Anyone else abandoning ship?

[LiE_]

The thrill of the new? I hear you.
I 've gotta disagree about the aesthetics though - think it looks great! Of course there's nothing stopping you from putting some of that iMac money towards that ridiculously expensive LG 5k display for it...

Yea I'm very happy with how the build looks, I meant more macOS and the general look/feel of Apple software.

LG Ultrafine wouldn't connect to my GPU, but I am potentially changing that for a new RTX 2080 Super. The 27UK650 4k I have is a great monitor and scaled to look like 2440x1440 the assets/text are nice and crisp. I had a native 1440p monitor at the start of the year and the PPI so too low and everything just looked rubbish.

 

[Mendota]

Thought everyone might get a kick out of this one.

 

[grmlin]

I tried WSL 2 today with one of our projects on my PC home and I have to say, that is some serious progress MS made there.

- Installation takes like 2 commands in the powershell
- download Ubuntu from the store
- do what you want inside linux

I installed docker, too, and I can't really feel a difference to a natively running Linux. Yarn, webpack, all the things run just as fast as on my Mac.
The only thing that needs improvements is the network share they use to make the files inside the linux subsystem available for the windows host. Opening a project and indexing all the files for the first time really pushes the CPU. I don't know how they can work around that, as I don't know enough about this, but I'm sure they will.

I'm not really sure if this is enough for me to switch to windows, but it's much more tempting now. Docker running natively, and not inside the VM as in docker for windows/mac is a HUGE plus.

 

[pshufd]

I saw an interesting performance video last night on YouTube where the 2019 MBP was compared to a high-end desktop and several other mobile workstations - it was a rendering test which took four minutes on the desktop but the MBP came out on top against the other mobile workstations. The Lenovo P72 which I've been looking at came in last - though it was tested with a Xeon processor. I'd guess that Metal had a lot to do with it as those kinds of tests respond well to SIMD and GPU acceleration.

A longer test, though, might have shown different results. I would still prefer a 17.3 4K display, along with the ability to support a lot of RAM, preferably user-installable. But there is a lot to like about macOS. Unfortunately my main Windows program that runs under WINE on macOS is acting up again.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

I saw an interesting performance video last night on YouTube where the 2019 MBP was compared to a high-end desktop and several other mobile workstations - it was a rendering test which took four minutes on the desktop but the MBP came out on top against the other mobile workstations. The Lenovo P72 which I've been looking at came in last - though it was tested with a Xeon processor. I'd guess that Metal had a lot to do with it as those kinds of tests respond well to SIMD and GPU acceleration.

A longer test, though, might have shown different results. I would still prefer a 17.3 4K display, along with the ability to support a lot of RAM, preferably user-installable. But there is a lot to like about macOS. Unfortunately my main Windows program that runs under WINE on macOS is acting up again.

Why can't you use a VM for that kind of task? Wine apps usually get tons of compatibility issues which might be your case.

 

[pshufd]

Why can't you use a VM for that kind of task? Wine apps usually get tons of compatibility issues which might be your case.

I have two trading applications that use up a lot of memory. I did try using a VM but it put the system under memory pressure. 32 GB would solve the problem but, I'm more inclined to just get a Windows system unless Apple makes their laptops more consumer-friendly. The trading software has had a history of not working with some versions of macOS and some versions of Wine. It would probably be easier overall to run my trading on a Windows system as it seems that most trading software is geared to Windows. I would just run my Mac stuff on one of my Mac laptops.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

I have two trading applications that use up a lot of memory. I did try using a VM but it put the system under memory pressure. 32 GB would solve the problem but, I'm more inclined to just get a Windows system unless Apple makes their laptops more consumer-friendly. The trading software has had a history of not working with some versions of macOS and some versions of Wine. It would probably be easier overall to run my trading on a Windows system as it seems that most trading software is geared to Windows. I would just run my Mac stuff on one of my Mac laptops.

Well yeah for these kind of setups I usually recommend the MacBook Pro with 32GB... Give everything to the Parallels Windows Machine and leave 8GB for Mac OS.

 

[LeeW]

So starting today I am going Windows for 30 days. Just switched off my Mac Mini, everything is on the PC and I am using a Raspberry PI as a local web server mapped to folders in Windows so I have everything I need.

No big statement here, just going to see how I get on without macOS for a month. Maybe I won't last

On one hand, my previous set up was fine, macOS when I am developing, Windows for everything else. On the other hand, I am using Windows more and it's a pain to keep switching between two systems sometimes install or set something up twice.

Missing the magic mouse gestures already, but loving the Microsoft surface keyboard and the Windows version of Office.

Also recently bought 2 Dell 25 inch Ultrasharp monitors which seem to work far better with Windows.

Anyway, will update when I win or fail

 

[SnoFlo]

Hmm, I used Mac OS X for 13 years before switching back to Windows. It was like emerging from a padded cell into a garden playground paradise for me, lol.

Also, Windows has built-in pen support which is critical for the work I do. I have Catalina running in a VM for a few apps and to keep an eye on Mac OS development. Although the common coda in technology today, and championed by Apple, is to have multiple devices for specific roles (which makes Apple more money) I believe that restricting myself to one device that can do it all, and one that is upgradeable for many years, will help the planet more. Or at least damage it less.

 

[fate0311]

Got my P52 in the mail the other day. I’m officially off the nipple.

 

[Mendota]

So starting today I am going Windows for 30 days. Just switched off my Mac Mini, everything is on the PC and I am using a Raspberry PI as a local web server mapped to folders in Windows so I have everything I need.

No big statement here, just going to see how I get on without macOS for a month. Maybe I won't last

On one hand, my previous set up was fine, macOS when I am developing, Windows for everything else. On the other hand, I am using Windows more and it's a pain to keep switching between two systems sometimes install or set something up twice.

Missing the magic mouse gestures already, but loving the Microsoft surface keyboard and the Windows version of Office.

Also recently bought 2 Dell 25 inch Ultrasharp monitors which seem to work far better with Windows.

Anyway, will update when I win or fail

Good luck. Are you going to use the Window's Linux sub system?

 

[LeeW]

Good luck. Are you going to use the Window's Linux sub system?

Yes, I am testing it at the moment, have it set up as a web server. Was a bit nervous that it was not going to be that beneficial but it does seem really good. Ubuntu folders mapped to windows folder and so on make it easy for me to write code as normal and test without any issue.

Whilst macOS provides a really good integrated experience you can't beat working within the environment your code will eventually run on, a remote Linux server.

Although one of the things I used to code was Laravel Valet which was built originally using macOS, that has been ported to Windows and works incredibly well also.

Lots of options available for the only reason I really continued to use macOS.

 

[LiE_]

The thrill of the new? I hear you.
I 've gotta disagree about the aesthetics though - think it looks great! Of course there's nothing stopping you from putting some of that iMac money towards that ridiculously expensive LG 5k display for it...

In the end the PC went.

Just put in an order for this iMac. I have another 16GB RAM coming and a 1TB external SSD. Got AppleCare as well.

 

[Martyimac]

In the end the PC went.

Just put in an order for this iMac. I have another 16GB RAM coming and a 1TB external SSD. Got AppleCare as well.

As much as I dislike an AIO, I am giving this exact setup a hard look. Please tell us your impressions once it's up and running. OBTW, are you replacing an older Mac and if so, which one? Thanks

 

[LiE_]

As much as I dislike an AIO, I am giving this exact setup a hard look. Please tell us your impressions once it's up and running. OBTW, are you replacing an older Mac and if so, which one? Thanks

I'm moving from PC because I prefer macOS. The PC was no slouch with a 9700k and a RTX 2060. Just windows isn't for me. Also really wanted that 5K retina.

 

[ipponrg]

I think it’s kind of interesting that Microsoft has released a preview version of their terminal.

The more integrated they are with Unix, the better the outlook is looking.

 

[maflynn]

I think it’s kind of interesting that Microsoft has released a preview version of their terminal.

The more integrated they are with Unix, the better the outlook is looking.

Im looking forward to it but the release is a very raw not ready for prime time preview

 

[ipponrg]

Im looking forward to it but the release is a very raw not ready for prime time preview

Yeah definitely.

What I do like about Microsoft recently is they seem to want to listen to the community. One might argue it’s because they are now playing the good cop, but I guess we will see

 

[azpekt]

I tried WSL 2 today with one of our projects on my PC home and I have to say, that is some serious progress MS made there.

- Installation takes like 2 commands in the powershell
- download Ubuntu from the store
- do what you want inside linux

I installed docker, too, and I can't really feel a difference to a natively running Linux. Yarn, webpack, all the things run just as fast as on my Mac.
The only thing that needs improvements is the network share they use to make the files inside the linux subsystem available for the windows host. Opening a project and indexing all the files for the first time really pushes the CPU. I don't know how they can work around that, as I don't know enough about this, but I'm sure they will.

I'm not really sure if this is enough for me to switch to windows, but it's much more tempting now. Docker running natively, and not inside the VM as in docker for windows/mac is a HUGE plus.

Why not to switch to Linux alltogether? You get flexibility and bulletproof of UNIX (kinda) as with MacOS, and you don’t get to deal with Microsoft.

 

[MrGunnyPT]

In the end the PC went.

Just put in an order for this iMac. I have another 16GB RAM coming and a 1TB external SSD. Got AppleCare as well.

This is a beast of a config my friend!

 

[LiE_]

This is a beast of a config my friend!

Yea hopefully it should run like a dream especially when I drop in the RAM increasing it to 24GB and adding another 1TB SSD.

 

[badsimian]

I tried WSL 2 today with one of our projects on my PC home and I have to say, that is some serious progress MS made there.

- Installation takes like 2 commands in the powershell
- download Ubuntu from the store
- do what you want inside linux

I installed docker, too, and I can't really feel a difference to a natively running Linux. Yarn, webpack, all the things run just as fast as on my Mac.
The only thing that needs improvements is the network share they use to make the files inside the linux subsystem available for the windows host. Opening a project and indexing all the files for the first time really pushes the CPU. I don't know how they can work around that, as I don't know enough about this, but I'm sure they will.

I'm not really sure if this is enough for me to switch to windows, but it's much more tempting now. Docker running natively, and not inside the VM as in docker for windows/mac is a HUGE plus.

As an FYI, WSL 2 *is* running in a VM as it happens (not saying this is bad), slightly different to normal Hyper-V I think but still there. There was too much hassle getting stuff to be performant through the old translation layer they had.

 

[jwar1976]

I managed to bag myself a MSI GP62MVR specs :

i7-7700HQ
8GB Ram
128GB SSD+1TB HDD
GTX 1060
15"
W10

On eBay it was £900 for a i7-7300 version, but I paid £525 with 2yrs Warranty. I ended up paying £180 for my 2015 MBP to get repaired, so will keep that for occasional work. I would love for my MBP to be compatible with Sidecar in the coming months, but then knowing Apple, there would be greater chance of me winning the lottery.

 

[Robnsn2015]

Why not to switch to Linux alltogether? You get flexibility and bulletproof of UNIX (kinda) as with MacOS, and you don’t get to deal with Microsoft.

Maybe they need to connect easily to an Active Directory network at their office?

Maybe they use some apps that are Windows only?

 

[maflynn]

Maybe they use some apps that are Windows only?

Agreed
While there were many aspects of Linux that I really liked (and some I didn't), one was the lack of apps. Linux just didn't have the apps I needed, not wanted but needed.

In other news, Research Firms Paint Contrasting Pictures of Apple's Mac Shipments in Q2 2019

I pasted the worldwide and US exhibits together. The US shipments tell a tale as to why Apple is focusing on the Mac lines again. As apple no longer releases specific numbers these are estimates, so we don't know how close but I think its accurate enough to show a significant decline which can be attributed to the bad press from the keyboards, and other issues with the MBP. With the 2019 MBP, I think apple is on course to help right the ship, but the premium pricing may also be impacting sales. There's no ifs ands or buts about it, you get more computer for your dollar with Lenovo, Dell, HP, Asus, etc.