windows 10 in MacBook Pro 2012 model

By RJ, 26 May, 2017

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hello all,
I'm planning to purchase a 2012 model MacBook pro. I need to use windows 10 in that device for my certain projects. do you recommend this 2012 model for me? . does it have any problems or compatibility issues with windows 10 and bootcamp.
Kindly put some suggestions...

Thanks

Options

Comments

By Brian Giles on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

Why a 2012 MacBook Pro? I assume that you, as I did when I bought mine, are after the DVD drive and the extra space because of the regular spinning hard drive. I don't have windows on mine, but I don't think there would be a problem as far as performance goes.

By Brandt on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

Hi,

I would definitely recommend you get the 2012 MB Pro, but with a twist.

Firstly, get the cheapest version of this machine you can, the 4 gig ram I5, I can't remember the model off the top of my head. Then go get yourself 2x8 GB 1600mhz laptop ram, the brand I would recommend is Crucial. Also replace the 5400 RPM hard drive with an SSD, size is up to you.

By david s on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

HEllo,

The 2012 MBP is a very capable laptop. If you shop around, you can find one with an i7 for almost the same price as an i5. Both being dual core. The i7 models comes stock with 8GB of RAM and a 750GB hdd.

The upgrades you should do after the purchase is a SSD. I like the ones from OWC and if you purchase the kit, it comes with tools and an expternal enclosre so you can use the drive you removed as an external drive. The next upgrade should then be adding more RAM.

Windows runs fine on the MBP whether you use boot camp or fusion.

HTH and good luck.

By Justin on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

Hi,
Here's my thought.. Personally, I haven't even thought of windows in almost 7 years. However for you, I'd say get a good windows machine. Personally, you can get a very good windows machine for the price of a 2012/newer MBP. I just bought the new MBP with touch bar and don't regret it one bit! Sure, you can boot it with BootCamp or use VM fusion, but in my opinion, the mac does everything that I can do with windows.

By Maldalain on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

I have the Pro 2012 with boot camp. I bought it in 2014 and it had at that time 4GB of ram and 500GB of hDD. I upgraded the RAM to 8GB and replaced the spinning mechanic hard drive with SSD from Samsung. That made a huge difference in performance, battery life and also heat and noise.
However, I have also the Mac Air 2015, as you know processors are different and the CPU gen on the 2015 Air is better in terms of power usage, heat and of course the use of PCIe SSD. I tried boot camp on both machines, on the Pro 2012 it heats up, the battery does not go for more than 3 to 4 hours and the heat is just sizzling with boot camp. It is not an issue with my Pro 2012, neither with the battery. It is simply because of the Intel chip installed on it. It is a mobile chip, not as that on the U chip on the Air. Now my recommendation is to get the Air 2015 or maybe to wait for next generation Airs as they use ultra low voltage. The difference in performance is not really noticeable as CPU on the Air and the super speed PCIe SSD does not allow really big benchmarking figurrs to come up and decide on specific model purchase. Get the Air 13, it is great and if you need a DVD burner/reader, you can get one for something less than £20.
Thanks.

By Justin on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

Hi,
I heard that the MacBook air is dead, gone. Anyway, i've found that the new MBPs, 2016 15 inch toucher unit definitely run very cool compared to the 2012 machine. I still have a 2012 machine, however am planning to remove the parts and not sell it. Anyway, if you can afford to get it, the new MacBook pros are a great option, and should, I say should, as I don't use windows. Haven't looked back in almost 7 years now. But for your needs they should run it fine. If you get the new machine, which I'd strongly recommend by the way, you'll have to purchase some USBC to USB tape A adapters.

By Brandt on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

Hi there,

I tried Windows 10 on a 15 in. MB Pro with touchBar, and let me say, bad, bad, idea! No alt f4, shift f10 or esc key. Don't, just don't.

By Tree on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

I would not buy a mac unless you need or want Mac OS for a specific reason. I have the non touch bar 2016 mac book pro and I have not booted out of windows in months. If I could go back in time I would have saved a lot of money and got a windows machine, because I no longer need mac OS.

Also, if you plan to spend any time in windows at all you should steer clear of the touch bar. A lot of windows use cases for screen readers use the function keys, and it would be a pain to remap around this. It might be possible, I for one have my machine set up so that I never have to hit alt f for, but your better off keeping function keys.

If you do get a mac book make sure you get an ssd. I think that is the one upgrade that might be mandatory. I had a 2011 mac book pro and the thing was as worthless as a paper wait by the time I got rid of it, however, I think I just had a lemon. I went through two track pads, one screen, and a hard drive; the thing was trouble from the start.

Good luck,

By Chris Bruinenberg on Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 23:47

Hi all.
So not sure on the MacBook Pro but I was able to install windows 10 with speech on my MacBook Air.
I have to use a lot of google products for my job so windows was a necessity.
Mac and Google sheets don't work well together.
The one suggestion I have is, plug a pair of headphones in, then you will have speech for the windows installation, just remember you need the creators update for windows 10.
Good luck and have an awesome day!