Advice Wanted: Windows or Mac Laptop For Work

[Ysterperd]

Hi! I need some advice. I've been a loyal Samsung user for several years and recently decided to try an iPhone again and I'm loving it so far. I have had iPhones, MacBooks, iMacs and iPads in the past. I'm actually still using an iPad Pro for taking notes and lite office tasks like taking notes on OneNote with the Pencil, reading emails and documents while out of office. With the recent switch to iPhone and the iPad working so reliably the idea came to mind to totally switch to Apple with the main component remaining being my Laptop.

Here's what I mostly do/use on a computer:

• Emails on Outlook.
• Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint. I often work with large and complex spreadsheets.
• I dabble in programming, specifically Python at the moment. We have used it to automate some tasks like scraping websites for data.
• Browse internet on Chrome.
• The odd photo edit or design on Gimp or Inkscape (don't judge 😅, it's usually just to play with ideas and concepts. I am not a designer or photographer)
• I don't really have time for games anymore and have a PS4 Pro which I haven't used since the hard lockdown last year March. I also haven't opened Steam in over a year as well.

My current setup:

• Alienware m15 with i9-8950HK, 32GB memory, 2 x 512GB NVMe SSDs, RTX2080
• Dell WD19TB Thunderbolt dock (to connect all my things to keep the desk tidy)
• 34" 1440p Ultrawide monitor
• 27" 1440p monitor
• Laptop is always closed. I don't use the laptop monitor unless I'm not at my desk.

I must admit, I enjoy the Alienware laptop, but I bought it because it looked good on paper with quite impressive specifications.

My issues with my current laptop:

• Fans can be noisy
• Gets hot quickly
• Battery doesn't last long
• I've had issues where the screen goes black and the laptop is unresponsive. No idea what causes it, but it doesn't happen often. Reliability is key for me, because time is valuable.

I am considering replacing my laptop with a MacBook Pro. Should I do it?

Any advice will be greatly appreciated! The new MacBooks are expensive so I don't want to make an uninformed decision and regret it later.

Lastly, if anyone here has a fairly new MacBook and is considering a trade, please contact me.

 

[bradd.o]

My friend also had issues with his Alienware laptop, think his was to do with the battery as well as memory, really unfortunate bro😕 Hope you find what you’re looking for, I said windows OS but I know everyone loves Mac for work use as well

 

[Mr. Krabs]

The laptop you currently use is awesome! Unfortunately, you have the listed problems.

MacBooks would have more battery life however not as much power as your Alienware. (Even a top of the range MacBook Pro 16”)

I think you should consider if you like MacOS (usability wise and if you have Mac specific Apps that you’d like to use)

Apart from software, the hardware advantage would only be battery life and a retina display.

Both can do the task you have listed above but comes down to preference. I prefer MacOS for work since my profession is software engineering so I can vouch MacBooks being great for coding. 👍

 

[dalion619]

Hi! I need some advice. I've been a loyal Samsung user for several years and recently decided to try an iPhone again and I'm loving it so far. I have had iPhones, MacBooks, iMacs and iPads in the past. I'm actually still using an iPad Pro for taking notes and lite office tasks like taking notes on OneNote with the Pencil, reading emails and documents while out of office. With the recent switch to iPhone and the iPad working so reliably the idea came to mind to totally switch to Apple with the main component remaining being my Laptop.

Here's what I mostly do/use on a computer:

• Emails on Outlook.
• Word, Excel, OneNote and PowerPoint. I often work with large and complex spreadsheets.
• I dabble in programming, specifically Python at the moment. We have used it to automate some tasks like scraping websites for data.
• Browse internet on Chrome.
• The odd photo edit or design on Gimp or Inkscape (don't judge 😅, it's usually just to play with ideas and concepts. I am not a designer or photographer)
• I don't really have time for games anymore and have a PS4 Pro which I haven't used since the hard lockdown last year March. I also haven't opened Steam in over a year as well.

I'm sure that's all possible on the iPad Pro?

 

[mikewazar]

Just a quick one from my side, if you go Macbook route keep in mind M1 model Macbooks do not support more than one external display. The Mac Mini does th0

 

[Ysterperd]

Just a quick one from my side, if you go Macbook route keep in mind M1 model Macbooks do not support more than one external display. The Mac Mini does th0

Thanks for this! This is definitely a deal breaker for the new M1 models.

 

[Ysterperd]

I'm sure that's all possible on the iPad Pro?

Technically it is probably possible, but I won't consider doing it this way. It really is still just a tablet and I'm sure I'll run in to several limitations which will just frustrate me and cost me time.

 

[jasonleewd]

If more than one display is your thing, the new Mac’s won’t work besides the Mac mini. However, MacOS is insanely well optimised especially with the new M1 chips. I recently got rid of my windows computer and went back to MacOS. No regrets whatsoever.

 

[Ysterperd]

If more than one display is your thing, the new Mac’s won’t work besides the Mac mini. However, MacOS is insanely well optimised especially with the new M1 chips. I recently got rid of my windows computer and went back to MacOS. No regrets whatsoever.

This is what I've heard and one of the main reasons I'm considering the switch. I guess I can use the MacBook's monitor for a second monitor until Apple implements multiple monitors. Thanks for your input!

 

[JollyJamma]

This is what I've heard and one of the main reasons I'm considering the switch. I guess I can use the MacBook's monitor for a second monitor until Apple implements multiple monitors. Thanks for your input!

Giving your needs, I’d also get the Mac M1.

Yes, people hate on Apple but I realllly like the idea of the M1 chip.

I have an Asus TUF 15.6” gaming laptop and I hate it. I’ve also stopped gaming on my desktop and moved to Linux.

I think my next PC will be a MacBook M1 / M2 etc

 

[mikewazar]

Have returned my M1 Pro until Apple addresses this SSD wear issue & the 16GB/512GB models are a bit more accessible here

 

[mikewazar]

Have returned my M1 Pro until Apple addresses this SSD wear issue & the 16GB/512GB models are a bit more accessible here

Just an update, I have my 16GB now and watched

Seems to have fixed the issue for me in my case. I don't see this being a problem long term, to be honest.

 

[mikewazar]

Just an update, I have my 16GB now and watched

Seems to have fixed the issue for me in my case. I don't see this being a problem long term, to be honest.

Just an update to this, Apple seems to have silently fixed the high swapping in a recent macOS update. M1 continues to reign supreme.