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Board » General Discussion » Windows or Mac?

l just killed my Mac, so am starting from scratch. l used it solely for web browsing, downloading movies, and Sol. What I couldn't do was use blue water or other routing software with a Mac. What do other SOLers use?

Also tablets. l have a Samsung Galaxy Notebook 10.1, but no flash and therefore no sol. What do other SOLers use?
I use Win PC (running an old OS) and all that stuff works just fine. There are some folks that use Linux distros...stoertebaeker and kropper I seem to remember.
I've actually looked at and played with a chromebook, which did sol very well as well as played netflicks and youtube stuff.
If you're into playing with your system, then a Linux setup might be the best.
If you just want something that works out of the box, Win8 or a chromebook might be best. Of course most Nav software is designed to run on Windoze, not sure how that stuff would work on the chromebook.

Just as a point of interest, how did you kill your Mac? I fried the motherboard on my previous laptop by spilling a really good IPA on it. :-p
Yes, I use linux.

I see apple software a bit like a taxi: pricey, you (almost) always get where you want to go, but you rarely have a choice in how you get there. If something goes wrong, you're scr..- you're fu..- you're not happy.

windows is more like your own car, where you can steer yourself. But the steering wheel comes loose once in a while, and occasionally you have a flat battery :)

linux more like the car that you spend your whole Sunday on to get it working again, not because it broke down, but because you want to make it better.

chromebook... I don't have much experience with that. As far as I know, it's basically a browser. More like a train, only a limited number of places you can go to, with a railway guard that watches you.

---
well that was fun :) what was the question?

If you like playing around with your computer, take a look at linux. If not, take a look at linux :) If really not, well, never mind then.

If you was happy with apple, then stay with apple. There are ways to get BWR running on apple, but I would recommend looking for other nautical software that can run on mac without much trouble. For a router: qtVlm is crossplatform, it shouldn't be too hard to get it running on mac.

If you don't have a special preference for apple, go for windows. Most programs run at least on windows, just because they form the majority of the market. Maybe look into chromebook, I'm not sure how easy (if even possible) it is to install things like routers on a chromebook.

You can install windows and linux on the same PC. Apple has trouble keeping hardware and software separate.

As for the tablet... My opinion is that it combines the disadvantages of laptop and smartphone: you can't put it in your pocket, and you can't do much with it. But that's just me.

On "no flash"-machines, people use puffin to get the SOL client running. I have no experience with that.

---
PS: if you do choose for linux, or are seriously considering it, there is a lot to choose from.
Maybe it's still possible to boot Linux on a PC. But M$ is trying to make it hard.
SSD won't boot

--- Last Edited by captjack1942 at 2014-03-05 18:01:30 ---

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