Will I be able to use Windows 7 on my MBP?

[Kennedy]

When I'm getting my computer (my 17" MBP) for college, I'll need to run Auto CAD (only for Windows). Therefore, I'll need to run Boot Camp. However, by this time Windows 7 will surely have been released. Apple will update Boot Camp or whatever to make sure I'm able to run Windows 7 on my Mac, right?

Also, I noticed the guide on installing Windows on an external drive. Is this exceedingly difficult? Am I better off just getting a larger internal HD (AC is a very heavy program, +/-25gb)?

Here's what the school says, on purchasing Macs:

There are several issues to be aware of when choosing a Mac. AutoCAD does not run natively on OSX. If you will be running AutoCAD, then a copy of Microsoft Windows will also need to be purchased and installed in a dual-boot environment. Also, students are not permitted to print on the large-format printers from their personal computers. Therefore all files must be made PC-compatible, and be transferred to a PC in the lab in order to print.

 

[11800506]

Boot Camp currently works with the Windows 7 beta with a few minor driver errors, but by the time Windows 7 is released, Apple will eventually support it and consequently release drivers for it.

You are much better off just installing it on your internal drive, so if you think you need a larger drive I would get one. However the HDD in the in MBP is user replaceable, so I would recommend buying an upgraded drive from a third party source as it will be much cheaper than buying it through Apple.

As for if AutoCAD will work in Boot Camp - it should work perfectly fine, although some Autodesk products have been known to have licensing conflicts with Boot Camp so I would look into that before you buy your computer.

 

[jons]

When I'm getting my computer (my 17" MBP) for college, I'll need to run Auto CAD (only for Windows). Therefore, I'll need to run Boot Camp. However, by this time Windows 7 will surely have been released. Apple will update Boot Camp or whatever to make sure I'm able to run Windows 7 on my Mac, right?

Also, I noticed the guide on installing Windows on an external drive. Is this exceedingly difficult? Am I better off just getting a larger internal HD (AC is a very heavy program, +/-25gb)?

Here's what the school says, on purchasing Macs:

It's really a simple procedure, and should work fine. I've been running Win 7 for a few weeks, and it's great.