just.

The issue is the drivers. Did all of your friend's hardware work? All of it? Meaning the fkeys for controlling volume and brightness, the trackpad for scrolling, all of that?

 

[mmntech]

I did some more checking around the internet and it seems x64 operating systems will install with some "friendly" persuasion. Apparently it works but there are issues with the wifi drivers. Given that it's a laptop, that's a major issue.

Perhaps I should look at this from a different angle. Is there any value in using x64 based Windows on a system like this performance wise. I can install up to 4gb of RAM with a 32-bit OS, which is plenty even for Vista. OS X is 64-bit native now anyway. I use Windows on my desktop mostly for light media work and gaming. I'd be using it on the Macbook for the same sorts of things.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: mmntech
I did some more checking around the internet and it seems x64 operating systems will install with some "friendly" persuasion. Apparently it works but there are issues with the wifi drivers. Given that it's a laptop, that's a major issue.

Perhaps I should look at this from a different angle. Is there any value in using x64 based Windows on a system like this performance wise. I can install up to 4gb of RAM with a 32-bit OS, which is plenty even for Vista. OS X is 64-bit native now anyway. I use Windows on my desktop mostly for light media work and gaming. I'd be using it on the Macbook for the same sorts of things.

There would not be that huge of an advantage. Bear in mind that the 4GB limit on Windows is 4GB total RAM. So, if you have 4GB of RAM, you won't actually get all of it since the GPU has some of its own.

The new MacBooks and MacBook Pros can take (hardware wise) 8GB of RAM. OS wise, at least for OS X, it has trouble with anything more than 6GB RAM. This is more an OS limitation on that specific machine than it is with the whole OS since the Mac Pros can utilize up to 32GB RAM.

 

[mmntech]

Remember we're talking about the vanilla Macbook, not the Pro. The 9400M on the Macbook is an integrated GPU and doesn't have its own discrete memory. It uses up to 256mb of system RAM. Therefore, you'd be able to use the full 4gb that 32-bit allows, theoretically. I'll stick with 32-bit then.

 

[Parasitic]

Is this the new Macbook?

Also Windows addresses the RAM via a driver, so you'd still be limited to 3.5GB - 256MB of video RAM.
I think you should be able to install x64 version of Vista on it...if you could get your hands on those 64-bit versions of bootcamp files off the internet somewhere (yes, they're out there).

The bootcamp assistant does not have check whether the disc you put in is x64 or x86.

 

[Parasitic]

Also you don't have to "plunker down" $100 to find out that it doesn't work...you can borrow a friend's x64 disc and install Vista without a CD-key and try it out for 30 days before you have to activate it.

 

[mmntech]

Originally posted by: Parasitic
Is this the new Macbook?

Also Windows addresses the RAM via a driver, so you'd still be limited to 3.5GB - 256MB of video RAM.
I think you should be able to install x64 version of Vista on it...if you could get your hands on those 64-bit versions of bootcamp files off the internet somewhere (yes, they're out there).

The bootcamp assistant does not have check whether the disc you put in is x64 or x86.

The boot camp files are on the OS X DVD. You have to manually execute the files to force x64 XP or Vista to install on "unsupported" systems. At least that's according to what I've been reading. That's not the issue. The problem is what works and what doesn't. I guess it wouldn't hurt to try though if I buy the new MacBook.

 

[Keitero]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: Keitero
You should be able to use the 64-bit version without any issues. There is not much hardware difference between the late 08 MB and the MBP. Apple said the same thing about 64-bit Windows on the older MB and I got my friend's working... just.

The issue is the drivers. Did all of your friend's hardware work? All of it? Meaning the fkeys for controlling volume and brightness, the trackpad for scrolling, all of that?

It worked fine. A bit of hackery was involved (manually installing some drivers while using the installer for others).

 

[mmntech]

Thought I'd update. I got the Macbook and sucessfully installed Vista on it. Everything works fine though the trackpad seems a little on the wonky side. Sesitive mouse input but sluggish click response. If anybody wants to know how to do it, here's how. Install Vista x64 to your Bootcamp partition and boot it up. Once in Vista, put the OSX install DVD in. If you try to do it through the auto run screen, it will tell you your Mac does not support the OS. Instead, manually browse the DVD for D:\BootCamp\Drivers\Apple and manually run BootCamp64.exe. This bypasses the compatibility check. It will install all the 64-bit drivers automatically. Runs very smoothly.

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: mmntech
Thought I'd update. I got the Macbook and sucessfully installed Vista on it. Everything works fine though the trackpad seems a little on the wonky side. Sesitive mouse input but sluggish click response. If anybody wants to know how to do it, here's how. Install Vista x64 to your Bootcamp partition and boot it up. Once in Vista, put the OSX install DVD in. If you try to do it through the auto run screen, it will tell you your Mac does not support the OS. Instead, manually browse the DVD for D:\BootCamp\Drivers\Apple and manually run BootCamp64.exe. This bypasses the compatibility check. It will install all the 64-bit drivers automatically. Runs very smoothly.

The trackpad has a lot to do with drivers, and a lot to do with how Windows handles trackpads. Honestly, IMO the MacBooks have the best trackpads on the planet, if you limit your experience to OS X. Once you get to Windows, all that goes out the window. From weird scrolling issues, to tracking issues, to right clicking issues.. they all are there.

 

[mmntech]

It works better than I expected, it's just registering some clicks that's the problem, right clicks especially. I expected that though. Besides, I'm using Vista mostly for media encoding work (ripping and converting DVDs), and playing games which requires a mouse anyway. I have a wireless mouse I use.