PC user has questions on the M1 MBP

[aevan]

I guess in short I don't get why people buy Apple products to do something you can probably do as well, or better, on a cheaper Windows device.

In my case, it’s because I don’t think you can do the things I do just as well on a Windows device. From the awesome 3rd party apps I just can’t find on Windows, to the design of the OS itself - it just works better for me. Not to mention the integration of other Apple devices and the hardware quality.

What you probably wanted to ask is “why buy a premium device when a cheaper one will run just as well” - because premium Windows laptops cost just as much as Macs. And the answer there is that some people want premium devices and can afford them, also people buy laptops to last them a long time so it’s worth it, etc.

 

[eddie_ducking]

I have OneDrive for my storage and it gets me office 365 as part of it. Forgive the ignorant question but does that give me free copies of the MacOS version of Office?

Yes!

Probably! .... most versions of 365 do come with desktop copies of Word/Excel/PowerPoint, but the Business Basic package only comes with the Web and Mobile versions (no desktop versions)

 

[James_C]

Well I pulled the trigger.

Congratulations - excellent choice. I don't think you will regret it.

I bought the exact same machine at launch and have not been disappointed. I use it at work in PC based office. All of the Mac Office 365 Apps work seamlessly sharing files with other PC users. I also have Parallels Installed and use it run Windows 11 for Arm. I also managed to use a Windows Pro licence to register Windows for Arm, so that Windows for Arm can connect to the Windows Server in the Office. I only use it to run SAGE accounting software and for that it works fine. By the end of the year I will be able to ditch Windows completely as I am currently leading a project to implement a Cloud based ERP system, Acumatica to replace SAGE.

 

[aevan]

Probably! .... most versions of 365 do come with desktop copies of Word/Excel/PowerPoint, but the Business Basic package only comes with the Web and Mobile versions (no desktop versions)

I have the 365 that comes with OneDrive like @iAdamator and it comes with desktop apps that work on both Mac and PC.

 

[eddie_ducking]

I have the 365 that comes with OneDrive like @iAdamator and it comes with desktop apps that work on both Mac and PC.

I also have OneDrive with 365 (though technically Microsoft 365 that includes OneDrive) and I don't have desktop apps. Neither of us know which flavour of 365 @iAdamator has, you're probably right about it including desktop apps, but it's not 100% guaranteed.

 

[aevan]

I also have OneDrive with 365 (though technically Microsoft 365 that includes OneDrive) and I don't have desktop apps. Neither of us know which flavour of 365 @iAdamator has, you're probably right about it including desktop apps, but it's not 100% guaranteed.

Makes sense, sorry, didn't know there were so many variants.

 

[iAdamator]

I also have OneDrive with 365 (though technically Microsoft 365 that includes OneDrive) and I don't have desktop apps. Neither of us know which flavour of 365 @iAdamator has, you're probably right about it including desktop apps, but it's not 100% guaranteed.

I actually don’t know exactly what version I have. I get it from a work discount. The main thing we get it for Is OneDrive. We have the 1Tb Option. I do have the desktop apps for Office. But they are kind of a bonus, not the primary thing we paid for. We actually had the full version of Office before we got OneDrive and gained access to the Office 365 version. It is a bit confusing.

 

[polyphenol]

I actually don’t know exactly what version I have. I get it from a work discount. The main thing we get it for Is OneDrive. We have the 1Tb Option. I do have the desktop apps for Office. But they are kind of a bonus, not the primary thing we paid for. We actually had the full version of Office before we got OneDrive and gained access to the Office 365 version. It is a bit confusing.

The important aspect is, I suggest, that if you get Office 365, then you can choose to use the Mac version or the Windows version. Further, at leasdt for my version, I can install it on several machines of either flavour - currently three laptop/desktops, one iPad and one iPhone.

 

[DarthVader!]

Makes sense, sorry, didn't know there were so many variants.

I actually don’t know exactly what version

Its less about versions and/or variants and how you have your computer set up. When I installed excel, and word on my M1, I opted not to install OneDrive. What Excel and Word can do, is read the files from my cloud storage on onedrive.com. I don't think this configuration is easily achievable on a windows machine as onedrive comes installed in windows 10 and 11.

 

[iAdamator]

Its less about versions and/or variants and how you have your computer set up. When I installed excel, and word on my M1, I opted not to install OneDrive. What Excel and Word can do, is read the files from my cloud storage on onedrive.com. I don't think this configuration is easily achievable on a windows machine as onedrive comes installed in windows 10 and 11.

I installed Excel and Word on my M1 Mac yesterday. I installed OneDrive too but when I went to launch it asked for Rosetta so I cancelled out of it. However Word and Excel could still access my office files from OneDrive. Now I know why. I may not even bother using OneDrive on my Mac. May not need to. I can access the office files already!

 

[chengengaun]

Yes, I think the Office apps can edit files in OneDrive and SharePoint directly, and it will show up in the Recents list of the apps, indicate who last edited the files, etc. One can also look for the file in OneDrive/SharePoint/Teams using a browser, then open the file in Office apps.

 

[bluespark]

I agree. I'll even go as far as to say I really have never been able to even LIKE a notebook computer until the M1 MacBook Air came out. Every Windows and Mac notebook I've ever owned has ultimately frustrated me due to either speed, heat, noise, battery life, or a mixture of those things. M1 chips have solved all those problems while still remaining relatively slim and sleek. I've never been a fan of the wedge design of the MacBook Air, as I prefer a more symmetrical design to my devices, so the new MBP design is just the cherry on top for me.

I agree. I've been using the M1 MBP 16" for a week now, and it's the first notebook I've ever used that feels like it's not compromising in any way. I love it.

 

[DarthVader!]

I agree. I've been using the M1 MBP 16" for a week now, and it's the first notebook I've ever used that feels like it's not compromising in any way. I love it.

Hardware and operating system wise, I completely agree. I've never had a laptop that felt so well made, solid (doesn't feel like a piece of fine china to baby), beautifully designed, fast and long battery life. The operating system's UI and UIX is astoundingly consistent, I'm so used to windows and its consistency (or lack of).

It all boils down to, does the ARM Mac run the software you want and need? If the answer isn't a resounding yes, it may not be the right machine for you

 

[bluespark]

Hardware and operating system wise, I completely agree. I've never had a laptop that felt so well made, solid (doesn't feel like a piece of fine china to baby), beautifully designed, fast and long battery life. The operating system's UI and UIX is astoundingly consistent, I'm so used to windows and its consistency (or lack of).

It all boils down to, does the ARM Mac run the software you want and need? If the answer isn't a resounding yes, it may not be the right machine for you

Very much agreed -- I'm all about finding the right tool for the job. Nevertheless, my experience has been good on this front as well. With some apps, I had to swap what I had out for the "Apple silicon" version, and Rosetta has seamlessly handled the others that I needed. The one I was most worried about was VMWare Horizon, which I use to connect to my office system and which hasn't yet been updated, but it works just fine with Rosetta. Also, I'm hoping the popularity of Apple's M-series offerings will drive a quick transition to Apple silicon versions of most software.

 

[DarthVader!]

I've been mostly quiet in this forum since posting this thread. A couple of things have occurred.

First, I returned the 16" MBP, which broke my heart. It was most certainly the best laptop I have owned, the design, build quality user experience.

Darth, you ask - why did you return it? A couple of reasons but mostly, the size. The screen was gorgeous but I don't need a desktop replacement. I have a desktop. I was planning on using this on the go.

After I returned it, I reset my analysis and compared/contrasted 14" laptops, both PC and the MBP. No PC offered all of what the MBP provided, the Razer came close, but was more expensive then the MBP and fan noise was a major downside of that gaming laptop. I really couldn't justify spending more money, on a laptop that had less battery, less performance unplugged, was significantly louder and hotter.

I bided my time, keeping an eye on local retailers, amazon, and apple, and I finally scored the 14". Its just like the 16" in many ways but better. I was worried the smaller display would be an issue with eye fatigue but so far that's not the case. Performance is excellent, both plugged in and on the battery, something that no PC laptop can say. It looks and feels solid and most importantly its so much more portable.

 

[jav6454]

I've been mostly quiet in this forum since posting this thread. A couple of things have occurred.

[...]

I bided my time, keeping an eye on local retailers, amazon, and apple, and I finally scored the 14". Its just like the 16" in many ways but better. I was worried the smaller display would be an issue with eye fatigue but so far that's not the case. Performance is excellent, both plugged in and on the battery, something that no PC laptop can say. It looks and feels solid and most importantly its so much more portable.

Quick question, why not the 13" MBP? Or do you need the M1 Pro's capabilities?

 

[DarthVader!]

Quick question, why not the 13" MBP? Or do you need the M1 Pro's capabilities?

Yeah, I don't need the extra processing power in the 14 given my needs, but my decision matrix wasn't solely on computing power. Some of my reasons were as follows:

• The 13" came in either 256g or 512gb, I bought stock so those were my choices.
• Touchbar instead of F-keys - I needed physical keys
• Card reader in the 14" not the 13"
• Magsafe inclusion in the 14"
• Better camera in the 14" I do a lot of zoom calls, so this is a big plus
• Mini-LED with promotion in the 14" I thought that technology was pretty cool and I figured if I'm spending a lot of money why not get that.
• Most importantly, I was using a 15" laptop previously and a step down to the 13" was too much. I thought the 14" was probably a good compromise

 

[jav6454]

Yeah, I don't need the extra processing power in the 14 given my needs, but my decision matrix wasn't solely on computing power. Some of my reasons were as follows:

• The 13" came in either 256g or 512gb, I bought stock so those were my choices.
• Touchbar instead of F-keys - I needed physical keys
• Card reader in the 14" not the 13"
• Magsafe inclusion in the 14"
• Better camera in the 14" I do a lot of zoom calls, so this is a big plus
• Mini-LED with promotion in the 14" I thought that technology was pretty cool and I figured if I'm spending a lot of money why not get that.
• Most importantly, I was using a 15" laptop previously and a step down to the 13" was too much. I thought the 14" was probably a good compromise

Well, I can see several features needed that the 13" lacks. Makes sense. The only one I'd argue is the "better" camera.

 

[DarthVader!]

The only one I'd argue is the "better" camera.

Remember, you need to compare the older M1 13" model because that's all there was when I was making my decision.

The 13" had a 720p camera, where as the the 14" uses a 1080p camera