Besides wanting a new laptop, two of my biggest motivations for upgrading from my MacBook Pro 2008 were to replace my desktop PC and be able to run modern virtualization software such as docker. The is important because I do a lot of cross development as part of my hobby electronics.
The PC only had a single principal use -- run my TACX bike trainer virtual reality software (utilizes a USB connection) and Zwift (USB ANT). My plan was to get VMware fusion and run windows 10. I did not want to utilize bootcamp since there are a couple of apps only available on windows (expresspcb) that I utilize and it would be inconvenient to switch back and forth. After spending sometime preparing my workspace for the LG 5K monitor, collecting additional peripherals (temporarily utilizing my Dell monitor from the PC), installing and configuring software, and so forth -- I was ready to validate the scenario. I ran the TACX software on the MAC display (in the VM) and Zwift (native MAC) on the Dell display. It was awesome and worked great with no glitches. Airplay worked too! Its gonna be awesome with the 5K display!
The second use case is related to doing cross development away from the AC adapter. This requires running docker for MAC, eclipse, automator, numerous terminals, and safari. The application is using an embedded web server with an update rate of 1s. Also, I am maintaining an SSH connection to the embedded device. While doing this, I am also constantly researching on the web and reading email. I pulled the AC plug, so to speak, at 6pm yesterday and worked until about 1:00am. I picked it up again at 8:30 this morning, and am typing this on the same battery charge around 10:30am. I still have 11%.
I am running the latest official software (no betas). The system runs quiet and cool for all of the activities so far. Its almost creepy. Especially coming from the 2008 MAC, which had roaring fans. The contrast was quite evident when I was copying files over the network from it to the new MAC.
If it wasn't for "IT" complications at the office, I would be using the MAC for my professional embedded software development and systems engineering. After being on my 3rd Dell machine in 6 months, I regret not dealing with the complications.
The PC only had a single principal use -- run my TACX bike trainer virtual reality software (utilizes a USB connection) and Zwift (USB ANT). My plan was to get VMware fusion and run windows 10. I did not want to utilize bootcamp since there are a couple of apps only available on windows (expresspcb) that I utilize and it would be inconvenient to switch back and forth. After spending sometime preparing my workspace for the LG 5K monitor, collecting additional peripherals (temporarily utilizing my Dell monitor from the PC), installing and configuring software, and so forth -- I was ready to validate the scenario. I ran the TACX software on the MAC display (in the VM) and Zwift (native MAC) on the Dell display. It was awesome and worked great with no glitches. Airplay worked too! Its gonna be awesome with the 5K display!
The second use case is related to doing cross development away from the AC adapter. This requires running docker for MAC, eclipse, automator, numerous terminals, and safari. The application is using an embedded web server with an update rate of 1s. Also, I am maintaining an SSH connection to the embedded device. While doing this, I am also constantly researching on the web and reading email. I pulled the AC plug, so to speak, at 6pm yesterday and worked until about 1:00am. I picked it up again at 8:30 this morning, and am typing this on the same battery charge around 10:30am. I still have 11%.
I am running the latest official software (no betas). The system runs quiet and cool for all of the activities so far. Its almost creepy. Especially coming from the 2008 MAC, which had roaring fans. The contrast was quite evident when I was copying files over the network from it to the new MAC.
If it wasn't for "IT" complications at the office, I would be using the MAC for my professional embedded software development and systems engineering. After being on my 3rd Dell machine in 6 months, I regret not dealing with the complications.
