Differences Between Windows Bootcamp on Mac vs Windows on a Windows PC

[wesrk]

I'm not saying that the person (s) that wrote that are ignorant in this subject, but a few teachers I saw from from the systems and industrial engineering department, thought that dual booting was you running OSX and Windows at the same time, this is because at some point someone said that a mac could dual boot and then showed parallels, which of course is not booting into windows.

Just a thought, maybe that's what they meant, or they meant to say virtualization but the person writing the thing got mixed up, etc.

And just to add my vote in this, there is no difference, for all that matters you are running Windows the same as you would on a dell, hp, etc.

 

[jav6454]

It's about viruses. Ignorant administrators think that a computer without virus protection will compromise their network. Running Windows, of course, will.

Windows itself is a security threat for any computer environment. The whole dam OS is one giant virus.

There are some very discrete areas where you NEED a PC. Here are a couple I can think of off the top of my head:

1. If you are planning to utilize AutoCad in a college class, well you'll need a PC.
2. If you are attending a Law School that uses a Windows only test-taking software package (and there are MANY), well you'll need a PC.

You MAY be able to run these applications under bootcamp or Fusion/Parallels but, I would check with enrolled students at your school who use this software to see how they address this. I know for a fact that some Law Schools say you are on your own from a support standopint if you use the test taking software with either Bootcamp or a virtual machine on a Mac. And believe me, a law school prof will have zero compassion and just won't give a ***** if you are having compatibility problems on a test day.

Sometimes you need to go along to get along so be very well informed before making your purchase.

Running Windows thru BootCamp is the same thing as having a PC with the same hardware running Windows, no difference. So it won't matter.

I'm going to go ahead and repeat what a member before me said. I'm guessing by dual booting they meant OS virtualization or in other words, having OS X and Windows run side by side. My college (University of New Orleans) offers internet based test, but those test are taken in a special "LockDown Browser" which is Windows inly, prevents access to other PC functions unless you finish the exam and is only for online test usage. Having a VM machine defeats such purpose, since one can use Spaces and slide into OS X and use Safari or Firefox to gain access to previously denied information. That is the only reason I think why they won't allow a Mac doing "dual-booting". However, I'm sure if you show that you are not running both at the same time and running Windows only, then I think you can have your Mac.

If your school doesn't like Macs and that's why it has that stupid rule (cause its stupid), then I personally would consider changing college. Liberty of choice is inherent in the US, and OS selection shouldn't dictate your education quality.

 

[sushi]

But one could install Slax and run XP via virtualisation too. Though to most of the world linux is still a nerds-only OS.

Or you could run VMware on the PC side.

As you state, there are ways to run virtualization on the PC platform as well. However, I would venture to say at this juncture, most PC folks don't think about it compared to the Mac community.

I would really like to know what their rational is.

 

[windywoo]

Hmm...can anyone verify this?

Unfortunately there is no way to verify it until someone goes to that college and takes that course

 

[Gav Mack]

University of Dayton...I agree with you, but they really do have a requirement not only a suggestion like most universities. I guess he is going to call them to see why on earth they are so weird about computers. Here is the page they have about the computers see if you guys can make heads or tails of it.

I reckon a letter from a lawyer would fix that. There's absolutely no difference with a Mac running bootcamp which meets those hardware specs than a standard Windows PC.

Then there's the Windows 7 question - on October 22nd it's Windows 'Vistory' day

 

[upinflames900]

I'm running VMware with XP Pro and Windows 7 RC, and I guess I don't
consider this a "dual boot" (as they describe it) - that is, I don't have to
reboot my iMac every time I switch into PC mode. If I want to share files,
I leave them on the Mac desktop and they are instantly visible on the PC side.

As I understand things, if you do get some sort of "bug" on the PC side, the
whole VMware approach essentially "quarantines" the PC environment so
there would not be any cross-contamination out of an infected PC VM onto
MacOS.

Anyway, that probably doesn't help getting through the thick skulls of the
university IT folks . . . Good luck!

No they don't consider that a dual boot, but you are right I would prefer that method to having to reboot your computer every time you switch. I personally do the same thing with parallels.

 

[upinflames900]

I'm going to go ahead and repeat what a member before me said. I'm guessing by dual booting they meant OS virtualization or in other words, having OS X and Windows run side by side.

No dual booting is referring to a bootcamped mac where you have to restart to change OSs. I can understand why you may run into a few (however minute) problems with a virtual machine, but just not with bootcamp.

 

[upinflames900]

I'm not saying that the person (s) that wrote that are ignorant in this subject, but a few teachers I saw from from the systems and industrial engineering department, thought that dual booting was you running OSX and Windows at the same time, this is because at some point someone said that a mac could dual boot and then showed parallels, which of course is not booting into windows.

Just a thought, maybe that's what they meant, or they meant to say virtualization but the person writing the thing got mixed up, etc.

Good point on this, he is going to check with Dayton to see if that might be the case. Another point to bring up...Dayton has some kind of special agreement with HP for computers as well. This could be some kind of political move to try to force any subject that does not really need a mac (like for film making, pictures, etc) to use a windows. From what I understand though, they used to actually furnish HP computers to the students as part of tuition, but then changed this year. Now they just make it really easy and "suggest" that you buy HP but do not demand it (they just demand windows).

 

[Hawk4x4]

Those requirements in general are ridiculous.

XP Pro is an understandable requirement for security reasons, but why Vista Business? What does that edition add that a college would require? Are they going to force you to give them access to your remote desktop? Do they also require a fax machine? It just seems like nonsense to me.

The only logical reason I can think of is if you have to interface with the school server.

 

[mslide]

I'm going to go ahead and repeat what a member before me said. I'm guessing by dual booting they meant OS virtualization or in other words, having OS X and Windows run side by side. My college (University of New Orleans) offers internet based test, but those test are taken in a special "LockDown Browser" which is Windows inly, prevents access to other PC functions unless you finish the exam and is only for online test usage. Having a VM machine defeats such purpose, since one can use Spaces and slide into OS X and use Safari or Firefox to gain access to previously denied information. That is the only reason I think why they won't allow a Mac doing "dual-booting". However, I'm sure if you show that you are not running both at the same time and running Windows only, then I think you can have your Mac.

This is exactly why a university would put a restriction on Macs in place... their idiotic "lockdown" software only works in windows and using another OS can get around it. Since they are not smart enough to secure things properly, they put ignorant restrictions on the user like this (even though one could find ways to get around these sorts of things with a windows computer).

Even if you showed them that you are using bootcamp and truly turning your mac into a "windows pc", that's not good enough for people like that because the option is still there for you to reboot and run windows in parallels. Instead of them having to worry about special cases like this, they just put blanket restrictions in place.

I don't think there's much you can do. They have the power and even if you wiped OSX completely off and only installed windows (not that anyone would do that to a mac), they won't get it. They'll see the big white apple sign and tell you to not use it.

What most likely happened is that one student ruined it for all mac users. He/she was probably using a Mac and trying to get around their security protocols by running OSX and windows at the same time. He/she got caught and now you have this stupid restriction.

I'd find some cheap, used windows laptop to use for tests and use my macbook for everything else.

 

[upinflames900]

This is exactly why a university would put a restriction on Macs in place... their idiotic "lockdown" software only works in windows and using another OS can get around it. Since they are not smart enough to secure things properly, they put ignorant restrictions on the user like this (even though one could find ways to get around these sorts of things with a windows computer).

Even if you showed them that you are using bootcamp and truly turning your mac into a "windows pc", that's not good enough for people like that because the option is still there for you to reboot and run windows in parallels. Instead of them having to worry about special cases like this, they just put blanket restrictions in place.

I don't think there's much you can do. They have the power and even if you wiped OSX completely off and only installed windows (not that anyone would do that to a mac), they won't get it. They'll see the big white apple sign and tell you to not use it.

You are probably right on that...the best way for them to eliminate that problem is to just put a blanket statement that bans all macs...okay if you were to buy a windows based laptop which brand? or if you know more specifically which laptop? thanks in advance for the help

 

[jzuena]

A friend of mine is looking for a computer for college, and according to the computer requirements it does not allow a mac bootcamped with windows. They want a Windows PC period. I am wondering if there is any differences in the way a mac bootcamped and running Windows works vs a regular Windows Computer. Does certain software not work? Are there certain things that do not work? Does anyone see any major concerns with having a bootcamped mac vs a Windows PC?

Thanks

The only difference is that Windows machines use real BIOS to boot and Macs use emulated BIOS to boot. Depending on how good Apple's emulated BIOS is, no application should be able to tell the difference. Hardware that might be able to tell the difference (things like SCSI or RAID controllers) can't be connected to a laptop anyway.

There requirements make no sense except for one, examinations.

Maybe they have Windows based software for their examinations that lock down your computer. So if you have an Apple laptop then it would be possible to run Windows XP or Vista using VMware or Parallels and thus circumventing their system and have access to the Mac and it's features such as Safari during the exam.

I can't think of any other reason why they would restrict you this way.

If I am correct, maybe a possible solution would be to keep your Mac and then get a cheap Windows laptop that meets their minimum requirements for testing purposes.

You alluded to it yourself in a later post, but running Windows in a VM under Windows is something I do all the time. My company has two different VPN systems that are incompatible with each other, so I run the VPN software in a VM rather than directly on my laptop.

 

[old-wiz]

maybe they don't want to get involved in support headaches.

 

[sushi]

You alluded to it yourself in a later post, but running Windows in a VM under Windows is something I do all the time. My company has two different VPN systems that are incompatible with each other, so I run the VPN software in a VM rather than directly on my laptop.

Cool. I understand where you are coming from.

I'm saying that due to the switchers and Mac users who need to run a PC (Windows) based application I would say that virtualization is more visible to the average Mac user than the average PC user.

Anyhow, I would love to hear the school's rationalization for their decision.

 

[jav6454]

You are probably right on that...the best way for them to eliminate that problem is to just put a blanket statement that bans all macs...okay if you were to buy a windows based laptop which brand? or if you know more specifically which laptop? thanks in advance for the help

That was my point also. The whole security thing only effective on Windows.... anyways, somehow I'm not surprised Windows goonies are hunting down anyone who thinks different.

 

[xIGmanIx]

Windows itself is a security threat for any computer environment. The whole dam OS is one giant virus.

Seriously? Its better to maintain silence and maintain the illusion of intelligence then to open your mouth and remove any doubt.

That was my point also. The whole security thing only effective on Windows.... anyways, somehow I'm not surprised Windows goonies are hunting down anyone who thinks different.

how many OS networks do you use at work? at home? at the library? its a totally different OS and i could understand businesses which a college is, to limit what is on their network in order to maintain over arching security.

 

[upinflames900]

Seriously? Its better to maintain silence and maintain the illusion of intelligence then to open your mouth and remove any doubt.



how many OS networks do you use at work? at home? at the library? its a totally different OS and i could understand businesses which a college is, to limit what is on their network in order to maintain over arching security.

You must not own a mac because if you did you wouldn't be saying that...and compare windows vista to mac os x and get back to me. Also read the topic, we are asking whether windows on a mac (via bootcamp) is the same as windows on a pc. The question isnt whether or not to use the mac os. Also mac is way more secure so that makes no sense at all.

 

[NovemberWhiskey]

The major difference I've noticed is that programs take longer to launch initially on the Mac when using Bootcamp. Once it is up and running, it works just fine.

So I wouldn't say bootcamp provides an identical experience, but it is pretty good.

Also, you lose some power management so battery life is worse than it would be if you were just using OSX.

You also lose some trackpad gestures (three-finger swipes for back/forward, obviously four-finger swipes for expose, show-desktop, app-switcher, etc.)

I had a Dell Studio XPS 16 with a 2.4 Ghz processor, 4Gb DDR3 RAM, and 5400 RPM 500 Gb HDD.

I also had a 3.06 Ghz MBP17 w/ 4 Gb DDr3 RAM, 7200 RPM HDD.

The Dell performed better imo running windows. Program launches were faster (initial launches), and it was just a little smoother overall.

The MBP does an amazing job though to be able to run windows as well as it does.

 

[upinflames900]

The major difference I've noticed is that programs take longer to launch initially on the Mac when using Bootcamp. Once it is up and running, it works just fine.

I had a Dell Studio XPS 16 with a 2.4 Ghz processor, 4Gb DDR3 RAM, and 5400 RPM 500 Gb HDD.

I also had a 3.06 Ghz MBP17 w/ 4 Gb DDr3 RAM, 7200 RPM HDD.

The Dell performed better imo running windows. Program launches were faster (initial launches), and it was just a little smoother overall.

The MBP does an amazing job though to be able to run windows as well as it does.

Has anyone else noticed this difference? Does mac really run slower when running windows compared to a windows pc? And does anyone know why if it does?

 

[r.j.s]

Has anyone else noticed this difference? Does mac really run slower when running windows compared to a windows pc? And does anyone know why if it does?

There is no technical reason it should.

 

[jav6454]

Seriously? Its better to maintain silence and maintain the illusion of intelligence then to open your mouth and remove any doubt.

You wanna get into an OS squabble with me? Seriously, its not a nice thing to do.

how many OS networks do you use at work? at home? at the library? its a totally different OS and i could understand businesses which a college is, to limit what is on their network in order to maintain over arching security.

I use 4 OS's in fact. Care to enlighten me what does that have to do with the current thread?

 

[NoSmokingBandit]

There is no technical reason it should.

I wouldnt be one bit surprised if apple intentionally crippled their drivers to make windows run slower.

 

[Shake 'n' Bake]

I wouldnt be one bit surprised if apple intentionally crippled their drivers to make windows run slower.

Then why does Vista run faster on a comparably equipped Mac?

 

[redwarrior]

I wouldnt be one bit surprised if apple intentionally crippled their drivers to make windows run slower.

Paranoid much? Just think about it.

 

[The Flashing Fi]

maybe they don't want to get involved in support headaches.

Did you guys miss this?

THIS is the reason. When you install Windows on your Mac, you're on your own as far as tech support goes. Call up Apple for help and they'll direct you to MS. Call MS up for help and they'll either charge you or direct you to Apple.

Buy a Dell, HP, ect and the tech support issue is resolved.

You must not own a mac because if you did you wouldn't be saying that...and compare windows vista to mac os x and get back to me. Also read the topic, we are asking whether windows on a mac (via bootcamp) is the same as windows on a pc. The question isnt whether or not to use the mac os. Also mac is way more secure so that makes no sense at all.

The biggest threat to a network isn't the OS. It's the users. Ignorant users who think that their OS is impervious to malware and being hacked causes the BIGGEST issue on networks.

Look at all the people who downloaded the latest version of iLife illegally, which included a trojan. How many people do you think downloaded it without thinking about any possible repercussion because they believe Mac OS X is impervious? How much of a headache do you think this caused for colleges, because of their ignorant computer users?

Yeah, keep up the thought that Mac OS X is "the most secure OS." You're not doing anyone ANY favor. Just do other people a favor when you dish out advice on computer security and keep that opinion to yourself.

And before you or anyone else ask if I've ever used Mac OS X, I'm typing this in Mac OS X right now.

Then why does Vista run faster on a comparably equipped Mac?

It doesn't. Please stop repeating statistically false claims from a 2 year old PC World magazine. They used a single test (WorldBench 6). It scored a 88 on the test and a Gateway laptop scored a 87. Due to the margin, claiming a victory like they did is misleading. But of course, PCWorld did it to gain attention, and attention they gained...

Oh, and it's worth mentioning. The Gateway E-265M that it looks like they tested actually had a slower processor (2.2 Ghz vs 2.4 Ghz), and it lacked a dedicated video card... Of course, PCWorld no longer has the Gateway they tested listed anymore...

PCWorld didn't attempt to test comparable laptops. They just grabbed a bunch of laptops and tested them.