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TechRunner

macrumors 65816
Oct 28, 2016
1,148
1,982
SW Florida, US
I like the Samsung hardware just not a fan of the fact that they want to push their own ecosystem, resulting in double apps. Pixel is the only device for me.
After two consecutive Pixels I'm back on Samsung, and that's my biggest issue. If only they'd let the end user delete ALL the duplicate apps.
 
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keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
This village idiot is wondering something... But is the MS Office on a Mac problem the fault of MS, who doesn't want to make something work on the Mac, or Apple for doing something that makes it hard for MS? Or both?

I havent researched the reasons I must admit but to me it feels like sloppy coding. Like they're using an existing code base and slopping it over to mac without really caring very much about the look and feel.

we're an MS partner at work so I get to hear all the messaging. A LOT. Several times a day and over the years I've heard "we're doubling down on apple, we're a software company after all", "apple office will always be secondary to windows", "we want an equal user experience, mac is a huge market for us" and of course, the usual "wait for the next version".

My purely personal feeling without any evidence is that the apple guys in MS do care and are trying to do their best but probably just don't have enough resource/clout to say "oi no you can't make the windows version do that in that way because it won't port over nicely at all".

....but how the heck after all these years and all these versions, can it still be the case that the first thing everyone has to do when opening an excel spreadsheet on mac is move the scaling so we can see the darned thing. Doesn't make any sense to me.
 
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keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
I like the Samsung hardware just not a fan of the fact that they want to push their own ecosystem, resulting in double apps. Pixel is the only device for me.

Completely agree, the double apps is incredibly annoying sigh. I'd far prefer the stock android experience.

....but, that s-pen in the s22ultra, I do love it. I've spoken to friends who hardly use the pen at all, but for me, it's one of the things that I love over the apple experience. It's great to just grab the pen and take a note or scribble on a screenshot and email it.

For me, the pixel 7pro software experience feels the best but the hardware of the s22ultra is a notch better and with the s22ultra I never feel like I'm missing out on any options/features, it has it all..

I'd really like google to make a 7 ultra or something. Perhaps the pixel fold indicates that's the direction of travel
 
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LiE_

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 23, 2013
1,498
4,537
UK
So here is where I am.

iMac is being collected today, as is my iPhone 14. Apple watch I have raised a return for also (I didn't get that from Apple). Back on my work Lenovo L13 laptop and Pixel 5.

I've ordered another Gigabyte M28U that I found on offer, it's also getting hard to find stock. That screen I know is a good one and I can run it from USB-C on my laptop short term. 4K 144hz with an SRGB mode is heaven to my eyes.

I do want to build a new PC but I need to think carefully about it. My current requirements are:

- Ideally Ryzen 7000 CPU to give the most longevity.
- Smaller form factor. I would go ITX but there are too many compromises and the new AM5 chipset requires quite a bit of cooling resulting in active cooling on the ITX boards. I don't want to go down that route again with a tiny fan on the motherboard. So looking at Micro ATX.
- I'd prefer a white case.
- minimal/no-RGB of course.
- Since I have no desire to play games currently I am thinking of just using the iGPU on the CPU until there's something that interests me. Diablo 4 in June is probably that time. This means I can get a better deal on a GPU when we have the mid tier GPUs and prices have come down a bit. I don't want to spend more than £600 on a GPU considering I will not play much.
- Cooling will be Noctua of course for a quiet idle/desktop PC.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
71,651
40,822
This village idiot is wondering something... But is the MS Office on a Mac problem the fault of MS, who doesn't want to make something work on the Mac, or Apple for doing something that makes it hard for MS? Or both?
I'm going to say Apple, because one of the issues I had is on my Mac, Apple's mail client shows small text that when viewed on outlook on my pc, its normal size.
 

keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
So here is where I am.

I said to someone at the weekend, my life would be easier and less expensive if I'd never tried apple :) I was perfectly content with windows/android (and even more so with windows phone).

I did end up building a new pc with a really nice spec. In fact totally overspecced but fast, quiet and faultless tbh. Windows is natural for me to use and gets out of my way. I can't say I feel the love for it the way I do for apple but in terms of getting stuff done, there's less that gets in my way.

Phone wise, the integration between windows/android isn't nearly at the level of apple/apple so tbh I could happily use an iphone whilst using windows on my desktop and not miss out really.

BUT I kinda FEEL like apple should be all in or all out? dont know WHY it matters really but still. I am enjoying the configurability of the s22ultra although I wonder when that wears off will I miss the iphone.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
71,651
40,822
iMac is being collected today,
That's the thing, if the apps you rely on, or use often are performing poorly, whether its UI, UX, or whatnot, then its hard to justify spending that much money on a computer.

Ideally Ryzen 7000 CPU to give the most longevity.
I really like the non-X 7000 CPUs that just came out. It offers a great mix if performance, cools, temps and yet has the same core/thread count as it bigger X'd brother.
 

keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
That's the thing, if the apps you rely on, or use often are performing poorly, whether its UI, UX, or whatnot, then its hard to justify spending that much money on a computer.

this is very very true and I think that maybe kinda possibly sums up where I am! I WANT to love apple but when I get down to work, the apps tend to just work without fuss on windows.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
71,651
40,822
the apps tend to just work without fuss on windows.
Yeah, but windows isn't guilt free, sometimes dealing with something that should work but doesn't and can be mind numbingly frustrating.

Here's my take, overall Apple provides a holistic solution and user experience. you generally know what you'll get with the hardware and OS. If you can live in that walled garden, then things really open up for you productivity wise. If you rely on other apps or have issues with how Apple does things then its less of a walled garden and more of a barred jail cell

For instance, there's a long running thread about how Macs handle non-4k displays. I think I mentioned it here, they made changes to the OS, so that text (images?) are not sharp. They're not blurry but they're not crisp. Its an inferior experience. Apple expects you the consumer to use a 4k/5k/8k display. Apple's minions in that thread pushed the narrative, that if you use a mac, you have to use a 4k and so go buy a 4k/5k/8k monitor. People kept excusing apple's short comings and blaming the consumer. Windows generally just lets you use what ever hardware you want and plays a lot nicer.
 

keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
For instance, there's a long running thread about how Macs handle non-4k displays. I think I mentioned it here, they made changes to the OS, so that text (images?) are not sharp. They're not blurry but they're not crisp. Its an inferior experience. Apple expects you the consumer to use a 4k/5k/8k display. Apple's minions in that thread pushed the narrative, that if you use a mac, you have to use a 4k and so go buy a 4k/5k/8k monitor. People kept excusing apple's short comings and blaming the consumer. Windows generally just lets you use what ever hardware you want and plays a lot nicer.

yep I remember it well. All fine when they used sub pixel antialiasing, then they turned it off for some reason and bang :( perhaps "some reason" was to make their own panels look better and sell more. It's a problem for me because the largest, sensibly priced (ish), monitor they do is 27" and I prefer something around 38/40. This is ignoring the XDR pro because that's just insanely expensive and still only 32.

so yep I tend to agree. If you buy all apple, live and work the way they want you to with the hardware they sell, all good.... a foot outside and ouch.
 
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LiE_

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 23, 2013
1,498
4,537
UK
I said to someone at the weekend, my life would be easier and less expensive if I'd never tried apple :) I was perfectly content with windows/android (and even more so with windows phone).

I did end up building a new pc with a really nice spec. In fact totally overspecced but fast, quiet and faultless tbh. Windows is natural for me to use and gets out of my way. I can't say I feel the love for it the way I do for apple but in terms of getting stuff done, there's less that gets in my way.

Phone wise, the integration between windows/android isn't nearly at the level of apple/apple so tbh I could happily use an iphone whilst using windows on my desktop and not miss out really.

BUT I kinda FEEL like apple should be all in or all out? dont know WHY it matters really but still. I am enjoying the configurability of the s22ultra although I wonder when that wears off will I miss the iphone.

I am the same when it comes to all in Apple. I explained to my wife that if I'm using an Apple computer then I am using an iPhone. When I move back to Windows I go back into Google services and use a Pixel. That way things work better together.

I've found using Google to be excellent in terms of the cloud services. I have a pinned tab in Chrome for Gmail that also has the split view into calendar. I get all my email and calendar notifications on phone and desktop. Photos are in Google Photos which I don't have to think about when I have a Pixel as that is default. WhatsApp where I do 99% of my messaging has a Windows desktop app.

Passwords are all managed in Chrome which I use on my phone and desktop. I use Edge on my Desktop for work purposes, signed into my 365 account to keep things separate.
 
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keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
I've found using Google to be excellent in terms of the cloud services. I have a pinned tab in Chrome for Gmail that also has the split view into calendar. I get all my email and calendar notifications on phone and desktop. Photos are in Google Photos which I don't have to think about when I have a Pixel as that is default. WhatsApp where I do 99% of my messaging has a Windows desktop app.

Passwords are all managed in Chrome which I use on my phone and desktop. I use Edge on my Desktop for work purposes, signed into my 365 account to keep things separate.

pretty much the same for me except as microsoft partners, we use m365 at work.... good idea using edge for that tbh.

but yep google photos on my android, working great and easily accessible on windows although I do need to buy some more google photos space :)

I'd say 60% of people imessage me right now and 40% whatsapp... but when I ask them, I find people tend to say "oh I didnt know you had whatsapp, yeah I'll use that then"

Same on passwords

So yeah, we're pretty much in the same boat. Perhaps I need to give the pixel 7pro a bit more love before buying the s23ultra in a few weeks...
 

keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
Nice,
What are your thoughts on GPU?
It seems to be giving you some warnings on compatibility - just a heads up

quite cool that it does that! I'll have to start using that site.... I spent an AGE working out what size of PSU I Could get, checking all the dimensions etc.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
71,651
40,822
quite cool that it does that! I'll have to start using that site.... I spent an AGE working out what size of PSU I Could get, checking all the dimensions etc.
No doubt, I used it for my last two builds as well. There's other competing sites, that I use to help compare/contrast. There's a computer store near me - Microcenter, and they have a building tool. I use that as well
 
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LiE_

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 23, 2013
1,498
4,537
UK
Nice,
What are your thoughts on GPU?
It seems to be giving you some warnings on compatibility - just a heads up

Potentially a used 3080 or 6900/6950XT for around £500. Otherwise will have to see how the GPUs fair price wise over the next few months.

Yea it always complains about PSU length, but I always remove the HDD cage anyway giving plenty of room.

looks really good. can't go wrong with noctua obviously.

I went intel+asus for mboard... still nice and quiet though.

My only issue with 13th gen is the socket is dead already. In 3-4 years time I could drop in a 9800X or whatever it is on the motherboard I buy today.
 

keithop

macrumors 6502
Jul 22, 2002
424
511
Potentially a used 3080 or 6900/6950XT for around £500. Otherwise will have to see how the GPUs fair price wise over the next few months.

yeah I went 3080... I dont game but they're quiet enough now not to annoy me and it takes care of everything I do without stuttering
My only issue with 13th gen is the socket is dead already. In 3-4 years time I could drop in a 9800X or whatever it is on the motherboard I buy today.

totally true. I tend to just build a completely new one so it never worries me but yep you're right
 

LeeW

macrumors 68040
Feb 5, 2017
3,451
7,012
Over here
But is the MS Office on a Mac problem the fault of MS, who doesn't want to make something work on the Mac, or Apple for doing something that makes it hard for MS? Or both?

They did a decent job but they didn't do the best job. Why? Probably the same reason Apple did a decent job but not the best job on apps they built for Windows. They are more interested in their own platform, not someone else's.
 

allan.nyholm

Contributor
Nov 22, 2007
2,211
2,380
Aalborg, Denmark
@LiE_ I must say, that after having read most of your woes with Macs and Windows PC's I can honestly say and ask you in the same sentence if this switching back and for isn't hard on your psyche?

I would imagine it is. Could you ever settle down, and then be content with that decision? I guess, again, after having read the thread, that the answer would be no.

Is it as much the Mac itself or is in macOS vs building / buying a Windows capable PC / Windows - that's the reason for this.

I do envy your means of cash flow and determination. I just don't think it's healthy. I say that because I've been switching back and forth using macOS Big Sur and macOS Monterey and then Windows 10 plus a little Windows 11 for along time and it takes a toll on me and my disk drive, but me in particular as it takes quite a bit of preparation for backup purposes(APFS Time Machine backup vs an exFAT formatted drive for reading on Windows)

On top of that it takes quite a substantial amount of my time.

All because I had this idea of either side having greener grass. In reality it's not green, it's just painted that way.

For the times I've done this, it almost always comes down to Windows' lack of hi-dpi implementation.. And many software developers could not care less about Microsoft's UI and UX guidelines.

I've lasted at most 4 days on Windows 10 - setting it all up and being "cool, it's nice and seems like Windows has less overhead for some reason" "however, there is a lot of initial driver installation and reboots - that's normal I guess"

Then it gets to the point where I dive a little deeper into Windows because that's in my nature since using Windows XP and themes and such.. I see the terrible pits of doom of disgusting designs on Windows and more and more apps that I download either has a tiny tiny installation window or normal size installation window but small text and installation graphics.. I'm looking at Google Chrome installer in particular.

The hi-dpi resolution thing is probably overused. It's just not the whole thought behind me writing this comment.

My hope for you is that you find a little rest in your decisions and perhaps write a list on physical paper containing a "pros" and "cons" column - then look at that and base your decision on that.. It's a much more tangible solution than base it on e.g desire or feelings

Sometimes it has come over me to try a different OS and build a computer.. I know that if I build a PC I will make it a macOS computer that's ten times as fast and a 3rd of the price of my current Intel iMac.. I think it's that I have an iMac now and have built PC's for Hackintosh purposes in the past, that I can see the benefits of direct access to hardware.
Then again a 5K monitor to add to the PC setup will be as expensive as me buying a 2019 or later 27" Intel iMac.

Sorry about the long write. the thread title sure does live up to its name.

Edit.. and if I'm touching on subjects mentioned by you in the past then I don't mean to parrot them here as previously unsaid.. and if if I touch on subjects that are too sensitive / personal, then I didn't mean to do that either. Only writing as a user on a forum that can see a little of this flip-flopping in himself..
 

anshuvorty

macrumors 68030
Sep 1, 2010
2,968
4,016
California, USA
I really wish it were that simple. For gamers like the OP (and myself), it becomes a bit more complicated. I prefer the Apple ecosystem, but there are too many sacrifices and roadblocks for gamers. Maybe one day....

Just like in life, nothing is ever that simple, everything has pros and cons. You just gotta adapt and accept it, and since you are a gamer, it makes even more sense just to custom build your own Windows PC and use that as your gaming rig. It's not only cheaper, but performance will be even better than if you bought a prebuilt gaming PC.
 
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eltoslightfoot

macrumors 65816
Feb 25, 2011
1,491
1,854
I don’t know. I found the M1 architecture made having a relatively cheap mac easier to get so more budget can go to a gaming PC (which is what I did). I have to give up on having a high-end gaming PC (I only have a AMD 5600X with a 3060Ti instead of more) to go with my MBA, but it really does work for me. I load BetterSnapTool for an improved windows snap experience (over windows even). I admit, this equation definitely changed for me with Advanced Data Protection. Now I can use iCloud photos, docs, etc., and it is all user encrypted.

Microsoft won’t give that to me with Onedrive and we all know Google will run from e2e encryption. Easy decision for me, but only because I can afford it now. When I was in college, it would have been tougher to justify.

Of course when I was in college I bought a packard bell from Sears and added on an ATI 12 MB booster card.
 
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