I opted with the 13 inch MacBook Air early 2014 model. 1.7 GHZ (turboboost up to 3.3 GHz), 256 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM. I think from what I've heard so far I should be more than set for either VM or bootcamp.
On 5/6/14, Kawal Gucukoglu <[email protected]> wrote: > 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. > > -- > 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. 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