Apple is dropping Boot Camp support for Windows 7.

[Eug]

Really? I just bought ten the other day with a few mouse clicks. Wasn't hard at all and they came with Windows 8 licenses should we choose to upgrade at any point.

Sounds like you're talking about corporate purchase, since end users don't generally buy 10 PCs at a time.

 

[accguy9009]

Sounds like you're talking about corporate purchase, since end users don't generally buy 10 PCs at a time.

So John Q Public, aka Joe Six pack can't navigate over to Amazon or New Egg on his or her iPhone? I thought that's one of the things Siri was for?

 

[Eug]

Amazon and Newegg don't actually have physical stores.

Kinda hard to get first hand experience with a physical object via an iApp.

 

[accguy9009]

Amazon and Newegg don't actually have physical stores.

I will make a note of that. So your point is it is difficult or too challenging for some individual to let their fingers do the walking and actually purchase a Windows 7 computer over the internet or using their phone? I thought lots of ordinary average guys were already doing just that? I must be under-informed as I was lead to believe folks were buying computers with OS X Mavericks, Chrome OS and even Linux all day, every day in greater numbers using keyboards and touch devices than ever before. Choosing your OS is no different than choosing what toppings go on the next pizza you have delivered.

 

[Eug]

I will make a note of that. So your point is it is difficult or too challenging for some individual to let their fingers do the walking and actually purchase a Windows 7 computer over the internet or using their phone? I thought lots of ordinary average guys were already doing just that? I must be under-informed as I was lead to believe folks were buying computers with OS X Mavericks, Chrome OS and even Linux all day, every day in greater numbers using keyboards and touch devices than ever before. Choosing your OS is no different than choosing what toppings go on the next pizza you have delivered.

Stop being obtuse. I never said it was impossible to buy a Windows 7 computer. I said it's becoming harder and harder to buy one. If you just walked into a Best Buy and had a look around, you'd know exactly what I'm talking about. However, I suspect you know that already.

These days, if I'm going to recommend spending a chunk of cash on a Windows computer, I'm also going to recommend checking it out in person whenever possible. With Macs, you generally have an idea what the machine is all about just by reading the specs. There are a very limited set of models available, and the main features don't actually vary much. But even then, people get burned. I always tell people who haven't bought a MacBook Air before to go and compare a MacBook Pro beside it. Then they realize that the MacBook Air's screen is crap in comparison. On the Windows side, it's a total crapshoot. There are a bazillion different models available, that just going by paper specs is probably a bad idea, unless you're just going for lowest cost.

And if you're actually going to try test-drive a computer in advance before purchase, it's becoming harder and harder to do so if you want Windows 7.

 

[accguy9009]

Amazon and Newegg don't actually have physical stores.

Kinda hard to get first hand experience with a physical object via an iApp.

The physical object being a computer with Windows 7?

 

[accguy9009]

Stop being obtuse. I never said it was impossible to buy a Windows 7 computer. I said it's becoming harder and harder to buy one. If you just walked into a Best Buy and had a look around, you'd know exactly what I'm talking about. However, I suspect you know that already.

These days, if I'm going to recommend spending a chunk of cash on a Windows computer, I'm also going to recommend checking it out in person whenever possible. With Macs, you generally have an idea what the machine is all about just by reading the specs. There are a very limited set of models available, and the main features don't actually vary much. But even then, people get burned. I always tell people who haven't bought a MacBook Air before to go and compare a MacBook Pro beside it. Then they realize that the MacBook Air's screen is crap in comparison. On the Windows side, it's a total crapshoot. There are a bazillion different models available, that just going by paper specs is probably a bad idea, unless you're just going for lowest cost.

And if you're actually going to try test-drive a computer in advance before purchase, it's becoming harder and harder to do so if you want Windows 7.

This thread is about Boot Camp support for Windows 7 ending for the Mac Pro. You inferred people should not care as it is hard to get a computer running windows 7 anyway. It is not but that's irrelevant because the folks who want to run Win 7 via Boot Camp already are familiar with Win 7 and want to be able to run it when they want too on the Mac Pro. I believe Apple could still provide support for Win 7 without breaking a sweat on the Mac Pro they just have chosen not to. That is Apples decision to make and while I respect that I just disagree with it. People who want/have to run Win 7 on this machine have other options to do so and that is what they will do.

I did not understand your point when you first made it and I understand it less now.

 

[JAG87]

Not to those who want to boot into Windows 7 when they feel the need.

Who the f wants to boot into an OS that takes longer to boot? In fact, give me just ONE sensible reason why anybody would choose to buy Win 7 over Win 8? This is akin to the same argument of people clinging on to XP. When you do that, you end up with what IT personnel all over the world are dealing with right now, which is scrambling to phase out all XP machines before support ends and malware blows up.

This on the other hand, is Apple's way of doing things. Forcefully push people towards what is correct. You may not agree with it, but it's how things should be done. To have a more optimized, homogeneous, and safer platform, people need to compromise and conform. Apple users understand this and we have no issue with it. I may sound communist, but giving people who have no clue the choice is actually the wrong thing to do.

 

[sa7an1]

Who the f wants to boot into an OS that takes longer to boot? In fact, give me just ONE sensible reason why anybody would choose to buy Win 7 over Win 8? This is akin to the same argument of people clinging on to XP. When you do that, you end up with what IT personnel all over the world are dealing with right now, which is scrambling to phase out all XP machines before support ends and malware blows up.

This on the other hand, is Apple's way of doing things. Forcefully push people towards what is correct. You may not agree with it, but it's how things should be done. To have a more optimized, homogeneous, and safer platform, people need to compromise and conform. Apple users understand this and we have no issue with it. I may sound communist, but giving people who have no clue the choice is actually the wrong thing to do.

no its the same situation when people refused to upgrade to vista from xp, most of which did indeed upgrade to 7 and of them most will not go to 8. im sorry but windows 8 makes using the computer more of a pain in the ass than i would like or would bother trying to adjust to. i would be fine with 8 if i could 100% completely disable metro.

 

[Oyeve]

Who the f wants to boot into an OS that takes longer to boot? In fact, give me just ONE sensible reason why anybody would choose to buy Win 7 over Win 8? This is akin to the same argument of people clinging on to XP. When you do that, you end up with what IT personnel all over the world are dealing with right now, which is scrambling to phase out all XP machines before support ends and malware blows up.

This on the other hand, is Apple's way of doing things. Forcefully push people towards what is correct. You may not agree with it, but it's how things should be done. To have a more optimized, homogeneous, and safer platform, people need to compromise and conform. Apple users understand this and we have no issue with it. I may sound communist, but giving people who have no clue the choice is actually the wrong thing to do.

1. Win8 sucks ass. Especially in a real work environment. It may work fine at some douchey direct marketing company but not in a real work environment.

 

[smackababy]

1. Win8 sucks ass. Especially in a real work environment. It may work fine at some douchey direct marketing company but not in a real work environment.

How exactly does it not work in a real work environment? Because of the Metro screen? What is your job exactly? Measure the start menu on various screens? That is literally the only reason you can't "do any real work" on a Windows 8 machine.

 

[RampantAndroid]

1. Win8 sucks ass. Especially in a real work environment. It may work fine at some douchey direct marketing company but not in a real work environment.

...if you say so. I've been using it for years at work now, and finally at home. I don't love modern, but it works fine. Win+X was a great addition. Beyond that, everything works fine for me.

 

[accguy9009]

In fact, give me just ONE sensible reason why anybody would choose to buy Win 7 over Win 8? I may sound communist, but giving people who have no clue the choice is actually the wrong thing to do.

Some people already own a legit license for 7 and may want to use it. Some people prefer Win 7 over Win 8.1 for reasons of their own. While we primarily use Win 7 at work my windows machines run 8.1 for personal use. I find no need for any hacks bringing the old start menu back. It is not my place to tell someone it is illogical to use one supported OS over another. Certainly I have my own preferences but if someone wants to buy a Mac Pro and run Windows 7 on it when they so choose I am not offended by that in any way.

 

[Rakehellion]

Windows 8 is vastly superior to 7 technologically. So you have to do an extra click to get rid of Metro. Boohoo.

Don't like Windows 8? Mac OS X is even better.

 

[Oyeve]

How exactly does it not work in a real work environment? Because of the Metro screen? What is your job exactly? Measure the start menu on various screens? That is literally the only reason you can't "do any real work" on a Windows 8 machine.

Many of my databases wont run on it. Many of my companies SW wont work properly on it. This is a real world work scenario. Win8 is NOT the end all be all OS for all environments.

 

[JAG87]

Some people already own a legit license for 7 and may want to use it. Some people prefer Win 7 over Win 8.1 for reasons of their own. While we primarily use Win 7 at work my windows machines run 8.1 for personal use. I find no need for any hacks bringing the old start menu back. It is not my place to tell someone it is illogical to use one supported OS over another. Certainly I have my own preferences but if someone wants to buy a Mac Pro and run Windows 7 on it when they so choose I am not offended by that in any way.

Someone spending 3K on a computer can certainly afford to spare some change for a Windows 8 license, which in itself is a good investment since once you've set up boot camp and you've set up your work space, you'd want it to last as long as possible without fearing loss of support.

Your second point that some people prefer Win 7 to 8 is ridiculous. Only idiots and bigots would. I don't support Win 8 as being a good OS. In fact, the combination of Win 8 and Office 2013 and being fed up with having to be my own IT support is what pushed me towards OSX in the past year. But Win 8 is newer, and that matters a lot going forward.

Many of my databases wont run on it. Many of my companies SW wont work properly on it. This is a real world work scenario. Win8 is NOT the end all be all OS for all environments.

Lol, and somehow that's the OS' fault? Yes, I'm sure it has nothing to do with your company's software being outdated POS, your IT not wanting to bother upgrading hundreds of machines and not wanting to pay for new software.

Now this is a real world corporate scenario.

 

[Eug]

Windows 7 support is a real benefit to some people. To argue otherwise is denying the truth.

That said, the population who must have a Mac and must run Boot Camp on it specifically with Windows 7 is pretty small.

Like I said before, those companies who require Windows 7 support don't buy Macs for their customers, and those companies who support Macs, support them with OS X.

 

[Oyeve]

Lol, and somehow that's the OS' fault? Yes, I'm sure it has nothing to do with your company's software being outdated POS, your IT not wanting to bother upgrading hundreds of machines and not wanting to pay for new software.

Now this is a real world corporate scenario.

I did upgrade the companies desktops, to windows 7, Not windows 8. The software we use works in windows xp and windows 7 but not on 8. So, we should spend tens of thousands of dollars to try to make it work on 8 or just spend 90 bucks per license to use windows 7? Its a no brainer, windows 7. Just because something is new and shiny doesnt make it good. I know none of my colleagues are going 8. Its just not a good OS. You may prefer it but most dont.

 

[ControlD]

Windows 7 support is a real benefit to some people. To argue otherwise is denying the truth.

That said, the population who must have a Mac and must run Boot Camp on it specifically with Windows 7 is pretty small.

Like I said before, those companies who require Windows 7 support don't buy Macs for their customers, and those companies who support Macs, support them with OS X.

This x100.

This whole thing is a complete non-issue.

 

[JAG87]

...

You obviously didn't get my point at all. Let me address your questions.

So, we should spend tens of thousands of dollars to try to make it work on 8 or just spend 90 bucks per license to use windows 7?

Of course not, carry on with Win 7. Since operating systems last forever and Win 7 support will never end, you will be just fine and dandy. You've now purchased something that expires in 2020 vs something that expires in 2023 for basically the same price.

Just because something is new and shiny doesnt make it good.

Of course not. I find Win 7 and Win 8 equally as shit when there is a perfectly viable better alternative called OSX.

I know none of my colleagues are going 8. Its just not a good OS. You may prefer it but most dont.

I don't prefer it. But that doesn't make a "just not a good OS". Setting aside the GUI (which has never been Microshit's forte anyway), Win 8 is an improvement over Win 7. That much is a fact. Apple is many steps ahead of consumers like you and they knows this, therefore they are dropping support for a superseded operating system so that they can de-clutter and focus on quality driver support, which is Apple's way and why their stuff just works. I've had far less issues installing Win 8 on my MacBook than on other PCs... that should tell you something.

Anyway, this is such a pointless argument. I am glad they dropped support. If you use an operating system, you are at the mercy of who created it, so out with the old, in with the new.

 

[debian0001]

Windows 8 is pretty terrible as a Windows Server sysadmin. So in my opinion, it's a terrible OS.

 

[Rakehellion]

I did upgrade the companies desktops, to windows 7, Not windows 8. The software we use works in windows xp and windows 7 but not on 8.

So your software is a piece of crap that's written for XP and hasn't been updated in years. Should have stayed with XP then.

And how many of those computers are Macs, exactly?

 

[Oyeve]

Windows 8 is pretty terrible as a Windows Server sysadmin. So in my opinion, it's a terrible OS.

Exactly. The people on here saying its better than 7 are just not IT people. And if they are they are not very advanced, probably level one break-fix. IE, geek squad BB workers.

So your software is a piece of crap that's written for XP and hasn't been updated in years. Should have stayed with XP then.

And how many of those computers are Macs, exactly?

Its a rather great piece of SW. And I only have 2 macs for the douchey design "artists" as we all know design people swear by mac for their designy things but the real GOOD designers are on PCs because it actually works properly.

 

[Phynaz]

You sure say douchey a lot.

 

[RampantAndroid]

Many of my databases wont run on it. Many of my companies SW wont work properly on it. This is a real world work scenario. Win8 is NOT the end all be all OS for all environments.

What software? Anything that runs on Win7 *should* run on Win8+. There's no real breaking changes.