Apple Updates 'Requirements' for Windows 7 on MacBooks

A document listing the requirements for having Microsoft’s Windows 7 installed on a portable Mac has been updated over at Apple’s Support section, with the Mac maker listing the necessary software and hardware elements to have the OS up and running on new generation MacBook Air and MacBook Pro computers.

Targeting MacBook Air (Late 2010) and MacBook Pro (Early 2011) systems, the document was updated on February 25 to outline that said computers support 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Professional, or Windows 7 Ultimate.

Apple notes that Windows XP and Windows Vista drivers are not supplied for these computers and are not supported.

Specifically, the documentation lists Windows 7 installation requirements for MacBook Air (Late 2010), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011), MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011), Apple says.

As expected, MacBook Air users still need an external optical drive to get Windows 7 on their laptops’ SSD mediums, whereas MacBook Pro users can skip this step to proceed with inserting a storage device (compact disk or flash drive) which contains the Windows drivers created by the Boot Camp Assistant.

“To use Boot Camp with with Windows 7, you need the following,” Apple says.

· An optical drive (MacBook Air computers require an external optical disc drive to install Windows 7).
· A blank CD or USB storage device to contain the Windows Drivers created by the Boot Camp Assistant.
· For 32-bit versions of Windows, at least 16 GB of free space.
· For 64-bit versions of Windows, at least 20 GB of free space.
· Boot Camp Assistant, which is pre-installed in /Applications/Utilities/ .
· An authentic, 32-bit or 64-bit Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, Professional, or Ultimate disc.

Before proceeding with the installation, users must be sure to install all required firmware updates for their computer, the tech giant adds.

Users should also be aware that Windows 7 drivers are downloaded as part of the Boot Camp Assistant application, according to Support document HT4410. A technical document explaining how these drivers need to be installed is also available.

Finally, Apple provides an important note for those who may run into trouble installing Microsoft’s operating system on their notebooks, saying “Apple does not provide technical support via phone for installing, using, or recovering Microsoft Windows.”

“Support is available for using Boot Camp Setup Assistant, as well as installing or restoring Boot Camp software while booted into Windows. Support articles and discussions may also be available on Apple's support website,” the company adds.