I'd like to install Windows on my early 2011 MBP via Bootcamp so I can run a highly critical piece of software (Guild Wars 2).
The system reqs. are XP or better.
Which version of Windows?
On searching Amazon, I found that there are several versions of Windows for sale.
There's Windows 7 Home Premium. That sounds about right I guess. But does the "Premium" tag mean there's also a cheaper "non-premium" version available? If so, should I get that instead?
I understand that the current version is Windows 8. But my sense is that with Windows, one doesn't always want to run the current version.
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Which release version (XP, Vista, 7, or 8) and feature version (Home, Premium, whatever) is least likely to make me miserable?
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Should I install the 32 or 64-bit version? (64-bit, I guess, right?)
Best Answer
Looking at the Bootcamp 5 FAQ - you want a 64 bit version of Windows 7 or 8.
Furthermore, you'll want to get your specific model of MacBook Pro and check this table for the exact version you want before shopping:
As for major version, I know many businesses that stuck with Windows 7 so unless you need Windows 8 - I'd vote with my wallet on the cheapest non-XP version you can get. From your question, the home version is perfect for gaming and you won't really need advanced pro/premium features based on the requirements (actually lack thereof) that you listed. A benefit of going to Windows 8 now is that presumably you'll have longer to run with it before needing to upgrade to a future OS. Mark also makes a good point that Windows 8 is marketed primarily to consumers as an upgrade version, so be sure you understand your return options when buying and check into a Windows 8 system builder / OEM version if you decide to go with 8.