10 replies to this topic

[INFNITE]

I posted this question on the dual boot thread (which was closed before the question was answered)

Lets say the new Intel PowerBooks are equipped with whatever video card and audio controller....will the driver available for Windows work with these components? Will there be compatible driver for wireless internet adapter built in? For example, assuming they use Radeon X700, can we just use the Windows driver and expect the graphics card to work perfectly (with full functionality) in Windows? Or are we stuck with no hardware video acceleration and no sound?

[bjr1028]

No.  OSX and Windows are completely different operating systems.  The move to intel doesn't change that.

[iDerf2006]

I disagree. I have a feeling that the graphics card, audio, everything required to run Windows at it's best way, will be compatible with the windows.  

Popey must die.

[guilliamo]

I think INFNITE's focus was on availability of drivers for a future Apple-branded PowerBook with an Intel processor when running Windows. The answer to that question is that no one really knows at this point, but:

1) Intel will reportedly make the motherboards...or at least the chipsets...for future Apple PowerBooks
2) Video cards (chips) will almost certainly be ATI or NVidia
3) Since Apple has already announced that they will not attempt to keep Intel Powerbooks from running Windows, there would be no advantage I can think of to Apple/Intel/ATI/NVidia using special/obscure/custom chips that will not be readily supported in Windows.
--> Perhaps most importantly, the ability to run MacOSX natively & WindowsXP natively (aka "dual boot") should be a major advertising plus for Apple, a capability that they should get for essentially free by way of their partnership with Intel.

G

Please don't call me a dummy;
I'm a proud Mannequin-American !

Edited by guilliamo, 05 January 2006 - 03:24 AM.

[JoeP]

i agree with guilliamo (for both the question's understanding, and the answer!)

it makes no doubt.

[niteice]

Apple is going to be using mostly (if not fully) standard hardware, so the Windows drivers for said hardware will work, but why run Windows on an Apple machine anyway?

[INFNITE]

niteice, on Jan 6 2006, 01:20 AM, said:

Apple is going to be using mostly (if not fully) standard hardware, so the Windows drivers for said hardware will work, but why run Windows on an Apple machine anyway?

that's good to hear.  That's really the advantage of MacTels...to be able to run OS X (the way it's supposed to be run) while allowing you to have Windows just incase you need it for whatever reason.  I wouldn't mind using a Mac for day to day use and Windows for gaming on the same system.

[INFNITE]

by the way, does anyone know if Apple will be supporting the full Centrino Duo (AKA Napa) platform?

http://www.intel.com...o/duo/index.htm

components of the platform include
Core Duo processor
Intel 945 Express Chipset
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network

Edited by INFNITE, 06 January 2006 - 10:00 PM.

[bjr1028]

We'll find out on Tuesday.  Apple is fanatical about secrecy, so we usually don't know what's comming until its announced.

Edited by bjr1028, 07 January 2006 - 05:30 PM.

[DR490N]

INFNITE, on Jan 5 2006, 08:30 PM, said:

I wouldn't mind using a Mac for day to day use and Windows for gaming on the same system.

Well, this is one way to get DirectX support on a Mac.... If you cant port the games to Mac, port the Mac to the games!

I cant wait to order a MacBook Pro

[cyrana]

The iMac has a broadcom wireless chipset.