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My experiences with Windows 7 Beta on MacBook Pro & Mac Mini

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Short story: Build 7000 works just fine. MBP better than MacMini

Today the Windows 7 Beta was made available/announced (you can view the CES webcast here), to select audiences. Even to Microsoft employees its been held back. This has created some anticipation and by the sounds of general Microsoft consensus it is a really good build.

It certainly is, I can confirm, on my MacBook Pro which for 3 years has been my best Vista machine. Lately after many changes (some I wish I hadn't done -like cleaning my registry) I was keen to blow the image away after a backup with SyncToy 2.0. So I started from scratch.

What you will need (for Mac install):

  • Access to Windows 7 Beta media (we used Image Burn and the ISO)
  • Product Key (MSDN or equiv)
  • A version of BootCamp (post beta 1.4) previously installed  on your intel Mac (to emulate BIOS on EFI)
  • BootCamp drivers CD (preferably 2.1) ready to hand

* I tried with just implementing the drivers to see if it was different from Vista. It was better but still needed Apple installation MSI  for keyboard etc

What I've liked so far from the Windows 7 so far:

  • Speed (it just seems nippier - maybe its the minimalist design?)
  • UI download notifications/updates/clicks flash on iconsimage
  • UI hover and click animation and concept
  • General transparency and effects are more refined
  • Printer install was seamless (device visibility really helps I feel)

image

  • Quick networking  - homegroups

image

  • WIM (actually this is in Vista but its just a greater backup experience)
  • Media when removed is more seamless
  • Automatic detection of device suitable for backup!
  • UAC by default is obvious but not overbearing
  • Media player playing album music is better visually (e.g. album art and transparent controls which makes for better viewing)
  • When a folder is deleted it signals to any explorer window that this no longer exists to update the UI
  • Shutdown is exceptionally speedy and makes sensible automatic closing decisions. (and a single shutdown button)
  • Suspend resume is FAST (2 seconds down 3 seconds up)
  • Wireless connectivity is even more intuitive (it does self repair)
  • Jump starts in the task menu

image

  • IE 8 - Great web slices , predictive texts, inline live search, accelerators

What's been buggy?

  • When installing some software the task bar disappears
  • I occasionally get some BCD errors on lid close suspend (might have been prior to 2.1 drivers)
  • Not buggy so much by my upgrade, from Vista on my Mac Mini (Media Center) appeared to freeze t last phase 57% (but after an hour appeared to complete normally)

What I will be feeding back for improvement:

  • Mobility is still a bit standalone with WMDCimage
  • Wireless signal strength icon + colour (small one)image
  • I don't like the windows Pearl when highlightedimage
  • Without Aero its significantly less impressive UX
  • Discovering my MBP with Bluetooth since updating to 2.1 drivers no longer makes a partnershipimage
  • And direct cable access didn't work either :(image
  • No Anti Virus via OneCare (yet)

Comments

  • Anonymous
    January 08, 2009
    Were you able to get the keyboard functioning properly? I am unable to get the special keys (sound volume, brightness, etc.) working on my 2006 MBP. I am using the BootCamp 2.01 drivers, which I installed individually since the BootCamp autorun installation failed to run. The Apple Keyboard is listed in the Devices and Printers window but is not listed in the Device Manager itself and I can see no way of changing it there. Any help you can provide would be appreciated. Everything else seems to work without issue.

  • Anonymous
    January 15, 2009
    Hi. I was yes, the MSI file sets up the apple keyboard special keys. From memory through the Bootcamp control panel you can change keyboard settings. When you said the autorun failed what actually happened? I did find in Vista/2.0 drivers that the keys would not work after suspend/resume. This doesnt appear to be the case in Win7. But then again I havent really spent much time testing. My MacMini is SLOW under Win7 Beta so working on this diagnostics at the moment

  • Anonymous
    June 05, 2010
    I have a macbook pro 2009, everything running great, I use the Apple drivers.