64 bits Vista working on Boot Camp?

[Michiel]

Hi,

My father will get his Leopard in a few days, and I am wondering if it is possible to install Windows Vista 64 bits Home Premium, using Boot Camp. The official Macintosh site says that it isn't possible to install a 64-bits version of Windows with Boot Camp, but I read on another forum this isn't true (for a Mac Book Pro atleast). I want to verifiy this. Do you guys now if it is possible to run Vista 64 bits on a new iMac?

[zarmanto]

From what I understand, 64-bit Vista should technically work on an IntelMac, but you won't be able to find much in the way of driver support, and what you do find would be from either Microsoft or some third-party developer: Apple hasn't actually produced any 64-bit drivers for their hardware.

[Michiel]

Hm okay, thanks for your answer. Is this a big problem? Am I loosing much of my performance due to the drivers?

[zarmanto]

At the very least, you won't be able to use the iSight camera, or any other Apple-unique hardware (as listed under "Drivers galore" on Apple's BootCamp page (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html)). In addition, you may find it difficult to get full functionality out of any of the devices listed on this page (http://wiki.onmac.net/index.php/Users/XOM/Drivers). As an example, that probably means that you wouldn't be able to play 3D games, because you won't have the correct video card specific drivers... only generic Microsoft drivers.

[eklynx]

i'm running 64bit vista ultimate on my mac pro. All around most things work. The most annoying thing that doesn't, keyboard drivers, so i have no eject button without InputRemapper. there were a couple other odds and ends that wont install on x64, so i suggest try it out, but be prepared to reformat and go back to 32 bit.

[djrobx]

Everything works great on my Mac Pro under Vista x64. I had to perform a bit of elbow grease to get the Wireless Mighty Mouse working completely with bluetooth (wrote a script to handle switching to full bluetooth mode - HID2HCI - after sleep and wake cycle). Input Remapper solves the keyboard issue.