Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Unfortunately, you can't use MacBook Air's Remote Disc feature to install Windows using a DVD on a network com-
puter. Bummer.
Intel-based Mac.
Boot Camp isn't fussy about what Mac it gets installed on, except that it insists the Mac
have an Intel processor. That makes sense because Windows is an Intel operating system, which means it works
only with Intel processors. Because Boot Camp gives Windows direct access to the Mac's processor, that pro-
cessor needs to be of the Intel variety. You're safe here, because all MacBook Airs have Intel inside.
Internal hard drive with enough free space.
Boot Camp will install Windows only to an internal hard
drive. If you've connected an external USB or FireWire hard drive to your MacBook Air, you can't use it for
the Windows partition. Also, your MacBook Air needs to have enough room on its hard drive to create a parti-
tion big enough to hold Windows and whatever Windows applications you plan on using. At a bare minimum,
your MacBook Air's hard drive needs about 16GB free to install a 32-bit version of Windows 7 (or 8), and
about 20GB free to install a 64-bit version of Windows 7 (or 8). I show you how to check hard drive free space
and decide on a partition size later in this appendix.
For some strange reason, Boot Camp refuses to install if your MacBook Air hard drive already has two or more parti-
tions. If you have multiple partitions, you'll need to delete the secondary partitions (that is, everything but the main
Macintosh HD partition). You can use Disk Utility for this, but Disk Utility trashes all data on the partition, so first
save any data you want to keep. Otherwise, use a partitioning tool such as iPartition (see
www.coriolis-systems.com
)
to do this.
Wired mouse and keyboard.
To work with the Windows installation program, you need a mouse to click
stuff and a keyboard to type stuff. Unfortunately, the Windows installer (like the OS X installer) has no way of
recognizing wireless mice and keyboards, particularly Bluetooth devices. Because you're installing Windows
on a MacBook Air, the built-in trackpad and keyboard do just fine.
Getting MacBook Air Ready for Boot Camp
If your MacBook Air meets all the requirements spelled out in the previous section, you're pretty much good to
go. However, I suggest you first pay a visit to the Look Before You Leap department, because there are a few
things you should do to make sure your MacBook Air is ready, willing, and able to install Windows.
Check your free hard drive space
