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January 1, 2020, 23:03 |
Mac or Windows laptop
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#1 |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Dear all
I am a beginner in cfd field. I am looking for buying a new laptop, i will use it for writing my reports and some code testing or may be running codes and some post processing. ( I write my own codes on matlab and currently learning fortran) I am considering buying the new 16inch MacBook Pro as it has a very good cpu , i never tried macOS before and i am a windows user. So what do you think ? Should i go for the mac or get a windows laptop ?? |
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January 2, 2020, 03:33 |
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#2 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,399
Rep Power: 46 |
There are plenty of windows laptop alternatives with similar or faster CPU options as the Macbook Pro 16". So that's not a reason to go with apple.
Since your tasks don't seem to favor the apple ecosystem, and you have not committed to it yet, I would recommend you stay away from it. |
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January 2, 2020, 07:44 |
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#3 | |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Quote:
Can I ask why should I avoid it ?? |
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January 2, 2020, 08:04 |
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#4 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,399
Rep Power: 46 |
I am probably way too biased to to be taken seriously on this particular topic, but here is a non-exhaustive list of my arguments
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January 2, 2020, 09:03 |
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#5 | |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Quote:
thank you for your advice. but don't you think that the new one is a good one compared with the rest of the available laptops? If I bought a mac, would I face a problem in programming over it or post-processing? cant I install windows on mac ? |
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January 2, 2020, 09:42 |
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#6 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,399
Rep Power: 46 |
Sure, there is boot camp to get windows running on a mac.
My argument against that in your particular case: why buy a macbook, if you intend to run windows on it most of the time, if not exclusively It's not like apple magically has better hardware than any other manufacturer. Or better support for professionals. |
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January 2, 2020, 09:47 |
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#7 | |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Quote:
I got it, I don't intend to use windows again as I will just code and post-process on it ( simulation will be on a workstation ). I will use my laptop for writing and doing presentations and some code testing as I mentioned. I dont want complicated things, nor i want to face problems which will waste my time in solving that is why I am asking if there are problems with coding fortran for example on mac or including libraries ... etc. As I searched there are laptops with the same specs but with similar prices like Dell XPS the new one with the 10th gen processor. Dell XPS 15 is an option too but I don't prefer dell especially the reselling price for mac is very good. |
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January 2, 2020, 10:02 |
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#8 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,399
Rep Power: 46 |
Again, I don't see the appeal for you. You are a windows user, and none of the applications you mentioned so far would require a mac.
The resale value is kind of a moot point in my opinion. After spending 3500€ on a new laptop, I would expect the resale value to be rather high. You still loose more money on the sale compared to buying a similar spec 2500€ laptop. |
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January 2, 2020, 10:15 |
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#9 | |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Quote:
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January 2, 2020, 10:22 |
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#10 |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,399
Rep Power: 46 |
Just to emphasize this once more, you should take my opinion with a grain of salt. I am very biased when it comes to apple
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January 2, 2020, 11:22 |
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#11 | |
Member
Mianzhi Wang
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Columbus, IN
Posts: 34
Rep Power: 11 |
Mac is good. It's like a Linux distro without package manager. What better than Mac is a Linux distro with proper package manager.
Quote:
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January 16, 2020, 18:33 |
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#12 |
Member
Ivan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: 3rd planet
Posts: 34
Rep Power: 8 |
I have Mac Pro 15 2017. CPU 6 cores, 4G GPU, 32 ram. Very rare using, only for emails, presentations, autocad, bad with 3D cad models.
There is some Ansys software for Mac OS. I know some people how more or less happy. But this is 5%. Windows on Mac is terrible, parallels or analogue is too slow. Some even use Ubuntu on mac)) generally I agree with flotus - Mac is not for engineering and not value based or cost effective solution. If you have budget I advice Lenovo. They have more rigid case and better keyboard the HP and dell. With 1060 https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops.../p/22TP2TXX1E2 With Quadra https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops.../p/22WS2WPP102 |
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January 21, 2020, 10:11 |
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#13 | |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Quote:
It has i7 9750H. I will use it for fortran coding, i dont think i will use ansys on it. What do you mean parallel is too slow ?? |
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January 21, 2020, 11:38 |
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#14 |
Senior Member
Erik
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Earth (Land portion)
Posts: 1,167
Rep Power: 23 |
There are many engineering programs, (including ANSYS) which will not run on a MAC. They only run on Linux or Windows. Find out if the programs you need to use will run on a MAC.
Why get a MAC if it won't run the programs you need? MACs are for looking pretty and syncing with your iphone easily, not for engineering work. |
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January 21, 2020, 11:55 |
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#15 | |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Quote:
I am not looking for pretty, .... etc. just the reliability and durability and long term support. people around me using it for years and I changed 2 windows laptops during the same period. |
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January 21, 2020, 12:12 |
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#16 |
Member
Ivan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: 3rd planet
Posts: 34
Rep Power: 8 |
As for performance Mac Pro 16 2019-20 is almost the same as Mac Pro 15,6 2017-18, main difference is more reliable keyboard.
CPU with 8 cores and Turbo - marketing, no real performance because not enough power and cooling for this hardware to run on full GHz to make real difference. Turbo bust is only for one core at special condition (in special Apple refrigerator - joke=) ), etc. GPU - also marketing, also because of not enough power and cooling for this hardware to run on full GHz to make real difference. RAM - low GHz 2666. As for 2020 I think this is too low. If only coding and chatting in Starbucks - Mac Air I think will be the same performance with 2 cores 1,2 GHz... and many other cheaper laptops... Parallels: https://www.parallels.com/products/desktop/ I use it at first time - but to many problems with file names, broken files, etc. I don't recommend. |
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January 21, 2020, 12:23 |
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#17 | |
Member
Ivan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: 3rd planet
Posts: 34
Rep Power: 8 |
Quote:
Linus - yes, much better then Windows, some specific problems with some software can occur. 7/10 Mac OS - almost perfect. 10/10 Yes it is more durable then many other laptops. I also like durable that is why I choose Lenovo, compare to HP and Dell. My personal choice. If need Mac Pro now - I prefer to buy more powerful Mac Pro 2017 15,6 for cheaper price (I know many store still have them), mainly with more SSD space, RAM, better GPU, then Mac Pro 2019-2020 16. |
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January 21, 2020, 13:10 |
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#18 | |
Super Moderator
Alex
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Germany
Posts: 3,399
Rep Power: 46 |
Quote:
Btw, written on a 6 year old Thinkpad T440s that gets lugged around every day. If you want reliability, durability and support, consider a business-grade laptop from Lenovo, Dell, HP, Fujitsu...you can probably tell which brand I prefer |
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January 21, 2020, 13:21 |
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#19 | |
Member
Yusuf Elbadry
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 65
Rep Power: 7 |
Quote:
Lenovo, if I want a laptop with xeon processor or a H processor, it will be in the same category, so there is no much difference. I changed an acer ( 800$ ) and HP ( 850 $ ), they are still breathing but I cant open solid on the HP and the acer was a headache. I wasted 1700$ in 8 years. battery failed in both after 1 year. |
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January 21, 2020, 13:35 |
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#20 |
Member
Ivan
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: 3rd planet
Posts: 34
Rep Power: 8 |
Forget about Apple - ThinkPad and Siemens ME45 is everything you need
Your children can use it after you. Or sell as a vintage IT hardware BTW all experience guys, with whom I work on construction side, on oilfields, etc., use something like this: https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops.../p/22WS2WPWP72 There is also old versions 15, 17" ThinkPads, 10+ years, still running, despite the barrels of coffee spilled on them. |
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