Flip Flopping between macOS and Windows

[transmaster]

The CPU makers seem to be requiring faster MB changes these days.

This is a fact of life with AMD. It has slowed down as of late with the Ryzen CPU but if you assemble your own is really tricky even with the assembly help sites to get something that works properly. The biggest PIA is RAM. The best thing to do there is find out what others are building on specialized forums for this and put together exactly what they are building

 

[StellarVixen]

So…anyone see anything that helps them choose definitively Mac or Windows?

I didn’t…although it may make it easier to give up my iPad Pro in favor of a Surface when the time comes to do so reasonably (Probably when the SP10 comes out, I would look at an 8)…

Since I used to game a lot for the past 2 months, I’ve decided to also do work on Windoze, just so that I don’t jump from one OS to another.

So far so good. Windows 11 taskbar can be buggy sometimes. I heard they rewrote it from scratch, which means there’s a lot of work to do until it reaches the functionality of the old taskbar.

I liked search highlights images in search box, then Microsoft for some reason decided to put damn Bing button there that I couldn’t remove. So I removed search box altogether. I know you are trying to promote Bing chatbot, but please don’t push it in my face like that, trust me it’s counterproductive (at least in my case)

Oh yes, to say that command line has improved would be an understatement (compared to Windows 7, that was the last time I tried to use command line on Windows).

 

[The point and shoot pro]

Since I used to game a lot for the past 2 months, I’ve decided to also do work on Windoze, just so that I don’t jump from one OS to another.

So far so good. Windows 11 taskbar can be buggy sometimes. I heard they rewrote it from scratch, which means there’s a lot of work to do until it reaches the functionality of the old taskbar.

I liked search highlights images in search box, then Microsoft for some reason decided to put damn Bing button there that I couldn’t remove. So I removed search box altogether. I know you are trying to promote Bing chatbot, but please don’t push it in my face like that, trust me it’s counterproductive (at least in my case)

Oh yes, to say that command line has improved would be an understatement (compared to Windows 7, that was the last time I tried to use command line on Windows).

I did the same thing and removed search altogether. frig that!

 

[LeeW]

Couldnt get the mini-itx version but I really like this one so a new PC build incoming tomorrow.

 

[TheOtherAndy]

Speaking of cases, I have been wanting a big old Chieftec Dragon lately. Something big, loud and flashy (without being in the shape of a transformer or any of the dumber designs of early 2000s computer cases).

Not for any sort of retro PC, just to make my current system more fun.

Which, over the past week or so has been my little Ryzen 5 2400g build. Now apparently stable as a rock on Ubuntu 22.04 thanks to being stuck on kernel 5.whatevs and a bios update and settings change. Kernel 6+ brings it back to constant crashes, so that's a bridge I'll need to cross at some point I guess.

The Mini has been hanging off the back of my monitor totally unused. While I shouldn't care and should continue to just not touch it and be happy I haven't been flip-flopping, I can't get over the sunk-cost thing. "I bought the Mac Mini, so I should use it for something!" is the totally reasonable sounding line repeating in my head. But, aside from basic web browsing it's not a particularly good machine for anything.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Speaking of cases, I have been wanting a big old Chieftec Dragon lately. Something big, loud and flashy (without being in the shape of a transformer or any of the dumber designs of early 2000s computer cases).
View attachment 2225911

Not for any sort of retro PC, just to make my current system more fun.

Which, over the past week or so has been my little Ryzen 5 2400g build. Now apparently stable as a rock on Ubuntu 22.04 thanks to being stuck on kernel 5.whatevs and a bios update and settings change. Kernel 6+ brings it back to constant crashes, so that's a bridge I'll need to cross at some point I guess.

The Mini has been hanging off the back of my monitor totally unused. While I shouldn't care and should continue to just not touch it and be happy I haven't been flip-flopping, I can't get over the sunk-cost thing. "I bought the Mac Mini, so I should use it for something!" is the totally reasonable sounding line repeating in my head. But, aside from basic web browsing it's not a particularly good machine for anything.

I loved this time in cases. So many awesome colors.

 

[LeeW]

I have to do it. Apple fanboy in reverse. Sure, it's not apples vs apples but as always, more for the money, more powerful overall, and every single component is upgradeable at any time. Sure for £337 more the Mac Mini is smaller, more power efficient and can easily be all you need in a system but still . Would have been cheaper if I just put 16GB of ram in it but look Apple the price difference between 16GB and 32GB is so little it makes it worth just putting more in.

My M2 Mac Mini:

10 Core CPU
16 Core GPU
16GB RAM
512GB NVMe

£1,399

My Windows PC build tomorrow:

Fractal Design North Charcoal Black
MSI Pro ATX Motherboard wifi 6E etc..
I5-13700 - 10 Core, 6P/4E
32GB RAM
RTX-3060 12GB
750W NZXT PSU
WD 1TB NVMe
Hyper 212 CPU Cooler
3x fans
Cheap Windows 11 licence (don't need it but included it in cost for the Apple moaners)

£1,062

 

[The_Interloper]

But, aside from basic web browsing it's not a particularly good machine for anything

Interesting - why do you say that? Genuine question.

 

[The_Interloper]

@LeeW - that's a great build in a stunning case. Good value, too.

 

[TheOtherAndy]

Interesting - why do you say that? Genuine question.

Mostly because it's a base model. 8gb/256gb. SSD space isn't a problem, but 8gb of RAM isn't really enough these days. Or, at least, I would get too in my own head about having only 8gb if I tried using the Mini for actual work.

There's also the walled garden thing, where I wouldn't be able to use iCloud, iTunes and whatever we call Apple's work suite on my other devices. No way I'm getting to a Apple-only world.

 

[LiE_]

Still really happy with my desktop, it's whisper quiet and performs really well. I'm still using my Pixel 5 which hopefully will be replaced by a Pixel 8, assuming Google don't botch it.

Here's how it looks, can't see it changing anytime soon. The only potential change may come if this job prospect comes off, I'll have a locked down corporate laptop that I'll need to use for my day job.

 

[maflynn]

Still really happy with my desktop, it's whisper quiet and performs really well.

Nice, I'm not quite flip/flopping but I realized this week my intel machine is only PCIe gen 3, and if I want to a 40 series RTX card, I really ought to be on a gen 4.

I updated my Building a new desktop thread with the details. I'll be heading to Microcenter for a little shopping excursion today for ram. I'll wait for mid august to buy the new GPU first to give nvidia/retailers time to further discount the RTX cards, and secondly its going to be a tax free weekend coming up in August, so I may as well save a little money.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Nice, I'm not quite flip/flopping but I realized this week my intel machine is only PCIe gen 3, and if I want to a 40 series RTX card, I really ought to be on a gen 4.

I updated my Building a new desktop thread with the details. I'll be heading to Microcenter for a little shopping excursion today for ram. I'll wait for mid august to buy the new GPU first to give nvidia/retailers time to further discount the RTX cards, and secondly its going to be a tax free weekend coming up in August, so I may as well save a little money.

Man I am so jealous of your proximity to a Microcenter! Enjoy those sweet, sweet savings!

 

[maflynn]

Man I am so jealous of your proximity to a Microcenter! Enjoy those sweet, sweet savings!

Its great but at the moment, its not easy to get too. I live next to East Boston and the DPW has shut down the Sumner tunnel - meaning 1/3 of the access into boston is cut off. This is a holiday weekend, so the the tunnel is open so I finally can get there. When the tunnel is closed, I'm looking at an hour in traffic - if I'm lucky. I've heard 2 hours is not atypical.

But normally, its great and I'm happy they've been able to keep going, one of the few computer stores that is still around.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Its great but at the moment, its not easy to get too. I live next to East Boston and the DPW has shut down the Sumner tunnel - meaning 1/3 of the access into boston is cut off. This is a holiday weekend, so the the tunnel is open so I finally can get there. When the tunnel is closed, I'm looking at an hour in traffic - if I'm lucky. I've heard 2 hours is not atypical.

But normally, its great and I'm happy they've been able to keep going, one of the few computer stores that is still around.

That right there is why I live in a state without a microcenter. I still have access to a city with around 100k people and a Best Buy, Sam's Club, etc., but traffic for me is having to wait an extra cycle at a red light.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Still really happy with my desktop, it's whisper quiet and performs really well. I'm still using my Pixel 5 which hopefully will be replaced by a Pixel 8, assuming Google don't botch it.

Here's how it looks, can't see it changing anytime soon. The only potential change may come if this job prospect comes off, I'll have a locked down corporate laptop that I'll need to use for my day job.

View attachment 2226255

Man that looks so clean! Great setup! I love the white motif.

 

[TheOtherAndy]

Still really happy with my desktop, it's whisper quiet and performs really well. I'm still using my Pixel 5 which hopefully will be replaced by a Pixel 8, assuming Google don't botch it.

Here's how it looks, can't see it changing anytime soon. The only potential change may come if this job prospect comes off, I'll have a locked down corporate laptop that I'll need to use for my day job.

View attachment 2226255

Fantastic!

 

[circatee]

With me moving heavily into Apple lately, I have noticed that the LEDs on my Windows gaming PC (that I hardly use now - just no real time for it), is getting on my nerves.

Honestly, what is the point of fancy LED colour lights and all that? Yep, might have to swap them out soon...

 

[LiE_]

With me moving heavily into Apple lately, I have noticed that the LEDs on my Windows gaming PC (that I hardly use now - just no real time for it), is getting on my nerves.

Honestly, what is the point of fancy LED colour lights and all that? Yep, might have to swap them out soon...

Fun mostly.

 

[circatee]

Those using a Windows PC, are you upgrading to Windows 11?
I just booted up my Windows gaming PC, with Windows 10. All updates have been completed, alas, no option to upgrade to Windows 11.

Weird...(and as per the compatibility tool, my PC is compatible).

 

[LeeW]

Honestly, what is the point of fancy LED colour lights and all that? Yep, might have to swap them out soon...

Some like heavy lighting others subtle, I guess if you have it on your desk it can be quite nice. But I hear you. I just completed a new PC build today and did no lighting at all. But then I didn't feel the case suited any.

 

[bobcomer]

Those using a Windows PC, are you upgrading to Windows 11?

It depends on the PC does, but most likely, yes, I'd upgrade to 11.

Weird...(and as per the compatibility tool, my PC is compatible).

It'll be offered eventually, but you can force the issue if it's really compatible.

Download Windows 11

www.microsoft.com

 

[eltoslightfoot]

With me moving heavily into Apple lately, I have noticed that the LEDs on my Windows gaming PC (that I hardly use now - just no real time for it), is getting on my nerves.

Honestly, what is the point of fancy LED colour lights and all that? Yep, might have to swap them out soon...

I like mine...no problem with shinies.

If anything, it's Apple that has gotten a bit stale of late with design aesthetic. I have had a whole career since getting my first aluminum Macbook...

 

[LeeW]

Finished my new build yesterday. Very pleased with it overall. The case is superb, with lots of nice little details. Quite a classy look vs the usual type of case. I was holding out for mini-itx version of the case but in the end, I am glad I went for this one.

 

[maflynn]

Finished my new build yesterday

Congrats and enjoy.