Macbook for banking?

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be starting FT next summer in banking. I'll have a Windows based desktop at home, but will need a laptop for when I travel. Does anyone know if its possible to use a Macbook to log-in via VPN / Citrix? Please only respond if you have first-hand experience (i.e. you interned this summer and actually saw bankers use a macbook, etc.).

I'm thinking about buying a Macbook Pro in the near future, but won't commit unless I'll be able to use it when I'm on the road.

 

If you plan on dual booting to a Windows OS from the Macbook then yes, this is a feasible idea. If you plan on using OSX (which is a fine OS for individuals) then I'll resist the urge to mock your knowledge of computers and just let you know straight up: no, this is not a good idea.

 

Two things:

1.) Your bank will give you a laptop, so this is irrelevant. 2.) I love my Mac. I use it every day, and I'm posting from it right now. That said - it is terrible for work. MS Office on Mac is terrible. No keyboard shortcuts, clunky interface. PowerPoint formats sometimes don't transfer exactly right. Plus most VPN clients don't work on OS X. If you want to get Excel/PPT work done, you'll need to dual boot Windows.

- Capt K - "Prestige is like a powerful magnet that warps even your beliefs about what you enjoy. If you want to make ambitious people waste their time on errands, bait the hook with prestige." - Paul Graham
 
CaptK:
Two things:

1.) Your bank will give you a laptop, so this is irrelevant. 2.) I love my Mac. I use it every day, and I'm posting from it right now. That said - it is terrible for work. MS Office on Mac is terrible. No keyboard shortcuts, clunky interface. PowerPoint formats sometimes don't transfer exactly right. Plus most VPN clients don't work on OS X. If you want to get Excel/PPT work done, you'll need to dual boot Windows.

How certain are you that banks give laptops? Maybe it's because I was at a regional office, but at the BB that I interned at, everyone used their own laptops and logged in remotely. That might just be due to personal preference though.

 

Lenovo (IBM) Thinkpad is the standard thing to use at work - at least in my experience. If you've got the spare $$$ get a macbook pro to use outside the office (because it's way better), but excel and other such things don't work as well on mac.

In a pinch - get an thinkpad (or get your bank/office to buy you one) and then get an ipad. With the ipad you can still enjoy the mac way of life / do most personal use things (especially if u get a keyboard), without paying 2G's for yet another huge and heavy laptop.

The new macbook air could be another viable option for a second computer. It's so small you could carry that and a small thinkpad (X sereis, etc) and it would be similar to carrying one regular sized thinkpad (like a T500 which is the one i have - it's powerful but heavy as shit).

I go with the t500 (company) and an ipad (personal). It's not ideal, but I can easily carry both in a normal sized briefcase and without throwing out my back every time i walk through an airport.

 

Dude, go install Linux. Their platfom is way more stable than Mac's OS and Windows. One thing people don't tell or just don't know is that when certain programs like Flash for example are installed on the computer, they actully cause certain programs to crash while working. I would have rather gone, gotten Linux for free, installed it on my old PC laptop than spending 2 grand on a Macbook. Just get Linux and invest the 2 grand.

 

You should buy a macbook, because they are good computers. You should not use a macbook for work, because they suck for work and your bank will give you a laptop. You stated that you will have a Windows desktop at home, so could VPN in with that. You would then presumably only be using a laptop when you travel. If you are travelling for work, you will be provided with a laptop. If you are referring to personal travel, firstly, that isn't happening, and secondly, you should not be worried about connecting by VPN while you're on vacation.

 

I had one while interning.

Firstly, Macs are shit, don't get one, even just for fun.

Anyway, Citrix worked. So did the Java remote access. However, there were serious problems with the keyboard - I had to buy an external windows keyboard because the slightly different format just completely screwed up the keys (ie. Shift, ctrl, alt) on remote access. I managed to get Shift working through Java, but still major problems with basic short cuts like ctrl c

 

I've logged in remotely with a friend's mac book several times, its fine but fuckin annoying because you cant right click, the F keys are annoying because you need to hit the function key, etc... its in general just fuckin clumsy. If you want to be non-graphics/media professional get a fucking PC, or if you're one of those homos who is dying for Steve Jobs to massage your prostate with his meat stick, then buy a PC laptop for work related stuff and a Mac Book to wack off to gay porn. Also, almost all banks have loaner laptops for traveling.

FYI... when I spent 4 days on a ski trip and had to log into work from my friends mac book, when I got back to work it took some getting used to back on a normal keyboard again. Just an FYI... I can't imagine it not impacting your speed and efficinecy, having to hop back and forth from PC to Mac.

 

You will not be able to use Mac. The XLS keyboard shortcuts do not translate to their machines, which make them useless for banking. All you need is a cheap laptop where you can log-in to your desktop machine via Java. Macbook Pro has a lot of firepower and software that you do not need. Just get a basic machine that can handle MS Office and surfing the net. Plenty of laptops like this are available on Amazon for $6-800.

 

I just started running Windows Excel on a macbook air with Parallels thanks to this forum. To those of you who have been running this setup for a while and have keyboard customizations dialed in, would you mind sharing those?

I've been using the old excel shortcuts forever so little things like not having the alt button beside the spacebar are throwing me off. Thanks in advance for sending over any keyboard customizations you made in Parallels Desktop > Preferences.

 

I am still a student but here are my two-cents: Any kind of key shortcuts exist on both windows and mac excel that I have ever need. That said, I am not a professional (yet hopefully!). It just means that you have to memorize two different sets of shortcuts.

Anyone tried running parallels? I would image that that works? You can turn on the F keys and I would assume all would be fine?

 

Depending on how you use it (since it is at home, perhaps it is not for work):

Windows: Any MS Office Products, Programming, Efficiency without a mouse

Mac: Anything else. Mac is great for music, browsing, photos, and general email use in the web browser.

Or set up parallels or boot camp on your mac, although Mac's are extremely expensive when it comes to performance per dollar, so it could be unnecessary. I have a Lenovo ThinkPad for on the go and work purposes and then a Mac desktop for at home general use.

 

Haha, this is largely true. If you like using the stupid mouse to do everything, Mac is for you. If you are proficient in Excel, Mac is an absolute nightmare. A) Shortcut keys on Mac are nearly useless. B) Navigating the "palette" is one of the most time wasting, frustrating things you can do when you're used to flying through menial tasks.

Basically, you could probably get by with Mac. However, if you actually want to finish your shit in a timely manner, it's the most tedious activity ever. Substance > style IMO

Edit: I actually had an Excel class in a Mac lab once a week, so I figured out some of the "shortcuts", but the most efficient ones (read: PC) are just not there I think.

People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for freedom of thought which they seldom use.
 
SHORTmyCDO:

your bank should provide a laptop for when you work remotely so this should not be an issue. When I started in banking a few years ago,I purchased a windows laptop and never once used it once for work.

this. even interns get laptops. if you buy a macbook, it will be for personal use (you probably won't even be able to use it at work) so don't worry about excel.
 

You're not using it for work, ever. No bank would allow that. Get whatever you want. You'll get a work laptop when you start.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

There really isn't a major difference. PC will make you a lot more efficient and at a better price. You can make it work with a MAC if you're clever enough and willing to put in some extra time. There really isn't ever a reason to pay extra for a Mac except for preftige and better screen.

Both OS are horrible, 8.1 has been a disaster and Mavericks is designed for retards.

 

NO. NO. NO.

Don't get a macbook. I'm assuming you're trying to remote in from home when you have 1-2 hours of work during the weekend, not for traveling purposes (like some mentioned above). Yes, you can request a laptop when you're traveling. Doing work remotely is already slow on a PC, so I would think running bootcamp and then remoting in will slow it down even more, though I've never tried. Just get a PC now and start getting used to playing around in excel. You can buy a cheap and decent one for ~$300 during the holidays. You don't want to be "THAT" guy who has no idea how to use a PC because he's been using a macbook his entire year. Save the embarrassment and go purchase a cheap laptop. If anything, you can keep your macbook for personal use and have a laptop on the side for whenever you have work, but I say that's just a waste of money.

 
Plastic Cup Boys:

NO. NO. NO.

Don't get a macbook. I'm assuming you're trying to remote in from home when you have 1-2 hours of work during the weekend, not for traveling purposes (like some mentioned above). Yes, you can request a laptop when you're traveling. Doing work remotely is already slow on a PC, so I would think running bootcamp and then remoting in will slow it down even more, though I've never tried. Just get a PC now and start getting used to playing around in excel. You can buy a cheap and decent one for ~$300 during the holidays. You don't want to be "THAT" guy who has no idea how to use a PC because he's been using a macbook his entire year. Save the embarrassment and go purchase a cheap laptop. If anything, you can keep your macbook for personal use and have a laptop on the side for whenever you have work, but I say that's just a waste of money.

... What? 1. A bank will issue you a laptop during training which you will be using while traveling or at home during weekends. You are never to use a personal laptop to work with a company's excel shells. 2. Have you worked in a bank? Trust me just because you use a MBP for personal use you will be perfectly capable of memorizing excel shortcuts as the 4 hours of personal MBP use on a weekend is not going to trump the 50 or so hours you spend in an office tinkering with models. Calling a person that uses a MBP for personal use "that guy" just makes you sounds clueless. 3. The new specifications on the MBP and even the prior generations of MBP were perfectly capable of running bootcamp no problems (The delay in remote access -- even though you would not use a personal computer to remote access an office computer -- would be hindered by internet connection most likely). I recall running a demanding device on AutoCAD 3D while running bootcamp on a prior generation of macbook air with only slight delay.

Your last sentence just makes you sound like a Windows fanboy. People are asking for credible information from people currently in the industry and really don't need misinformation from the original topic you misunderstood from the industry experience you don't have. I think the current question for anyone who has experience is can a MBP use bootcamp and an external USB keyboard to use windows based excel shortcuts?

 
LBJ's hair:

I don't understand why people are recommending OP dual-boot the Mac. Not like you're going to be dicking around on Excel models with your personal computer, and Office is literally the only reason I can think of for installing Windows.

Agree w/this. No reason to run parallels. Windows blows on Macs and you aren't going to be working remotely on a Macbook.

 

i'd advise you against it, just for the sole fact that you will use a PC at work. if you want to have some apple products anyway, go get an iphone and an ipad.

I'm talking about liquid. Rich enough to have your own jet. Rich enough not to waste time. Fifty, a hundred million dollars, buddy. A player. Or nothing. See my Blog & AMA
 

As always, it depends on what you think you'll be using it for in school. I've used one (borrowed a friend's) and liked it a lot - very sleek, smooth, etc. It's easy these days to install Windows on one. For me, though, I just don't like the keyboard layout and prefer to get a better deal on a PC, especially because I like swapping parts out. I mean it really just comes down to you going to a store, trying different models, and seeing what you think is best for yourself, though.

 

I think Air is better if you're in school. Easier to carry around for classes. If you want to stay with windows, check out Sony Vaio Z series. A bit pricey, but it's definitely one of the top PCs out there.

 

If you have around $1k to spend on a laptop, I genuinely believe the Macbook Air is the best one on the market. It is the best combination of performance, portability, endurance and design. Yes there are many competing "ultrabooks" out there but the reason none of them has seen fantastic success is they simply aren't as good.

Note that Excel for Mac is terrible, but you can Boot Camp into Windows extremely easily (or Paralllels is even easier). The only argument against buying a Mac computer nowadays is the price, but all ultrabooks are priced around the same so even that argument goes out of the window.

When configuring your computer I'd recommend a few things: - You cannot upgrade anything in the future, so splash out a bit extra to future-proof your laptop. 4GB of RAM comes as standard nowadays but upgrading to 8GB for $100 is decent if you use a lot of applications at once

  • 128gb of flash drive space is the minimum really, considering the OS takes up about 10GB. You will soon be able to buy an SD drive called 'Nifty' (search it on KickStarter) which looks fantastic and will add a lot of storage expansion space

  • If you're going for a 13" MBA, get an i7 processor. It will be worth it

The model I recommend is as follows: MBA 11" 2.0 GHz i7 processor (upgrade) 8GB RAM (upgrade) 128gb flash storage Total cost - $1,349

If you're willing to wait a few months, you might be able to pick up a refurb version for a 20% discount. Make sure it is a 2012 model though so you get the large benefits of the Ivy Bridge processors.

Asatar:
If you have around $1k to spend on a laptop, I genuinely believe the Macbook Air is the best one on the market. It is the best combination of performance, portability, endurance and design. Yes there are many competing "ultrabooks" out there but the reason none of them has seen fantastic success is they simply aren't as good.

Note that Excel for Mac is terrible, but you can Boot Camp into Windows extremely easily (or Paralllels is even easier). The only argument against buying a Mac computer nowadays is the price, but all ultrabooks are priced around the same so even that argument goes out of the window.

When configuring your computer I'd recommend a few things: - You cannot upgrade anything in the future, so splash out a bit extra to future-proof your laptop. 4GB of RAM comes as standard nowadays but upgrading to 8GB for $100 is decent if you use a lot of applications at once

  • 128gb of flash drive space is the minimum really, considering the OS takes up about 10GB. You will soon be able to buy an SD drive called 'Nifty' (search it on KickStarter) which looks fantastic and will add a lot of storage expansion space

  • If you're going for a 13" MBA, get an i7 processor. It will be worth it

The model I recommend is as follows: MBA 11" 2.0 GHz i7 processor (upgrade) 8GB RAM (upgrade) 128gb flash storage Total cost - $1,349

If you're willing to wait a few months, you might be able to pick up a refurb version for a 20% discount. Make sure it is a 2012 model though so you get the large benefits of the Ivy Bridge processors.

but couldn't i get a 13" macbook pro for lower price with a better processor and larger hard drive for less?

 

I bought a late 2008 air and really liked it, size was good and relatively good processing power (at the time). The only main problem is that it tended to overheat often which results in the processor being throttled back slowing everything done. Would hope they've fixed this issue, but interested to hear if anyone with a new model notices the heat.

also if anyone has comments on 11" vs. 13" would be interested

 
geofinance:
I bought a late 2008 air and really liked it, size was good and relatively good processing power (at the time). The only main problem is that it tended to overheat often which results in the processor being throttled back slowing everything done. Would hope they've fixed this issue, but interested to hear if anyone with a new model notices the heat.

also if anyone has comments on 11" vs. 13" would be interested

how long did it last you? if i'm gonna drop 1 grand on laptop i want it to be able to use for more than 2 or 3 years

 

128 GB of hard drive space is a fail especially if you want to put Windows on it. There's one USB port. The ones I've dealt with had only 2 GB of RAM which is horrendous. Needless to say I find them to be severely underpowered. Of course Macs are insanely overpriced for the hardware and Airs are even worse than usual. Granted, I find they have the highest quality control for laptops, but that's saying a lot more about the other laptop manufacturers than Apple. Another plus is that Macs are perfect if you don't know anything about computers because you have an actual storefront to go to. The solid state hard drive is fast as hell, which is perfect for when you install Windows because you realize that OS X is a useless operating system. [When that day comes, don't be an idiot. Use Boot Camp.]. But $1k+ for a computer with a 1.7ghz processor and a 120gb hard drive is almost criminal. Another $100 will get you a MacBook Pro which, while still a rip-off by most standards, is a way better value and is lighter in weight than basically every other laptop.

 
Cornelius:
get a thinkpad.. seriously bro get a thinkpad.. only get the mac if you're going to be a photographer or videographer or something artistic..

How has the thinkpad been since IBM stopped making the hardware for it. Are Lenovo that good? We don't even get them down this way.

wanderlvst:
The air is so thin that it cuts my stomach if i use it while laying down.

Mine's lying on my lap at the moment. No problems. My wrists sometimes though.


I've had a mac air since about november 2008. It was first gen, so it's had problems with the hinge which cost me $800 to fix, and the battery is now due for a reinstall. Also having problems with the microphone on it, and it couldn't handle photoshop well.

Besides that, it got me through business school and law school quite well, and it was lightweight, petite, and seriously, I still get complements on it years later. I would probably repurchase get one for my next laptop again, or a Samsung series 9.

I won't settle for anything less than a ultrabook with a flash drive now after having the mac, because I hate restarting my computer and downtime, and I like how light it is.

If you do end up getting one, make sure it has the samsung hardrive, and not the toshiba. Rumour is they shipped with both, and the samsung runs twice as fast.

 
Aimez:
Cornelius:
get a thinkpad.. seriously bro get a thinkpad.. only get the mac if you're going to be a photographer or videographer or something artistic..

How has the thinkpad been since IBM stopped making the hardware for it. Are Lenovo that good? We don't even get them down this way.

Lenovo's thinkpads are great for business - running multiple processes/programs. Standard issue at pretty much every consulting firm, investment bank (the one's that issue laptops) and other finance roles. Look you'll realize it when you're having 6-7 internet windows open - scrolling through multiple SEC filings, internet news sites, research shizz while simultaneously running a model in excel, typing up a memo in word and putting together a PPT deck (multiple files of each program are open). You'll need the horsepower.

Main thing is this whether you're a student or business professional - this computer will last. You can even download music on this thing, hook it up to 2 LCD monitors, etc. All for a price that's less than the macbooks. Imagine that you're traveling for work or on vacation and you take your laptop with you, you get staffed while on vacay (it f*n happens), and all of a sudden you need to start cranking out presentations and models, you'll be glad you have the thinkpad. Also, average battery life is solid, but definitely shell out for the extended battery.. worth it..

------------ I'm making it up as I go along.
 

I have a 13" MacBook Air. I love it. I've always been opposed to the OS system, but we're at a point now where you can get nearly identical functionality out of Macs and PCs. From a hardware perspective, the MBA is unbeatable. It will not break (I've tried)! I think the MBA is the future of laptop computers, and eventually, the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air will become the same product (a year and a half from now). My MBA is more capable than the MacBook Pros of just a year ago.

I think the i5 processor is the way to go. If you search around the net, you'll see that the drop in performance between the i5 and i7 is minimal, and the i5's battery will last you 20-30% longer. I run the full Adobe MasterCollection Suite, with no hiccups. Any program loads and is ready to go in less than a second. I had to wait 30 seconds for some of the Adobe programs to load on my 2 year old Windows laptop.

If you wait a few months, I think there will be a newer generation of MBAs coming out with retina displays. However, we've pretty much reached the limit of processing capacity in terms of what processors will give you these days, so if you get the MBA today, you won't be in need of a new laptop for years to come.

 

I've been using mac for personal use for the past 10 years. Pages and Keynote are actually great alternatives to Word and Powerpoint (which are also available on mac). Browsing the internet and trying to get research/emails/non-excel work done on a Mac is actually much faster and more intuitive. 13" Macbook Airs are really light, run really fast for their given specs and are the most aesthetically pleasing laptops out there (ignore the Pros). However, Excel on the Mac sucks big time. All the shortcuts are different, some functions behave differently and Data Analysis isn't built in. Solutions are: Either you partition the hard drive, which sucks because it takes up so much space for just one application, or you run Windows Excel via the Crossover app, which is tricky to do and not always stable (but still feasible for work). Oh, and Apple's attempt at Excel, called Numbers, is not worth ever opening.

'Corruption? Corruption is government intrusion into market efficiencies in the form of regulations. That's Milton Friedman. He got a goddamn Nobel Prize.'
 

Before everyone gets on the boat of shitting on excel for mac. We should be asking just what in the hell you are going to be doing at your new job. Because if you don't have to use excel every hour at your job than it really comes down to personal preference. Forget the "look at how hipster I am I use a mac and work at a start up" image. I take pitches from start ups at least twice a week for funding. I couldn't care less what kind of computer they have. If they have the nicest computer out there but have a shit idea. I tell them to quit wasting my damn time. In other words who gives a fuck what people think of your computer choice. Just build a good product.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

Relax amigo, I trust most people realized that part was a joke.

However you bring up a good point:

I have an iPhone and iPad so am well pulled into the Apple eco system and I like both devices so do not intend to switch. The hand-off / working together features will be nice.

Garageband (on iPad) is a hobby of mine so I am going to enjoy the higher power version on a Mac.

I like the way the Macbook looks and the keyboard/mousepad seem to be superior to any I have encountered on a Windows laptop.

Snow's reaction on everything non-excel being nicer on Mac is a very useful comment and might help tip the scale.

However part of my job will be tracking sales, growth, analysis, slicing/dicing of sales, keeping track of stuff (timelines, budgets, HR). Then there's pitches which will include some tables and graphs. All of this I cannot imagine doing with any other program than excel. So no, I won't be using it every hour (thankfully) but it will be an often used program if only for my unfamiliarity with any alternative.

Even for personal matters right? Budgets, tax shit, student debt amortization, investments, on and on all things I have used excel for. That excel is less convenient on mac is in my view an undeniable fact.

So a better phrasing of my question would be: "I would prefer to get a Macbook for various reasons but am concerned the productivity tools are so much less convenient that it negates the advantages. Who can comment from experience"?

 
Best Response

You're not really in the Apple ecosystem until you have a Macbook to serve as your HQ. The best bang for your buck will come from a Mac, I'd personally recommend the 15" MBP. You can get a custom one from Apple with a 2.8ghz i7 and up to 1TB of flash storage. If having excel is THAT big a deal you can partition that disk, and you wouldn't need more than 200gb to install Windows 8.1 for when you need to use excel. (My MBP has 750gb storage, and I got my first ever notification about low storage after 3 years of use. 2gb left and there was literally no lagging or other problems BC of that).

If you don't want to do that, then you can always build a desktop yourself (for less than $800) that'd be a lean, mean, excel machine.

Other than that, the only Windows laptop I'd ever consider getting is the Yoga 2 with the i7 that can be overclocked to 3.0ghz.

For the kind of cash you drop on a Mac, it's worth it since you'll have it for AT LEAST 4 years. Can't really say the same about native Windows laptops, they'll crap out earlier than that.

 
MBA_Junkie:

I use VMWare fusion (get the home version) and can run windows simultaneously with Mac on my Air.
I use windows only for MS Office but mac programs for every thing else. It works great.

I saw a colleague run something like this but never got around to asking.

Thanks for the heads up, but although I like Windows as an OS, I think Apple hardware just feels better overall in terms of quality.

 

I've been running Mac's for more than 10 years and couldn't imagine going back. I also haven't personally been a heavy excel user (I really don't build models anymore), but the guys in my office who are the heavy excel guys don't seem to mind it. We do run Parallels so I don't know if running it in its native operating environment makes it run exactly like it would in Windows, but when I open it in OS whatever version it is now it seems to work well.

Other than that, the syncing between my iphone and ipad is simply too convenient to ignore and everything else on a Mac just works better.

 

I personally feel that if you trap yourself into any one ecosystem you might as well cut your own balls off because you now have 0 choice as to what you can buy. Kind of like getting married.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

This is tough. I have been using windows forever. I totally agree with you regarding MSDOS also. Remember Tandy and the only actual floppy disks?

Personally, if you have to do excel work and operate in a financial modeling type environment I would stick with windows. Get a thinkpad or something. I have an X61 that I have used reliably for 7 years. You just can't kill that thing. I just got an Mac Book Air and let me say this, for personal use I am 1000% a Apple convert. Like I was a huge hater of Mac. Not any more. I literally MIGHT get an Iphone again (although will most likely stay with Droid).

That being said, I used Windows at work and couldn't imagine being 100% Apple in work and outside.

 

@"MBA_Junkie" hit on the head. I had been an avid Windows user until 2010 and bought a Macbook Pro. The current Macbooks are very slick machines and with VMWare it is the most stable Windows environment that I have experienced. I have Visual Studio, Office 2013, Project 2013 and Windows 10 beta installed. It is a little weird when utilizing advanced features on Office but you can get adjusted fairly quickly. Good luck!!!

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum
 

Like you, I have been a Windows user my entire life and use shortcuts constantly in Excel. Also, IMO the Mac version of Excel just doesn't cut it.

I run Boot Camp with Windows 7 on a 15-inch MBP and couldn't be happier. It has taken some time for me to adjust to the keyboard, but it hasn't been THAT annoying.

If you do go this route, you might need Trackpad++ (cost: $15) to properly configure your trackpad. I found the trackpad to be unusable until I installed Trackpad++ , which allows you to use the Mac gestures will running Windows. Highly recommend it.

Windows + MBP = best software + best hardware

 

Like you, I have been a Windows user my entire life and use shortcuts constantly in Excel. Also, IMO the Mac version of Excel just doesn't cut it.

I run Boot Camp with Windows 7 on a 15-inch MBP and couldn't be happier. It has taken some time for me to adjust to the keyboard, but it hasn't been THAT annoying.

If you do go this route, you might need Trackpad++ (cost: $15) to properly configure your trackpad. I found the trackpad to be unusable until I installed Trackpad++ , which allows you to use the Mac gestures will running Windows. Highly recommend it.

Windows + MBP = best software + best hardware

 

I've faired pretty well doing everything I need to do on my Macbook Air. I use Sketch, which is a mac only app, for creating wireframes, workflows, and mockups and use google's spreadsheet app for any light excel work I need to do (everything is shared via google drive). If I want to do any serious excel work for a long period of time then I use VMWare to run Excel via Windows. I keep my laptop on a stand and use a regular keyboard and bluetooth mouse when I want to work on models. I do some digging around in the code base as well so I prefer to work in a unix environment when running new code from a local server.

Rise early, work hard, strike oil.
 

Cannot stand Windows unless I have to use it...if you really need Windows Office that badly, as others have said, get an MBP and partition ~100 gigs for a Windows 8.1 install + office + whatever other stuff you need to put there. And then use OS X for everything else. Apple makes the best Windows computers after all. Personalty, I am a huge fan of OS X as it's just much more stable and user-friendly than Windows. Also more attractive.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

I faced a similar dilemma to you & went with the Macbook Pro. I needed the Windows version of Excel since I didn't want to learn the Mac shortcuts, but also needed the Mac side for a bit of python coding. I'm very happy with my machine - the Mac runs Windows better than any Windows computer I've ever owned.

As others have said, it's incredibly easy to install Parallels to boot into Windows to use the Office Suite. In the current edition of Parallels, you can literally open Excel as if it was another Mac program. You can also adjust the keyboard so that things like alt & ctrl are in the same spot you're used to for shortcuts. If you set it up correctly, you won't know you're using MS Excel on a Mac. PM if you want any more info on this.

 

Personally having used both. The whole Apple makes the best hardware, is nonsesne. I have had just as many pcs die on me as I have had macs. Its not some magic dust they have over there at Apple, it is simply a matter of market share. When you have little market share you have less need to worry about malicious code that actually corrupts and "kills" a computer. Sub standard hardware is an issue but if you have any brains you would actually compare a MBP priced windows laptop and find that they have very similar quality hardware components. I would actually give the nod to the Windows laptop at an even dollar comparison because the windows ecosystem as a whole has lower profit margins thus has more expensive and better quality hardware inside.

I have had 2 PCs die on me and 2 macs die on me. The PCs had minor (failed ram) to mid major issues (hard disk failure). The Macs had mid major (hard disk failure) to a major issues (logic board failure i.e. the motherboard failed and took most of the other components with it). If you properly maintain your computer you will likely have just as many issues on both sides. With the huge success of the iOS environment in 1st world countries malicious code is now being produced to attack the Apple ecosystem iOS and OSX. Those days of my Mac doesn't get viruses is over. You are actually more likely to get malicious code on a Mac now because there aren't as many people looking out for new signatures and actively putting out patches for it.

Follow the shit your fellow monkeys say @shitWSOsays Life is hard, it's even harder when you're stupid - John Wayne
 

I downloaded the beta for MS Office 2016 and it's much closer to Windows. Pivot tables work fine but pivot charts are a disaster and VBA isn't even working right now, but at least you can now use the F keys and control instead of command. It's a work in progress and likely to really close the gap with the official release later this year, but it's not there yet.

 

Got a couple feedback points.

If you've got a job it's entirely irrelevant because you aren't going to use your personal laptop for work.

If you don't have a job yet then a strongly recommend against it for two reasons. As already mentioned, the Mac versions of Excel don't work all that well. Not only does some of the advanced functionality not work (which includes some that you need as an excel monkey), but the different keyboard/mouse functionality impacts the shortcuts that you're going to learn in any training course.

While you could install Windows it's a bit dicey. Me and my wife were LTR awhile during our engagement, so we had the bright idea to try to have some fun by playing a co-op puzzle game together. She tried loading Windows 8 in bootcamp on her computer to make it work. The result was that it bricked her laptop and she had to get a sibling who works in IT to wipe her hard drive in order to make it work.

Overall keep in mind how the systems are designed. Microsoft's ecosystem has historically been built to offer more capability to power users and high degrees of customization at the expense of stability, ease of use, and the user experience. Previously Apple catered to people who worked in graphics and media design, but more recent Apple designs lack the display quality, cooling capacity, and processing ability to compete with current PC-based systems.

The current incarnation of Apple computers are designed primarily for recreational users, which is something you need to be cognizant of when considering a purchase. That doesn't mean they're bad systems but neither the user interface nor the hardware is optimized for business or professional uses.

 

Everyone saying a Mac and Windows is a bad idea is full of shit. My 15" machine is running Windows right now and it runs better than on my Lenovo. You can dual boot or use a VM or use one as both (which is what I do). If you were born after the year 1984 and can figure out how to insert a pie chart into a PowerPoint, you'll be okay, believe it. The guy saying "wipe hard drive" like it's a feat of science fiction clearly doesn't know what it does.

 

Thanks Asshat. Since you're talking to a guy who assembled his first tower from the ground up at the age of ten and passed the certified technician exam (A+ certification) at age 11, you can bet your ass that he knows what a hard drive does. I also was responsible for tech support and security for the students in my section during college(without getting into details, it's a school that uses a system similar to MBA cohorts).

If you knew as much as you think you do you'd know that "wiping the hard drive" is almost universally used slang for reformatting a drive. The fact that you don't know that tells me that (most likely) you've never actually worked on a tech support issue with other people.

The point that it worked great for you also isn't the issue. We recently had a discussion on this in our MBA class's group, and there were a couple of people who tried it. A couple said it worked great, and about a third of the people posting said they experienced major problems attempting it. Admittedly your odds are better with the newer macs but you're still rolling the dice.

 

Now now, no need for the name calling. I meant that YOU don't know what wiping a hard drive is/does. If you did, you'd know that it takes 20 minutes to do and any high school freshman can do it. And no, the "odds" wouldn't be better with a newer Mac because basic filesystem technology hasn't changed much in the last 25 years.

And btw, touting the A+ at age 11 is like saying someone skipped the 7th grade. I got the A+ at 14. It's really not a big deal dude. Maybe even you could pass it. I guess my point stands: the naysayers don't know what they're talking about.

 

"it takes 20 minutes to do and any high shool freshman can do it"....while I'm busy bowing at how vast your intellect is compared to my cockroach-like mind, let me point out that you're vastly understating the hassle that goes along with what amounts to a factory reset.

That "20 minutes" is just how long it takes the machine to clear the hard drive. It does NOT countthe time to re-install and re-configure an OS, which can easily take another two hours if your setup is such that you have to download and install manufacturer provided drivers for your components. That figure in turn doesn't account for the time it takes to reconstruct specific user settings and re-install any programs that you use on a regular basis.

Second exactly what on earth does filesystem have to do with it? Who said it was a filesystem issue? From what I was told the problem had to do with a new version of whatever dual-boot solution they were using not liking old versions of MacOS.

Also: exactly how the hell did you conclude that I don't know what "wiping a hard drive" does? Saying that "wiping the hard drive" was necessary is entirely appropriate when the context of a computer with an OS which is so badly damaged that you can't even initialize any OS on the hard drive.

To your point that I"m wrong about newer Macs being more likely to work. Sorry, it's a basic troubleshooting principal that you are less likely to experience problems in ANY computing situation when the computer, drivers, and software in use are fully updated. If I had a nickel for every tech support answer(both PC and Mac) that starts with "update to the latest version" I'd be sitting on my ass on a beach in Bermuda and not trying to hustle for a job.

 

I cannot say enough good things about my Mac Book. Excellent. It doesn't matter what your personal computer is for work.

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

Can someone comment on the ability to use Windows MS Office shortcuts/hotkeys on a MBP? Would you need to run Parallel 7?

He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.
 

I think they have Microsoft Office for Macs now.

MBPs are solid, not only in their specs and the way they run, but they're actually solid. Not all plasticky like a lot of PC laptops. Expensive though. Get a solid state hard drive if you can (even more expensive ha).

If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.
 

More than likely will have a work laptop..so what does it matter?

The answer to your question is 1) network 2) get involved 3) beef up your resume 4) repeat -happypantsmcgee WSO is not your personal search function.
 

Obviously Macs have Office but I am mildly certain the windows shortcuts/hot keys do not apply to Macs so I was wondering if someone could comment on the usability of a Mac running Parallels in order to make the shortcuts equivalent to a windows...?

He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.
 
chobanimonki:
Obviously Macs have Office but I am mildly certain the windows shortcuts/hot keys do not apply to Macs so I was wondering if someone could comment on the usability of a Mac running Parallels in order to make the shortcuts equivalent to a windows...?

I did not know that... pretty lame. The only software I've used on both a Mac and a PC was Pro Tools and the shortcuts were the same except ctl and alt were switched when it came to ctl and command on the Mac. Don't know why they'd make different shortcuts lol.

If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.
 

God damnit, I KNOW they are different. The question is does anyone have any experience running the Windows version of Excel on a MBP via Parallel 7 or Bootcamp? If so, are the shortcuts/hotkeys the same?

He who makes a beast of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man.
 
chobanimonki:
God damnit, I KNOW they are different. The question is does anyone have any experience running the Windows version of Excel on a MBP via Parallel 7 or Bootcamp? If so, are the shortcuts/hotkeys the same?

Windows running on Bootcamp or Parallel 7 is the same as Windows running on any PC so the Excel shortcuts/hotkeys are the same.

 
chobanimonki:
God damnit, I KNOW they are different. The question is does anyone have any experience running the Windows version of Excel on a MBP via Parallel 7 or Bootcamp? If so, are the shortcuts/hotkeys the same?

yes i do, and no they aren't. think about it, the hardware (keys) are flat out different. no whirley-gig on a PC bro...

My drinkin' problem left today, she packed up all her bags and walked away.
 
chobanimonki:
God damnit, I KNOW they are different. The question is does anyone have any experience running the Windows version of Excel on a MBP via Parallel 7 or Bootcamp? If so, are the shortcuts/hotkeys the same?

yes, it sucks on the mac. i bought a mac and tested it out for that very purpose. my intent was to replace my work pc with a mac becasue: 1. mac is more durable 2. looks sexier 3. faster boot up 4. in general, a better/more seamless experience to use

the problem: 1. i kept having trouble with macros 2. you cant use the ribbon hotkeys in office 2007/2010 3. all the other hotkeys are diff, so its a learning curve

i ended up having to install VMware fusion and that worked well, but then i thot "why the hell should i pay $2k for running windows when i could just have a pc"

but if you just want a comp for personal use - photos, music, browsing the internet, etc - go for the mac. but wait, why not just get ipad? thats the setup i have. i have a pc at home, my work laptop, and an ipad. i think i havent used my home pc for 6 months.

 

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"death is nothing, but to live defeated is to die everyday" ~Napolean Bonaparte
 

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If your dreams don't scare you, then they are not big enough. "There are two types of people in this world: People who say they pee in the shower, and dirty fucking liars."-Louis C.K.
 

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