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General discussion

Windows 7 questionable performance on my Mac?

Nov 30, 2009 11:03PM PST

Don't worry, this is not another Mac vs PC argument. Rather, I had some concerns.

I've successfully installed Windows 7, via BootCamp 3.0, on my 2007 Macbook Pro Santa Rosa. It was a breeze as I have Snow Leopard and used the latest 3.0 BootCamp drivers. But many users have reported increased heat and decreased battery life. This is true for myself as well.

Now, when I load RMClock, WITHOUT any modifications, and look at the monitor, it shows CPU load at approximately 60%, even when my task manager shows 0%. This could be an error on the program's part, or something else.

I kinda wonder if the heat issues have something to do with the mismanagement of the Mac's power features in Windows 7, if that's even an issue. It's the only explanation I can come up with for the increased heat, decreased battery life, and the RMClock 60% CPU load.

Now, knowing this, it would be great if someone could review a similarly configured PC with Windows 7 installed and see how it fares against a BootCamp Mac with Windows 7. The results could tell me if the above issue has an adverse effect on performance. Is someone willing to do this? Perhaps CNET's next review?

Discussion is locked

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Give it some time.
Nov 30, 2009 11:42PM PST

I noticed this on the fresh install and after 7 had a few weeks to do all its indexing and such it got better. What I notice is that many do these observations on the fresh install.

Too bad MSFT didn't foresee this and have some off switch marked "I'm going to test the OS for this issue so stop indexing and such."
Bob

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Still would like a head to head
Dec 4, 2009 4:12AM PST

I see. So it's an indexing issue Sad . Still, I would like to see a REAL Comparison between a Macbook Pro Boot Camp and a similarly configured PC . Not only for my sake, but also it hasn't been done yet as everyone just compares Snow Leopard Vs Windows 7 on the same machine.

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That would be a challenge.
Dec 4, 2009 4:41AM PST

There are long discussions about how to do a benchmark. I'll skip all that and just say "it's a problem" that you'll have to decide which one you'll use.

Then we have the age old issue of whether we strip it down to the OS for then benchmark or do we take it in the configuration handed to us?

Bob

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A benchmark...duhh
Dec 5, 2009 4:52PM PST

Of course, a benchmark. This didn't even cross my mind. I was so fixated on doing a comparison between a Mac and similarly configured PC that I forgot that I could simply do a benchmark between Windows 7 and and older OS on the same system.

Ah, the simple things...glad I asked, thanks. If I get a chance, I'll post the results here.