Why not just run a VPN?

[CM_1986]

Is there a reason to not run VMWare and access applications that demand high resources? Instead of blowing thousands on a spec’d out laptop?

Do large applications not run well on VPN’s using VMWare specifically?
Engineering apps in particular.

slow performance etc or no different than the program being local on your computer?

 

[Howard2k]

VPN is a method for encrypting traffic between two or more points.

I think you're referring to something like VNC or Remote Desktop or similar? Small laptop opens a remote session to a more powerful computer that is stationed remotely and that remote computer does all the heavy lifting.

Yeah it's certainly a good strategy if you don't need to get your data between your current location and the remote node. If the data is local and the node is remote then you have bandwidth constraints to consider.

 

[jerryk]

I do a lot of my work (ML) in the cloud. It gives me access to a lot of resource and pre-configured environments.

The downside is the need for constant connection, and the cost. I get billed a tiny amount per minute, but at the end of the month it can add up. And sometimes what you are doing does not pan out after 10 hours of running, it feels like you might as well just start lighting ten and twenty (dollars, euros, etc) notes on fire.

 

[chrfr]

Is there a reason to not run VMWare and access applications that demand high resources? Instead of blowing thousands on a spec’d out laptop?

Do large applications not run well on VPN’s using VMWare specifically?
Engineering apps in particular.

slow performance etc or no different than the program being local on your computer?

Are you using the term "VPN" to mean virtual machine? A VPN does not entail running apps on someone else's computer, but rather running your network connection through another network.
Virtualizing still has to use CPU somewhere, so running applications natively will perform better than in a virtual environment, and if you're doing that on your laptop it'll be slower than just running the apps in the native operating system.
You can't get around the fact that you need to have access to a fast computer somewhere.

 

[AustinIllini]

Someone has to pay for a VM. That person is you.

Not to mention, VMs can be pricey to get the performance you expect.

You pay in your Mac or you pay someone, but high power processing architectures are expensive.

 

[gplusplus]

I do a lot of my work (ML) in the cloud. It gives me access to a lot of resource and pre-configured environments.

The downside is the need for constant connection, and the cost. I get billed a tiny amount per minute, but at the end of the month it can add up. And sometimes what you are doing does not pan out after 10 hours of running, it feels like you might as well just start lighting ten and twenty (dollars, euros, etc) notes on fire.

You are my spirit animal, buddy. I’m the one constantly setting my dollar bills on fire! Having my own portable bare metal makes me more productive and lowers my overall operational costs.

 

[CM_1986]

I have access to a VMWare setup for free where I can log in remotely and utilize a various array of applications for engineering.

 

[csa819]

The answer, like always, is that it depends. Virtual desktops vary with the amount of resources assigned to the machine. High performance VM's are expensive. High performance laptops are expensive. If it's a school account, or a free tier on Azure, you're probably not going to get a high spec machine. I work on remote machines all day, and my VM never performs all that well.

 

[poorcody]

I have one use case which matches what you suggest: I need to run ML code on a NVIDIA GPU. I actually have a desktop PC that I VNC into to do the work. It also allows me to buy inexpensive RAM and storage, and the GPU(s) I wish, and use it as if it was "built-in" to my MacBook. So, yes, I think your are right, there are cases where this is the way to go. Of course is you need a good, reliable connection to the server, but that seems less of an issue these days than it used to.

 

[csa819]

I have a linux box and a Win 10 box I do the same with. Less issues with RDP into Win10.