Parallels/Boot Camp & XP Professional x64

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actionjaxonactionjaxon
Posted:
in Mac Software edited January 2014
I've a brand new MacBook Pro on it's way (specs within signature) and I'm planning on using both Boot Camp & Parallels as a means of running Windows apps, and so I was planning to use Windows XP Professional, which I know will work fine, but what if I went and used Windows XP Profession x64 Edition? What I need to know is...



* If I can use it, what are the benefits of it? Especially in this setup?



* What are the drawbacks



* Is x64 Edition backwards-compatible with regular 32-bit software?



* What common compatibility issues am I likely to encounter?



Any advise appreciated, cheers

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 3
    theapplegeniustheapplegenius Posts: 584member
    It will be slower. Stick with x86 for now. I could tell you why but I'm busy. Maybe later.
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  • Reply 2 of 3
    gwoodpeckergwoodpecker Posts: 367member
    My brother runs XP 64bit edition (on a regular PC, though) and he ran into many, many driver related issues. For lots of peripherals, drivers are STILL not available. And also a lot of "normal" software simply des not work in the 64bit edition.



    Apple says for BootCamp: "You’ll need XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 2, WIndows Vista Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, or Ultimate. (No upgrade or multi-disc versions)." A few months ago, this meant 32bit versions only, maybe it will also work with the 64bit version in the latest BootCamp version, but I'm not 100% sure.



    My advice: stay with XP Pro 32bit, it works very stable under both BootCamp as well as Parallels, almost no problems driver-wise, and the applications work well, too.
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  • Reply 3 of 3
    actionjaxonactionjaxon Posts: 58member
    Cheers guys, that's all I needed to know x86 it is!
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