[Elecraft] Windows vs Mac

[Phil Hystad]

I use a Mac.  Actually, I use an iMac-24, a MacBook Pro Laptop, an iPad, and an iPhone.  The only software I run on my Macs though are the utility programs for my Elecraft rigs and MacLoggerDX.  I use MacLoggerDX for logging only and I do not use it in real-time as I use my radios.  I continue to log in my spiral bound notebooks and transfer information to MacLoggerDX every now and then.  I don't contest so this is a viable means of logging.  If you are a contester I suggest looking at Rumlog.

Obviously I am a Mac fanatic but if you are going to use a computer mostly for ham radio applications I submit that the Windows operating system is more suitable as a ton more software is available for Windows.  Sure, you can run a VM (Parallels or Fusion) on a Mac or dual-boot for Windows (or Linux or whatever) but if most of your activity is running Windows programs then why spend the premium for a Mac.

As far as Linux goes -- I use is daily because we develop systems on Linux but even the best UI on Linux sucks compared to either Windows (e.g. Windows 7 or 8) or Mac (especially Mac).  I can't stand more then a few minutes using an X-Windows System UI such as Linux sports (even Ubuntu which is probably the most polished is horrible).

73, phil, K7PEH


On Aug 24, 2012, at 6:44 AM, Paul and Sue Huff <phuff at mi.rr.com> wrote:

> Please forgive me for a slightly off-topic post but I know that the collective 
> wisdom of the people on this list can give me a lot of good advice.
> 
> My shack computer is getting a little "long in the tooth" and I am starting to 
> research a replacement machine.  My current ham usage for the computer consists 
> of logging and some digital work, but future rig control could be something that 
> I would be interested in doing.  Recent experience with a new iPad has created a 
> very positive impression for me regarding Apple products but I know that "in the 
> old days" most ham radio software was designed for Windows only.
> 
> So my question is this - Are there now good choices available for ham radio 
> software (logging, digital, rig control) that will run on OSx computers?
> 
> BTW, I know that Linux is a popular operating system for ham radio these days 
> but I don't really know anything about it.  I can certainly try to learn, 
> however the computer has other uses in the family and so I would need to be able 
> to easily switch it back into it's "standard" manufacturers configuration for my 
> wife who is even less techie than I am.
> 
> Any and all opinions would be appreciated.
> 
> 73,
> Paul - N8XMS
> 
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