Do you only get 32 RAM on an iMac? As this is what I have! > On 6 May 2014, at 09:41 pm, 'Chris Blouch' via MacVisionaries > <[email protected]> wrote: > > The main constraint I've noticed when running virtual machines is Windows > beats on the hard drive. So my CPU will be taking a nap while Windows does > who-knows-what on the hard drive. In other words, Windows is an I/O bound not > CPU bound process. Sure, if you're doing something CPU intensive on there > like encoding audio or calculating 10K digits of pi the CPU might matter but > generally spinning disks have not kept up with the leaps in CPU performance. > So I would drop more money on SSD than CPU. Of course, then, there's RAM. If > you don't have enough the system will swap least used chunks of memory to > disk to make room for stuff you actually need. This swap to disk process can > turn any fast drive and CPU to sludge. Now days machines ship with 4GB of RAM > or more and that seems to work pretty well in most cases. If you're running > Windows in a virtual machine that is going to suck up a good chunk of RAM and > keep it as long as it is running. So for virtual machine users I'd bump up > the RAM to avoid going into swaps-a-lot mode. I just upgraded a Mac Mini from > 4 to 16GB. Cost was about $160 which, as an old computer geezer, is just > crazy cheap. > > CB > >> On 5/4/14, 12:46 PM, David Taylor wrote: >> It's plenty. My MBA runs faster with a VM than any Windows machine I ever had >>> On 4 May 2014, at 17:31, Tristan <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Would the 1.7 GHZ processor in a MacBook Air be enough for a virtual >>> machine though? Or does most of the dependency rely on RAM. >>> I don't have much experience with the whole virtual machine front, so >>> clarification would definitely be welcome. I originally only opted >>> with the MacBook Pro because of the higher processor statistics, and >>> glancing at a fully decked out MacBook Air 13 inch and a MacBook Pro >>> 13 inch retina, they come out to roughly the same price. >>> >>>> On 5/4/14, David Taylor <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> Many externals just work, even if they don't say they are compattible, and >>>> we are needing such drives less and less often now anyway. >>>> >>>>> On 4 May 2014, at 14:31, Eileen Misrahi <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Hello, >>>>> >>>>> I will ditto what David said. The way I handle a DVD/CD ROM drive is using >>>>> an external one. There are plenty out there that shouldn't cost more than >>>>> $20. The one I have is from my PC netbook days that didn't have an >>>>> internal DVD drive. Just make sure that the drive is compatible for Macs. >>>>> HTH. Oh by the way, I purchased an 11 inch MBA with all specs max out and >>>>> it's well worth the cost if you can do it. I'm in the process of loading >>>>> all the software that I can't run on the Mac on the PC side through >>>>> bootcamp and it's doing a terrific job, barring the user's mistakes and >>>>> learning Win 8. Good luck and I know you will enjoy the MBA. >>>>> >>>>> Take care. >>>>> >>>>> Eileen >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPhone >>>>> >>>>>> On May 4, 2014, at 5:31 AM, David Taylor <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Hi, >>>>>> >>>>>> I've gone for the 11 inch myself. I maxed everything out on it and find >>>>>> it is plenty good enough for me. If you don't need a built in SD slot, it >>>>>> has everything the 13 inch does, and easy enough to get any adaptors you >>>>>> need for connections it doesn't have, such as Ethanet if you want that. >>>>>> The portability is just awesome, performance perfectly good enough for >>>>>> almost every conceivable use, and I get hours of battery even when sat >>>>>> outside, streaming, tweeting, downloading and all sorts. I have a USB 3 >>>>>> hub I plug in for connecting and charging everything. Works for me, >>>>>> anyway. >>>>>> >>>>>> Cheers >>>>>> Dave >>>>>> >>>>>>> On 4 May 2014, at 07:31, Tristan <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> This was a great post. It really reopens the door to potentially >>>>>>> getting a Mac Air -- thanks Kayaker. I'd even maybe go for the >>>>>>> 13-incher, as it offers a longer battery life; though I may be >>>>>>> unnecessarily attempting to over compensate in terms of statistics. >>>>>>> I'd be happy to discuss this further with you offlist. >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On 5/3/14, Kayaker <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>> Hi, >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> There have been a lot of unsupported and non objective replies to your >>>>>>>> query. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> All Macs you can buy today are solid performers. We have reached the >>>>>>>> point >>>>>>>> in CPU performance that there's little difference between bottom of the >>>>>>>> line >>>>>>>> and top of the line machines for us who can't see, what's the >>>>>>>> difference >>>>>>>> between 500 frames per second in some game vs. 450 frames per second >>>>>>>> when >>>>>>>> your eye can't tell the difference. I promise you the average blind >>>>>>>> user's >>>>>>>> Mac barely breaks 30% cpu day to day. This part of the reason why the >>>>>>>> PC >>>>>>>> market is declining--people don't need to upgrade as often as they had >>>>>>>> in >>>>>>>> the past. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> There is absolutely no reason to buy the Macbook Pro if you are blind. >>>>>>>> The >>>>>>>> cost is mainly in the retina screen. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The single most important factor is internal memory. That will be the >>>>>>>> most >>>>>>>> significant real world speed boost for you and will help you in both >>>>>>>> bootcamp and or a virtual PC situation. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Don't bother paying for the processor upgrade. Do max out your RAM >>>>>>>> though. >>>>>>>> The internal hard drive SSD is the other place to put your money. The >>>>>>>> sweet >>>>>>>> spot in price seems to be 256G. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Some people will argue that using VM to run Windows needs every ounce >>>>>>>> of >>>>>>>> processor speed. I'll again argue the real world throughput for a blind >>>>>>>> user >>>>>>>> will be negligible. I suggest you test it out for yourself at an apple >>>>>>>> store. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I've been using Macs since the beginning. They last. I still use a >>>>>>>> PowerMac >>>>>>>> G 5 that's 10 years old. Part of it works better than my MacBook Air >>>>>>>> 2012 >>>>>>>> running the latest version of Mavericks. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> For a blind person, the 11 inch MacBook Air is a steal. Max out the >>>>>>>> RAM on >>>>>>>> the entry level version and pick a HD size that fits your needs. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Doubt my suggestions? Go to an apple store and see if you notice any >>>>>>>> difference between the two models. You won't. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Take the lightness, portability and power of the current 11 inch Air, >>>>>>>> and >>>>>>>> put the extra dollars towards apps. And if you don't want a laptop, >>>>>>>> save >>>>>>>> even more and get the MacMini. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Best, >>>>>>>> --k >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Faith doesn't give you the answers, it merely stops you from asking >>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>> questions. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On May 2, 2014, at 7:13 PM, Tristan <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Hello, >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I've been a part of this group for some time now, and have enjoyed >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> wealth of information that I've gleaned from observing. I've finally >>>>>>>>> come to the decision on switching from Windows to Mac. I'll either be >>>>>>>>> getting a MacBook Air, or MacBook Pro. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> One of the big things for me, however, is virtual machines (or >>>>>>>>> bootcamp). I still want to be able to virtualize a copy of Windows in >>>>>>>>> case I have programs that will only work on the Windows side. Right >>>>>>>>> now, the main things I do on Windows are word processing, internet >>>>>>>>> browsing, Skype which would be possible on the Mac side, music and >>>>>>>>> the >>>>>>>>> occasional game (mostly MUDs using a low memory client). I would like >>>>>>>>> to get a steady balance between battery power and processing power >>>>>>>>> without having to deal with busyness and lag. >>>>>>>>> I have my eye on the MacBook Air 13 inch (with both processor >>>>>>>>> options) >>>>>>>>> or the MacBook Pro. >>>>>>>>> MacBook Air configuration - 13 inch (256GB SSD HD): >>>>>>>>> 1.7GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.3GHz >>>>>>>>> 8GB 1600MHz LPDDR3 memory >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Or the MacBook pro (without Retina, 13 inch): >>>>>>>>> 2.9GHz Dual-core Intel Core i7, Turbo Boost up to 3.6GHz >>>>>>>>> 8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM -- 2x4GB >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> I'm really stuck at this point -- what will work the bes? It's also >>>>>>>>> sort of nerve-racking putting a large amount of money into something >>>>>>>>> that's already two years old. In all, I'm looking for something that >>>>>>>>> will last, has updated hardware, and can handle an OS running >>>>>>>>> alongside the Mac environment without any hiccups. I'm on a budget of >>>>>>>>> about 1,550 dollars. >>>>>>>>> I warmly welcome any advice. And yes, I know this list is mainly for >>>>>>>>> voiceover users -- but I thought, as a visually impaired user myself, >>>>>>>>> that it would be appropriate to ask here. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> Thanks in advance. >>>>>>>>> -Tristan >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>>>>>> an >>>>>>>>> email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>>> Groups >>>>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>>>>> an >>>>>>>> email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>>> -- >>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>>>> email to [email protected]. >>>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>>> email to [email protected]. >>>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>>> email to [email protected]. >>>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >>>> >>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>> "MacVisionaries" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >>> email to [email protected]. >>> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. >>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > > -- > ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "MacVisionaries" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/macvisionaries. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
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