Considering the switch to a Macbook - how bad does Windows run?

Brawler

Brawler

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Hi.

May seem like an odd thing to do, buy a mac and run Windows :confused: But I'll risk the flaming anyway. I have googled and couldnt find any 2017 or newer threads.

I'm due for a new laptop at work. Can either get a new Dell XPS or Macbook Pro as they are all about the same price. Three of my colleagues have the 2017 XPS 13's and 15's and all of them have had quite severe issues. Other than the problems they seem like nice machines.

Right now I need Windows for a few things (Visual studio, SQL server - nothing too hectic) so if I get a Mac I will need to use a virtual machine or Bootcamp. How big of a performance hit would I be taking if I go for Bootcamp Windows 10? Any other cons?

I've always used Windows but as a tech guy I'd like to give OSX a bash for everything else and see what the fuss is about. If Windows works just as good on a Mac then I'll go for it.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, I have a Windows desktop for 90% of my productive work. This laptop is just for travel/meetings.

Thanks!
 
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I had Windows on both my MacBook Pro and Mac Pro through Bootcamp, and it ran flawlessly. All the drivers and peripherals worked perfectly.

Just don't expect stellar gaming performance, but other than that it runs just as good as a Windows based machine.
 
Thanks! Yeah no gaming on this work laptop.
 
If we're talking about the new Macbook pros then it's probably not worth it.

You'll have to get the 15-inch model to get one with 16GB of memory and then you're paying R40k starting price. The top specced XPS 13 with the latest i7, 16GB of memory and four times the storage is a little less than that.

Unless you're buying a Mac to do Mac things then it really doesn't make much sense.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
If we're talking about the new Macbook pros then it's probably not worth it.

You'll have to get the 15-inch model to get one with 16GB of memory and then you're paying R40k starting price. The top specced XPS 13 with the latest i7, 16GB of memory and four times the storage is a little less than that.

Unless you're buying a Mac to do Mac things then it really doesn't make much sense.
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Prices are similar on my price list. Mac just has 512gb ssd vs 1tb on Dell.
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
I just looked at these two comparisons quickly (didn't look very hard):

https://www.digicape.co.za/macbook-pro?has_options=1&product_id=2980672

https://www.wootware.co.za/dell-936...-pci-e-ssd-windows-10-pro-touch-notebook.html
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Thanks but I've got a set supplier that I can't change. The Dell is the same price as wootware and the 512gb i7 MacBook is also 38k.

Dont really need the storage and learning to use a new OS is more important to me than unused hdd. As long as windows runs perfect.
 
Brawler said:
Thanks but I've got a set supplier that I can't change. The Dell is the same price as wootware and the 512gb i7 MacBook is also 38k.

Dont really need the storage and learning to use a new OS is more important to me than unused hdd. As long as windows runs perfect.
Click to expand...

Last time I used Bootcamp on a Macbook it worked with no issues.
 
Look at the hp

Look at the HP Folio 1040 or better the Elitebook 820 or 840. I use them. Prefer them over the macs and you can get upto 4K dream colour screens on them.

If you want a Mac Pro get a hp Zbook. With firegl or quadro Fx graphics, Xeon cpu and 4x ram slots and dual hdd withdreamcolour display
 
My best windows laptop ever was a Mac. Their attention to driver detail made my previous dell and HP laptops a joke.
 
Without a doubt my MBP was the best laptop I've ever had.

I use Parallels and run any Windows app at pretty much native speed.

The only thing I have against Mac's is if they ever break, you will cry for weeks.

I'm still crying: repair cost for the screen and logic board is ... painful

Would I get one again? If I can afford it without a doubt. And this is said as a Windows developer
 
Its a work laptop and they support Mac so that shouldn't be a problem.

Doing some more research now. It seems the massive touchpad is a bit dodge under windows? that would drive me batshiit crazy.
 
Small detail I forgot from OP: I have a Windows multi-monitor desktop for 90% of my productive work. This laptop is just for travel/meetings.
 
Brawler said:
Thanks but I've got a set supplier that I can't change. The Dell is the same price as wootware and the 512gb i7 MacBook is also 38k.

Dont really need the storage and learning to use a new OS is more important to me than unused hdd. As long as windows runs perfect.
Click to expand...
There are a few options for running windows. Parallels is another option.

I bought a used Macbook as that price suited my pocket better.
That way I've been learning quite a few things.

I have to confess I still prefer windows.
But that might have something to do with the fact that 95%+ of my clients run windows...
 
Got a 2012 13" MBP with 16GB ram and 1TB SSD, runs windows 10 flawlessly with bootcamp.
 
Yep, running Windows with BootCamp works very well. Probably better than many dedicated Windows machines :D

If you don't need max GPU performance under Windows then virtualisation is also a really good option. Like Parallels for instance.
 
Can anyone comment on the touchpad(mouse not touchbar) on the new macbooks under windows 10?
 
I used Parallels for a while and found it an understandably awful experience when doing intensive things like dealing with multiple massive visual studio solutions, sql server and remote desktop.
 
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