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New Computer Software
This thread has 15 replies. Displaying all posts.
Post 1 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 17:51
tca
Advanced Member
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845
My MacBook pro is almost 10 years old and it's time for a new computer. I'm getting a new MacBook pro and I'll run windows 10 on virtual box. Where is the best place to get windows, office, visio, etc. I haven't done this in 10 years!
Post 2 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 18:06
fcwilt
Senior Member
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Hi,

Just curious but if you are going to run Windows why get a Mac?

Frederick
Regards, Frederick C. Wilt
Post 3 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 19:15
davidcasemore
Super Member
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On July 25, 2018 at 18:06, fcwilt said...
Hi,

Just curious but if you are going to run Windows why get a Mac?

Frederick

The clue is in his statement: "...is almost ten years old."
Fins: Still Slamming' His Trunk on pilgrim's Small Weenie - One Trunk at a Time!
Post 4 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 20:31
weddellkw
Long Time Member
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January 2013
186
I bought a MBP last summer. Best Windows (parallells) laptop I've ever had.
Favorite feature is keeping my email, primary browser, chat apps etc on the macOS side and programming (crestron) tools in Windows-land.

Very tempted by the new config's (32gb ram and extra cores would be great), but holding out another refresh cycle probably.

I purchased a Windows key from Microsoft.com (newegg, amazon, etc are other options.). You can download and install Win10 w/out a key, it will just annoy you w/ popups and limit your customization options till you get right with Microsoft.

Office365 gets you word, outlook, excel etc. I think there's a separate purchase/subscription for Visio.


Also, I really like Ninite, it lets you choose from a ton of common tools for a fresh Windows install. Blocks any shady toolbar/add-on installs, ensures you get up-to-date versions from official sites, etc. Highly recommend:
https://ninite.com/
Post 5 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 20:58
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
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February 2004
2,586
I would be very careful about buying the $7K Mac Book Pro with the i9 processor. It is all over the news how screwed up it was with thermal throttling, not long after it even boots up. Major issue.
They released a firmware? fix for it this week, which helps a lot. But those who have taken the MBP apart and looked into it, say the design is crap and has serious problems.
I have been reading some of the test reports, sites have done today after the firmware fix. It has improved a lot but most say it is not where it should be. Many suspect the bad designing of the thermal management system is to blame. In which case there will never be a fix and you are paying a huge amount of money for the i9, for just a slight improvement in performance - because it can not reach its full potential in this build.

I don't think anyone here would be looking at a $7K MBP to just program with however. But... who knows.
Post 6 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 21:19
weddellkw
Long Time Member
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186
On July 25, 2018 at 20:58, Brad Humphrey said...
I would be very careful about buying the $7K Mac Book Pro with the i9 processor. It is all over the news how screwed up it was with thermal throttling, not long after it even boots up. Major issue.
They released a firmware? fix for it this week, which helps a lot. But those who have taken the MBP apart and looked into it, say the design is crap and has serious problems.
I have been reading some of the test reports, sites have done today after the firmware fix. It has improved a lot but most say it is not where it should be. Many suspect the bad designing of the thermal management system is to blame. In which case there will never be a fix and you are paying a huge amount of money for the i9, for just a slight improvement in performance - because it can not reach its full potential in this build.

I don't think anyone here would be looking at a $7K MBP to just program with however. But... who knows.

The thermal issues are a big reason I'm definitely going to hold off right now. Also, the $7K config includes $3200 for the 4TB SSD. Its still a crazy-expensive laptop but more in the $3500 range. (then you just need to get the friends and family discount)
Post 7 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 21:42
Malcolm013
Long Time Member
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November 2004
461
I've run Windows 10 on my Boot Camp Mac for a couple years now and haven't had any issues. I did have issues running parallels and having to deal with USB drivers issues when trying to program certain universal remote control and phone systems but other than that the operation has been flawless. Still can't program phone systems on Boot Camp so I purchased an inexpensive PC for that.
"Was it for this my life I sought? Maybe so, Maybe not...
Post 8 made on Wednesday July 25, 2018 at 22:25
imt
Long Time Member
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June 2007
466
On July 25, 2018 at 21:19, weddellkw said...
The thermal issues are a big reason I'm definitely going to hold off right now. Also, the $7K config includes $3200 for the 4TB SSD. Its still a crazy-expensive laptop but more in the $3500 range. (then you just need to get the friends and family discount)

All fixed
Post 9 made on Thursday July 26, 2018 at 00:22
fcwilt
Senior Member
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On July 25, 2018 at 19:15, davidcasemore said...
The clue is in his statement: "...is almost ten years old."

What has the age of his old computer got to do with it?

He said he was getting a new computer and was going to run Windows (virtually of course).

Just curious as to why.

Frederick
Regards, Frederick C. Wilt
Post 10 made on Friday July 27, 2018 at 09:01
Impaqt
RC Moderator
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October 2002
6,229
On July 26, 2018 at 00:22, fcwilt said...
What has the age of his old computer got to do with it?

He said he was getting a new computer and was going to run Windows (virtually of course).

Just curious as to why.

Frederick

I've never had a Windows based PC make it much more than 2 1/2 to 3 years.
My 17" i7 Macbook Pro is coming up on 7 years and my 13" i5 is almost 4.

I do a lot of mac based and PC based programming so having both OS's is critical for me. Even though my OS's are for all practical purposes seamless, I find OSX daily usage much smoother and easier to use. (Browser, email, network tools, etc)
Post 11 made on Friday July 27, 2018 at 09:19
Stryker
Long Time Member
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November 2010
402
I dual book my 2015 Macbook Pro, last year with good port options for me. Windows works great on it and its a good machine, But I only really use it for Blueprint now that I Have a Lenovo X1 Carbon gen6, Best laptop ive ever had
(My last Lenovo W520 is still running strong after 6 years)

I still use the Microsoft Action Pack wich gives me multiple licenses for a yearly fee of all of the Microsoft software products
"If they give you ruled paper, write the other way"
Post 12 made on Friday July 27, 2018 at 14:23
Brad Humphrey
Super Member
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On July 27, 2018 at 09:01, Impaqt said...
I've never had a Windows based PC make it much more than 2 1/2 to 3 years.

User error? Maybe select better brands/components?

I run my Windows laptops for about 5-6 years before upgrading to a new one. They still work perfectly fine at 5-6 years but start to get a little slow. MIL is still using an old one I gave her (9 years old now) and works fine for emails, web browsing, etc..

I built my own desktop 15 years ago:
Still using the same case.
Changed the power supply once.
Fixing to upgrade the MB, processor, RAM, and video card for only the 3rd time.
Fixing to upgrade to Win10 Pro. On Win7 Pro now. Started with WinXP Pro.
This desktop is my main machine for everything - gaming, video/photo editing, work, play, etc... It has always run very smooth and very fast.
Post 13 made on Friday July 27, 2018 at 15:18
Impaqt
RC Moderator
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On July 27, 2018 at 14:23, Brad Humphrey said...
User error? Maybe select better brands/components?

I run my Windows laptops for about 5-6 years before upgrading to a new one. They still work perfectly fine at 5-6 years but start to get a little slow. MIL is still using an old one I gave her (9 years old now) and works fine for emails, web browsing, etc..

I suspect we use out laptops very differently. or have different standards for "works fine"
I've got over 5k in my 2 Macbooks.... I spent over 2k on a "Quality" PC laptops in the past and they still didnt make it as long as the Macs so I generally spend 1200-1500 on my PC Laptops nowadays because they seem to last the same.


I built my own desktop 15 years ago:
Still using the same case.

great... I still use a Lian Li case I bought around 2003 i'd guess as well. My Enermax Power Supply has got to be at least 10....

Changed the power supply once.
Fixing to upgrade the MB, processor, RAM, and video card for only the 3rd time.

Isnt that basically the same thing as buying a new Computer? (Yes, it is)
Fixing to upgrade to Win10 Pro. On Win7 Pro now. Started with WinXP Pro.
This desktop is my main machine for everything - gaming, video/photo editing, work, play, etc... It has always run very smooth and very fast.

My desktop at home gets updated much less than my laptops. well My Windows laptops anyway....


Just for fun, this is my 17" Pro right now. Early 2011... Running OSX Sierra (Could easily run High Sierra, but I need to stay at Sierra for Savant compatibility) I'm currently running Both OSX 10.7.5 and Windows 10 Virtually

[Link: ibb.co]
Post 14 made on Friday July 27, 2018 at 16:07
Mac Burks (39)
Elite Member
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May 2007
17,515
27" cinema display died at home so i got a Dell XPS 27 all in one. I got tired of bringing my laptop into the office at work or home and docking it. Now i can just leave my work laptop at work or in my car and still have a computer to use at home.

Retails for $3000. I got one at the dell outlet (open box refurb) for $1500 (includes tax and shipping). 1TB SSD/32GB ram/4K Touch/Decent onboard speakers. Ignore the "fantastic sound" reviews because it isnt that fantastic. Just better than typical all in ones.

[Link: dell.com]




They have 4 more at this price; [Link: outlet.us.dell.com]
Avid Stamp Collector - I really love 39 Cent Stamps
Post 15 made on Saturday July 28, 2018 at 03:08
fcwilt
Senior Member
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1,283
On July 27, 2018 at 09:01, Impaqt said...
I've never had a Windows based PC make it much more than 2 1/2 to 3 years.
My 17" i7 Macbook Pro is coming up on 7 years and my 13" i5 is almost 4.

I do a lot of mac based and PC based programming so having both OS's is critical for me. Even though my OS's are for all practical purposes seamless, I find OSX daily usage much smoother and easier to use. (Browser, email, network tools, etc)

I'm not a big fan of laptops but sometimes you need one. The two I have both are running XP. That would suggest they are pre-2009 models I would think.

When folks need both OS's is it always Windows on a Mac and never the other way around?

Thanks.

Frederick
Regards, Frederick C. Wilt
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