I got the 13 inch for the battery life. 11 inch has 9 hours, compared to the 13 inch which has 12. While using a virtual machine -- or -- Windows in general, it's important to have as much battery life as possible, as Windows lacks the excellent power management that OSX has. That three hours could mean a large difference in terms of how much battery life is taken off from virtual machines.
On 5/7/14, Kayaker <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi, > > You should be all set. But I have to admit I’m puzzled why you went for the > 13 inch instead of the 11 inch Air? The screen seems like a silly place to > invest dollars if you can’t see it. > > Regardless, the specs will serve you well for quite some time for what your > stated needs are. Think hard about using bootcamp or VMware Fusion as your > Windows solution. Pros and cons both ways. Check the archives here for lots > of tips. > > Best, > —k > Faith doesn’t give you the answers, it merely stops you from asking the > questions. > > > > > On May 6, 2014, at 7:45 PM, Tristan <[email protected]> wrote: > >> 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 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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 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