Windows 7 on Mac Mini

[Vermifuge]

OK boys lets put 'em away and get back on topic.

A few things on Windows 7 on a mini.

• Boot camp has weak 64 Bit Driver support. In fact i can't even properly use my magic trackpad when dual booting into Windows 7
• Drivers for booth the HD 3000 and the 6630M feel immature in Windows 7

I ran 3D mark and it reported I was under preforming by about 600 points for the system hardware. That just tells me Apple hasn't provided adequate drivers.

 

[ess5]

@Alucardx03: Thanks for answering the question, I appreciate it

@Vermifuge: Yikes...I'm relatively new to the Apple world, is there a typical "turn-around time" for updated drivers? I'll have my Win7 disc in a week or so, but I don't have to dual-boot anytime soon...think it'll be better to just live in Lion-world until we get some adequate drivers?

 

[jmcgeejr]

@Alucardx03: Thanks for answering the question, I appreciate it

@Vermifuge: Yikes...I'm relatively new to the Apple world, is there a typical "turn-around time" for updated drivers? I'll have my Win7 disc in a week or so, but I don't have to dual-boot anytime soon...think it'll be better to just live in Lion-world until we get some adequate drivers?

For me boot camp has always been under performing, what I usually especially for video cards is just get the drivers directly from the company and modify them to allow it to work.

 

[Mr.C]

OK boys lets put 'em away and get back on topic.

A few things on Windows 7 on a mini.

• Boot camp has weak 64 Bit Driver support. In fact i can't even properly use my magic trackpad when dual booting into Windows 7
• Drivers for booth the HD 3000 and the 6630M feel immature in Windows 7

I ran 3D mark and it reported I was under preforming by about 600 points for the system hardware. That just tells me Apple hasn't provided adequate drivers.

Would you suggest using Windows XP instead ? Does Lion support the use of Windows XP ?

I'm thinking about installing Windows to play PC games. That said Windows XP might be better for that. I would like to install Windows 7 though as I've used XP slot and want to dabble with Windows 7.

 

[Vermifuge]

Would you suggest using Windows XP instead ? Does Lion support the use of Windows XP ?

I'm thinking about installing Windows to play PC games. That said Windows XP might be better for that. I would like to install Windows 7 though as I've used XP slot and want to dabble with Windows 7.

Lion requires windows 7. There may be ways around that but when you start boot camp on a lion system it's windows 7 or bust. I can run 3 Windows XP systems via Parallels simultaneously on my i7 DC mini without any issues.

 

[Mr.C]

Another question regards which version of Windows 7. I was curious if you can just use an OEM version of Windows 7 or does it have to be a retail version ? Anyone know the answer to this.

 

[MrWillie]

Another question regards which version of Windows 7. I was curious if you can just use an OEM version of Windows 7 or does it have to be a retail version ? Anyone know the answer to this.

It doesn't matter. The main difference is with the OEM version, Microsoft will not provide any tecnical support and the OEM version is to only be used with that particular computer. (Activation is tied to the motherboard). If you scrap that computer, or replace the motherboard you are supposed to buy another copy of Windows. That being said, I have activated an OEM ver of XP Pro at least 10 times, but only on one machine at a time. (It currently resides on my iMac.) Never had an issue with it. I don't know if they are enforcing that policy with Win7 or if they only enforce it for the first few years of the OS.

 

[Vermifuge]

Another question regards which version of Windows 7. I was curious if you can just use an OEM version of Windows 7 or does it have to be a retail version ? Anyone know the answer to this.

I actually used a DELL OEM disk that had a full copy on it. however be careful though you can do a clean install from a Windows 7 upgrade disk You will not be able to activate it. You must have a FULL Windows 7 Install. You can install 32 bit and probably have better drive support. but 64 bit has issues

 

[Mr.C]

It doesn't matter. The main difference is with the OEM version, Microsoft will not provide any tecnical support and the OEM version is to only be used with that particular computer. (Activation is tied to the motherboard). If you scrap that computer, or replace the motherboard you are supposed to buy another copy of Windows. That being said, I have activated an OEM ver of XP Pro at least 10 times, but only on one machine at a time. (It currently resides on my iMac.) Never had an issue with it. I don't know if they are enforcing that policy with Win7 or if they only enforce it for the first few years of the OS.

Thanks for that. I was aware of Microsoft's tight control over installation but wasn't sure if the OEM would work on a Mac which already had Mac OS on it. I can get the OEM for £72 including shipping instead of the retail version which would cost £95.

I actually used a DELL OEM disk that had a full copy on it. however be careful though you can do a clean install from a Windows 7 upgrade disk You will not be able to activate it. You must have a FULL Windows 7 Install. You can install 32 bit and probably have better drive support. but 64 bit has issues

That's good to know. Thanks. If I'm just installing Windows to play a few Windows PC games does it matter whether it's 32-bit or 64-bit ? Would driver support on the new Mac Mini's be that much of an issue ? The retail disc comes with both versions but the OEM ones are sold separately. I have ordered the 64- bit OEM version from Amazon but I can still cancel it and get the 32-bit version.

 

[Vermifuge]

Thanks for that. I was aware of Microsoft's tight control over installation but wasn't sure if the OEM would work on a Mac which already had Mac OS on it. I can get the OEM for £72 including shipping instead of the retail version which would cost £95.



That's good to know. Thanks. If I'm just installing Windows to play a few Windows PC games does it matter whether it's 32-bit or 64-bit ? Would driver support on the new Mac Mini's be that much of an issue ? The retail disc comes with both versions but the OEM ones are sold separately. I have ordered the 64- bit OEM version from Amazon but I can still cancel it and get the 32-bit version.

My 3D mark was shy about 500 points. That's a pretty serious gap and all i can say is it mush be bad drivers. HID devices don't seem to work with the Magic track pad but my Razor mouse works fine.

I do quality Assurance testing and although I do the majority of my work with the use of Parallels I like having one Windows copy that i can boot into natively. Getting Windows up and running in boot camp was easy. but I imagine it will be weeks before we see updated drivers

 

[Mr.C]

My 3D mark was shy about 500 points. That's a pretty serious gap and all i can say is it mush be bad drivers. HID devices don't seem to work with the Magic track pad but my Razor mouse works fine.

I do quality Assurance testing and although I do the majority of my work with the use of Parallels I like having one Windows copy that i can boot into natively. Getting Windows up and running in boot camp was easy. but I imagine it will be weeks before we see updated drivers

HID ?

I'm not bothered if the Track Pad or Magic Mouse doesn't work. I would like the Apple wireless keyboard to work although I do have a brand new wired Logitech keyboard which I had to buy to use with Migration Assistant between the old and new Mini.

I would hope the GPU, HD, sound etc. Would work fine. However if it doesn't matter whether it's a 32-bit or 64- bit version as far as gaming goes maybe I should cancel the order and get the 32-bit version. Everything else I do will be on the Mac OS side.

Is there any significant advantage of the 64-bit version over the 32-bit version ?

 

[Vermifuge]

HID ?

I'm not bothered if the Track Pad or Magic Mouse doesn't work. I would like the Apple wireless keyboard to work although I do have a brand new wired Logitech keyboard which I had to buy to use with Migration Assistant between the old and new Mini.

I would hope the GPU, HD, sound etc. Would work fine. However if it doesn't matter whether it's a 32-bit or 64- bit version as far as gaming goes maybe I should cancel the order and get the 32-bit version. Everything else I do will be on the Mac OS side.

Is there any significant advantage of the 64-bit version over the 32-bit version ?

Memory Handling. I don't think you can use more than 3 GB with 32 bit.

HID = Human Interface Device. E.G. A Mouse

My Apple wireless keyboard works fine

 

[Rondofan9]

Why wouldn't you build a better, more powerful, built in bluray, larger hard drive system?

USB 3.0 5GB (5,000mb) a second.
USB 2.0 .8GB (800mb) a second.

This means, you could build a usb3.0 windows machine and store all youre movies and music on a 3TB (or more, or less) hard drive, and still be able to access them quick as hell.

You'd be able to put in a way better graphics card, core i7, and better sound card, and have a tower with a volume control, track changer, remote, etc that blends in with your other home theater stuff. You can't be intelegent enough to have a good home theater worthy of a HTPC then use a mac mini with win7 as your HTPC that's a contradiction. Either use the mac mini with OSX lion or snow leapord. Or build a kickass windows machine. Personally, I dont like windows very much, but if I were to build a HTPC I'd probably build a windows machine.

 

[MrWillie]

Why wouldn't you build a better, more powerful, built in bluray, larger hard drive system?

USB 3.0 5GB (5,000mb) a second.
USB 2.0 .8GB (800mb) a second.

This means, you could build a usb3.0 windows machine and store all youre movies and music on a 3TB (or more, or less) hard drive, and still be able to access them quick as hell.

You'd be able to put in a way better graphics card, core i7, and better sound card, and have a tower with a volume control, track changer, remote, etc that blends in with your other home theater stuff. You can't be intelegent enough to have a good home theater worthy of a HTPC then use a mac mini with win7 as your HTPC that's a contradiction. Either use the mac mini with OSX lion or snow leapord. Or build a kickass windows machine. Personally, I dont like windows very much, but if I were to build a HTPC I'd probably build a windows machine.

USB 2.0 is plenty fast enough to stream video, but USB is so 1990s. NAS baby. BluRay ? Dedicated bluRay player or LG NAS with BluRay. I don't understand the HTPC craze. DLNA router, DLNA NAS device, DLNA surround sound receiver is the only way to go.

 

[pcuz]

Just wondered what experiances people are having running Windows 7 on the new Mac Mini as a HTPC?

 

[ess5]

Just wondered what experiances people are having running Windows 7 on the new Mac Mini as a HTPC?

Just got it up and running yesterday, actually =)
(DC i7 mini w/ discrete card)

I'm digging it so far, although I'm having a few (novice) issues with filesharing. The machine itself is performing nicely, and after being underwhelmed with Steam on the Mac, it's nice to have access to my *entire* steam library on the main display (it's hooked up to a 60" 1080p display).

I wanted the option to play low-to-mid-level games (Steam and otherwise) on the main media center, and it's pretty much up and running. SC2 and WoW both seem fine, haven't really had a chance to check out much more than that so far.

Media server-wise, both iTunes and WMP12 are (basically) up and running...I'll hold off on Plex or XBMC until I get my filesharing issues worked out.

All-in-all, I've got what I wanted: A dual-boot machine attached to the main TV, acting as both a media library/server and a mid-level third gaming console (since the Wii has been mothballed).

Yes, I could have rolled my own separate windows machine (or settled for Zino HD specs), but aesthetics/power-consumption were important to me (finally ditching my power-hungry closet media pc), and I had cash set aside for the hardware refresh. Also, I really do like the option of booting into Lion to fiddle around with dev tools and the like.

side-note: I picked up the new MBA as well, and the stock 5400rpm drive in the mini feels VERY sluggish in comparison...spoiled, I guess. I'll be swapping that baby out for an SSD shortly, it's been buggin' the crap outta me.

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Memory Handling. I don't think you can use more than 3 GB with 32 bit.

HID = Human Interface Device. E.G. A Mouse

My Apple wireless keyboard works fine

+1 64bit vs. 32bit, I threw in two 4gb sticks so Win7 64bit was pretty much necessary.

Also, +1 apple bluetooth keyboard...works perfectly fine (just need to remember the mapping changes, ie. "where the eff is the Alt key? and why doesn't "delete" delete?")

 

[pcuz]

Have you tried running Windows Media Center with your setup? I was thinking of using one of the new Ceton USB Cablecard adapters.

Also what about playing things like 1080P video, does it handle that well?

Just got it up and running yesterday, actually =)
(DC i7 mini w/ discrete card)

I'm digging it so far, although I'm having a few (novice) issues with filesharing. The machine itself is performing nicely, and after being underwhelmed with Steam on the Mac, it's nice to have access to my *entire* steam library on the main display (it's hooked up to a 60" 1080p display).

I wanted the option to play low-to-mid-level games (Steam and otherwise) on the main media center, and it's pretty much up and running. SC2 and WoW both seem fine, haven't really had a chance to check out much more than that so far.

Media server-wise, both iTunes and WMP12 are (basically) up and running...I'll hold off on Plex or XBMC until I get my filesharing issues worked out.

All-in-all, I've got what I wanted: A dual-boot machine attached to the main TV, acting as both a media library/server and a mid-level third gaming console (since the Wii has been mothballed).

Yes, I could have rolled my own separate windows machine (or settled for Zino HD specs), but aesthetics/power-consumption were important to me (finally ditching my power-hungry closet media pc), and I had cash set aside for the hardware refresh. Also, I really do like the option of booting into Lion to fiddle around with dev tools and the like.

side-note: I picked up the new MBA as well, and the stock 5400rpm drive in the mini feels VERY sluggish in comparison...spoiled, I guess. I'll be swapping that baby out for an SSD shortly, it's been buggin' the crap outta me.

----------



+1 64bit vs. 32bit, I threw in two 4gb sticks so Win7 64bit was pretty much necessary.

Also, +1 apple bluetooth keyboard...works perfectly fine (just need to remember the mapping changes, ie. "where the eff is the Alt key? and why doesn't "delete" delete?")