Top Bananas | Tag Archives: Macintosh

Running Windows on a Mac

Posted on August 22, 2017 by admin Posted in Software, User Interface Leave a comment

What it is: VMware announced Fusion 10, their latest virtualization software.

If you need to run Windows programs on a Macintosh, Apple offers the most straightforward but limited solution known as Boot Camp. That lets you install and run Windows on a Macintosh in a separate disk partition while keeping macOS on another disk partition.

The big advantage of this solution is that it essentially turns your Macintosh into a Windows PC. The huge drawback is that you must choose to run either Windows or macOS. The moment you want to switch operating systems, you have to shut down one and reboot in the other one.

A far more elegant solution is to use virtualization software. Oracle offers a free, open source program called VirtualBox but a far smoother solution is to use a commercial virtualization program such as Parallels or Fusion.

At one time, Parallels and Fusion were in heated competition with each other. Then for some reason, VMware seemed to issue updates less frequently than Parallels to the point where Parallels became the clear choice. Now WMware has issued Fusion 10 in an effort to catch up to Parallels.

So the choice boils back down to Parallels or Fusion. Most likely, you can’t go wrong with either option but the real question is whether Fusion has caught up or surpassed Parallels. Given WMware’s past sluggishness in updating Fusion, the answer is probably no.

The best way to decide is to find a copy of Parallels and Fusion running on someone else’s Macintosh and see which one you like best. In the past, Fusion seemed the slicker and more advanced of the two while Parallels seemed less stable. Then Parallels kept up a steady stream of updates while Fusion remained relatively stagnant until Parallels became the obvious choice.

For Fusion to dethrone Parallels with the latest version seems unlikely. Yet Fusion may still offer features you may prefer over Parallels. In either case, you can get an excellent virtualization program in Parallels or Fusion for less than $100 so you can’t go wrong with either choice.

Parallels and Fusion can also share virtual machine files so if you have old Parallels files, you can convert and run them in Fusion and vice versa.

The best part about the latest version of Fusion is that VMware finally seems to be making an effort to improve Fusion and hopefully surpass Parallels. Given the history of both companies, Parallels has been more consistent and dependable. I initially started with Fusion then reluctantly switched to Parallels only when Parallels finally offered clear advantages over Fusion.

For Fusion to get me to switch away from Parallels and back to Fusion will not be easy. Until Fusion offers dramatic performance advantages over Parallels, there’s little reason to switch from Parallels to Fusion.

If you’re buying virtualization software for the first time, I’d give the nod to Parallels for now, but take a look at Fusion. Fusion will do a fine job too, so it’s really a matter of what you need and what features you like in both programs.

Ultimately in the battle between Parallels and Fusion, there is no loser. Either one will help you run Windows on a Macintosh.

Intel Announces New Processors (And Why It Doesn’t Matter)

Posted on August 21, 2017 by admin Posted in Hardware Leave a comment

What it is: Intel announced 8th generation Core processors.

At one time, professors evolved so rapidly that people eagerly upgraded their computers to take advantage of the latest software. The jump from 80286 to 80386 to 80486 to the Pentium was dramatic enough to make the upgrade cost worth it. That’s why Intel keeps announcing newer processors to keep up with AMD’s latest processors.

Intel’s new 8th generation processors are supposedly up to 40% faster than current processors. While speed is always welcome, raw speed alone won’t necessarily make your software more responsive unless your software knows how to take advantage of the dramatic changes in the processor hardware.

That means even though Intel’s latest processor may be 40% faster, you might not see a 40% increase in using a computer. For many people, today’s processors are fast enough so the increased cost of Intel’s latest processors may not be worth it.

For professional computer users who need raw power for video editing or graphics editing, a faster processor will be worth the cost. For the average computer user, today’s computers are adequate so there’s little need to upgrade.

In the past, people upgraded their computers every two years or even sooner. Today, people upgrade their computers every five years or more. Probably the only major growth market for computers is the gaming market where raw processing power is always welcome to make games more responsive.

So although Intel’s 8th generation processors are appealing, the cost may not be so welcoming. The best part about the announcement of the 8th generation of Intel Core processors is that it will push down prices for existing processors and give you more money to spend on other components besides the processor.

For Windows users, your next PC will likely contain the latest Intel or AMD processor. For Macintosh users, your next Macintosh will contain the latest Intel processor since AMD processors aren’t officially supported.

Rather than worry about the technical specifications, just ask yourself what you need. Chances are good you don’t need Intel’s 8th generation processors.

An iPad Pro or a Laptop?

Posted on August 20, 2017 by admin Posted in Software Leave a comment

What it is: This fall, Apple will release iOS 11, which offers a file system and multiple windows to iOS and the iPad.

If you’re looking for a mobile computer, you can choose between a traditional laptop such as a MacBook, an iPad Pro, or a 2-in-1 device such as the Microsoft Surface. No device will satisfy everyone so decide what’s most important to you first.

The Microsoft Surface and similar 2-in-1 devices promise to give you the capabilities of a laptop with a tablet, but they’re really laptops first and tablets second. The biggest appeal of such 2-in-1 devices is if you only need to use Windows programs. This is also the drawback because you must live with the limitations of Windows as a tablet operating system. It’s easy to find iPad apps optimized for tablet use. It’s not as easy to find Windows apps optimized for tablet use.

If you want to use Windows as a laptop, then look at a 2-in-1 device. If you don’t want to hassle with the obligatory Windows bloatware (programs pre-installed on a computer) and anti-virus software, then you might be happier getting a MacBook instead.

A MacBook can run the more reliable, less malware-prone macOS operating system so your laptop will be easier and simpler to run. In addition, you can still run Windows as a virtual machine so you can run both Windows and macOS software, giving you a larger software library than a Windows laptop could give you itself.

If you need a laptop, a MacBook may be more expensive than a Windows laptop, but it will be more reliable and more versatile. The problem is if you also need a tablet as well. Then a 2-in-1 device might still be attractive.

For anyone who just needs a tablet, there’s no reason to get anything but an iPad. The best tablet apps are designed for the iPad first and ported to Android second. That’s because Android tablets are generally cheaper in both price and quality, so developers target the more lucrative iOS market first.

Now if you need a tablet and a laptop, you might be tempted to get an iPad Pro. This fall, Apple will release iOS 11, which offers special features that include a file system and app icon Dock similar to macOS that lets you put frequently used app icons at the bottom of the screen for easy access.

With iOS 11 and an external keyboard, the iPad Pro suddenly becomes more like a laptop. today, the iPad Pro may be more of a tablet than a laptop, but when iOS 11 arrives, the iPad Pro will offer more laptop features. Now the question between an iPad and a laptop becomes more difficult.

If you absolutely need to use a particular macOS program such as Xcode, which isn’t available for iOS, then you’ll have no choice but to buy a MacBook. If you aren’t tied to a particular macOS program and just need general word processing or spreadsheet features, then you can get along just fine with an iPad Pro.

Ultimately, here are the main advantages of each type of device:

2-in-1 Windows devices – pros: low price; cons: not really a tablet
MacBook – pros: can run Windows and macOS programs; cons: not a tablet
iPad Pro – pros: the best tablet on the market; cons: cannot run Windows or macOS programs

As iOS matures past version 11, expect the iPad Pro to get more versatile as both a tablet and a laptop. Apple currently sells more iPads than Macintosh computers, so expect this trend to continue. That mans the market for developers will be iOS, which means the most exciting and interesting software will appear on iOS first.

Already Apple’s own augmented reality features are iOS-only so expect this trend to continue. Eventually, iOS will be more attractive than macOS so in the long run, iO?S is the future and macOS is not.

That doesn’t mean macOS will ever go away completely. It just means that macOS will never be as popular or widespread as iOS. That also means eventually the world will shift to the iPad and leave 2-in-1 devices and the Macintosh behind.

To learn more about the laptop-like features in iOS 11, click here.

The Reliability of the Microsoft Surface

Posted on August 10, 2017 by admin Posted in Hardware, Software Leave a comment

What it is: Consumer Reports recently pulled their recommendation of Microsoft Surface tablets over reliability issues.

Microsoft’s Surface 2-in-1 devices are an interesting product. Supposedly they give you the features of a laptop and a tablet, but in most cases, they’re just ultraportable laptops that offer table features. The real feature of any tablet isn’t just the hardware but the software, so using Windows as a tablet is adequate, but not optimal. Still if Windows works for you as a tablet, then you might as well get a Surface device.

What Consumer Reports claims is that the reliability of Microsoft Surface devices is in doubt. Surface users in the past have complained about software bugs that have caused problems, but Consumer Reports claims that a high number of Surface users report problems. Since Microsoft generally fixes these problems right away, the real drawback is the inconvenience of taking your device in to get fixed. The real reliability problem isn’t just the hardware but the operating system, Windows.

Windows 10 has virtually eliminated crashes that plagued Windows XP. However, Windows 10 still isn’t the easiest operating system to use, especially since it’s the largest target for malware. So not only do Windows users have to deal with less than intuitive user interfaces, but they must also deal with security software to guard against malware. Toss in the higher price of a Microsoft Surface device and suddenly the convenience of having one device act as a laptop and tablet pales compared to the higher price you have to pay for buying and using a Surface device.

If you’re truly interested in a 2-in-1 device that runs Windows, look at rival devices from Dell, Lenovo, and Hewlett-Packard. They’re often cheaper than a Microsoft Surface and likely don’t have reliability issues that Microsoft Surface devices have. If you’d rather skip the headaches of Windows, then consider switching to an iPad or MacBook.

The Microsoft Surface is a decent device that’s priced too high compared to its rivals. Sales of Microsoft Surface units isn’t skyrocketing. In fact, it’s steadily declining. Microsoft never planned for the Surface devices to be massive profit generators anyway, so Microsoft probably doesn’t care that much about whatever happens to the Surface lineup anyway.

Ultimately, the Microsoft Surface is an interesting device that likely will continue improving with incremental updates and minimal market share. If you’re a die-hard Windows user, the Surface is probably for you. For everyone else, there are cheaper Windows alternatives or the iPad or MacBook.

If you want low price, get a Windows alternative to the Microsoft Surface. If you want to pay a higher price and get a smoother user experience, then it might be time to consider an iPad or MacBook. All hardware devices fail so don’t be scared away from the Microsoft Surface. Just don’t expect the Microsoft Surface to be a game changing product like the iPhone, iPad, or Macintosh.

Dealing with Oppressive Laws

Posted on July 29, 2017 by admin Posted in Software Leave a comment

What it is: Apple recently removed VPN (virtual private network) apps from the Mac App Store in China.

It’s no surprise that countries around then world censor information. While the Pentagon keeps reporters away from showing anything but approved videos and pictures, countries like China seek to limit what its citizens can find and read on the Internet. To circumvent China’s Great Firewall, many people have been using VPN software, which lets you connect to a server in another country and then from that server, brows the Internet. This fools firewalls from blocking access because technically you’re only accessing a server, not a banned site like Twitter or YouTube.

Unfortunately, Apple removed VPN apps from the Mac App Store because China’s government complained that it made it too easy for its citizens to circumvent the Great Firewall of China. Since Apple builds products in China and sells tons of iPhones in that country, there’s little Apple could do but follow Chinese laws.

http://www.topbananas.com/wp-admin/post-new.php#What if Apple defied China? Then they would lose access to one of the most lucrative markets in the world as well as losing access to its manufacturing base. It’s a no-win situation for Apple. Either they follow China’s laws or they don’t and suffer tremendous consequences that would essentially shut down most of their business. So what can Apple do besides openly defy China?

First, they can continue putting encryption in all of their products so at least people can protect their data. Second, they can actively lobby China’s government to remove this VPN restriction so they could eventually put VPN software back on the Mac App Store.

There is no good solution. China’s government has the advantage and as long as Apple needs China’s market and their manufacturing base, they have little choice but to comply. That means third-parties, who have no dependence on China, must actively spread VPN software throughout China. Probably the simplest way to do this is to put VPN software on servers around the world to allow Chinese citizens to find the VPN software. The more copies of VPN software spread throughout China, the less likely the Chinese government could possibly find and delete them all.

The huge problem with the world is that every country makes laws that restricts freedom in some way, depending on your point of view. From the Middle East restricting women’s freedoms to China blocking information on the Internet, to North Korea limiting Internet access altogether, the world is an uncertain and scary place. The only sure thing is that people can and will be resourceful so any ban can be overcome with enough creativity and persistence. The real problem is never oppressive laws but the will of people. Once people no longer want to circumvent unjust laws, then the oppressive governments will finally have won.

To learn about the best VPNs to use in China, click here.

PC Sales Still Dropping

Posted on July 15, 2017 by admin Posted in Business, Hardware Leave a comment

What it is: PC sales continue dropping quarter after quarter with no end in sight.

Remember back in the old days when you needed a PC to do practically anything on the Internet? If you wanted to send email, you needed a PC. If you anted to browse websites, you needed a PC. If you wanted to chat in real-time using instant messaging, you had to use a PC.

Back then, people regularly replaced their PCs every few years because hardware kept advancing. Nowadays, hardware advances provide minimal improvements. A faster processor might make your computer run faster, but it won’t noticeably make you more productive using Microsoft Word or Excel.

Besides the hardware improvements offering minimal improvements, the mobile computing market led by smartphones and tablets, have decimated the PC market. Most people now own a smartphone so there’s little need to keep updating a PC every few years. Smartphones are even more useful than PCs since you can use them for mapping directions, calling services like Uber or Lyft, or taking pictures. While you can do all this with a PC, it’s not as easy or convenient. How many people want to lug around a laptop and take a selfie? It’s possible. It’ just not easy.

Strangely as the PC market shrinks, Apple’s market share grows even though they’re not selling as many Macintosh computers as before. Many people are slowly abandoning PCs and not replacing them at all, holding out longer between upgrade cycles, or switching to the Macintosh. Most likely the number of PC users switching to the Macintosh is greater than the number of Macintosh users switching to a PC. That means a steady flow of new Macintosh users and a steady decline in PC users.

The PC is still useful, but just not necessary or dominant any more. People don’t need to use Windows so when given a choice, many people don’t. They rely on Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Linux, or macOS. All are viable options to using a Windows PC, so that means fewer people need a Windows PC any more.

In the long run, the sales of Windows PCs will slowly and steadily decline because people have so many other options to use instead. The days of the Windows PC are over. There’s nothing wrong with a Windows PC, but there’s nothing it can do that other options can’t do just as well (or sometimes even better).

When Apple releases the iMac Pro later this year, it probably won’t change most people’s mind about the Macintosh. Professional suers will need and be willing to pay the higher price for an iMac Pro. Most other people will not. Then when the Mac Pro arrives later next year, it also won’t attract large numbers of people either.

The shift away from Windows PCs to anything else has already begun and nothing is going to stop this migration. Just as you can expect to see old style cash registers still being used in some stores, so you can expect to see Windows PCs still being used by businesses and individuals. The only difference is that unlike the old days, you’re just as likely to see an alternative to a Windows PC as well.