Quick decision. To buy XP or Vista.....

[TBi]

note that the macbook doesn't have the dedicated video card capabilities for aero functions either (which if enabled will greatly reduce battery life)

Well technically the Macbook does have a dedicated graphics card, it's just integrated. It doesn't have dedicated graphics memory for sure but that's got nothing to do with the graphics card itself.

Also the graphics cards in all Intel Mac's support Aero at a hardware level.

Aero is automatically turned off when on battery power unless you change the power settings. Also Aero has the same effect on the battery on all laptops, not just ones with integrated graphics.

 

[Trainwreck707]

The Mac is not a fully Windows-compatible machine for work-critical tasks and XP to us certainly has seemed more stable than Vista under Boot Camp, unlike better-working professional-level hardware from manufacturers such as Dell, Lenovo and HP. If you had a real computer, I'd say get Vista64.

WTF? Why do people believe that BootCamp somehow allows your computer to run Windows. BootCamp has nothing to do with it. I, along with several others I know, are running different versions of Windows without BootCamp. So many people post here "which is better, Parallels or BootCamp?" BootCamp helps with partitioning a drive and loading drivers but it does not allow your Mac to run Windows. Take out your Mac formatted hard drive, put in a blank one, and put a Windows install CD into the drive. It will install the same as any other PC.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

WTF? Why do people believe that BootCamp somehow allows your computer to run Windows. BootCamp has nothing to do with it. I, along with several others I know, are running different versions of Windows without BootCamp. So many people post here "which is better, Parallels or BootCamp?" BootCamp helps with partitioning a drive and loading drivers but it does not allow your Mac to run Windows. Take out your Mac formatted hard drive, put in a blank one, and put a Windows install CD into the drive. It will install the same as any other PC.

Bootcamp also provides drivers for Windows though. And, sadly, Sesshi is spot on. While playing video games this morning, my computer restarted on me. Don't get me started over how I can only get 1.5 hours of battery life out of Windows XP, and when will they EVER update the video card drivers so I can use my external monitor's native resolution (1440 x 900)? Oh, and the mousepad drivers suck.

Yeah, Sesshi's right.. if you want windows, get a Dell Latitude- heck, they even offer next-day-on-site-service for an extra $20.

Just re-read the OP.. spend $900 and get a Dell. It's (IMHO) worth it if you have the cash to spare.

 

[Sesshi]

WTF? Why do people believe that BootCamp somehow allows your computer to run Windows. BootCamp has nothing to do with it. I, along with several others I know, are running different versions of Windows without BootCamp. So many people post here "which is better, Parallels or BootCamp?" BootCamp helps with partitioning a drive and loading drivers but it does not allow your Mac to run Windows. Take out your Mac formatted hard drive, put in a blank one, and put a Windows install CD into the drive. It will install the same as any other PC.

As the poster below you said, the use of Bootcamp is necessary to install several core compatibility (or as compatible as it's going to get) components of Mac operation with Windows. I'm perfectly aware you can get one to install Windows without actually installing BC - we've played with OEM installation by, as you say, jamming a disc in. It didn't make our install of Vista 32 or 64 any less comparatively+unacceptably unstable on the Macbook Pro (comparatively an HP 8000w series) or the Pro (Dell Precision T7400).

 

[Trainwreck707]

Jamming a disc in...that sounds harsh. I put the disc in before I swapped drives. And if what you mean by compatibility components is drivers, I collected those before I did the install. Many were better than the ones on the BootCamp install disc. If you don't want to spend the time finding them, you can still use the BootCamp drivers after the installation is complete. I use Windows 8 hours a day on a dell at work and my Mac Pro at home runs the same software as well or better.

One of the problems here is I think we're talking about very different computers. I can see how it may not be as stable on a laptop and that trackpad/built in monitor drivers may be lacking (although 1.5 hours of battery life while using XP is not typical) But as for the Mac Pro's, I haven't run into any problems.

 

[Infrared]

As the poster below you said, the use of Bootcamp is necessary to install several core compatibility (or as compatible as it's going to get) components of Mac operation with Windows. I'm perfectly aware you can get one to install Windows without actually installing BC - we've played with OEM installation by, as you say, jamming a disc in. It didn't make our install of Vista 32 or 64 any less comparatively+unacceptably unstable on the Macbook Pro (comparatively an HP 8000w series) or the Pro (Dell Precision T7400).

On a Mac Pro I have found Vista 64 to be completely stable
without installing any Apple Boot Camp drivers.

Perhaps, if you provide specifics, we can help you as you
appear to be struggling