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Mac Usability feedback for Onshape and General Cad work
robert_johnston
Member Posts: 41 PRO
Thought I would ask the community who uses Mac how they find using Mac for Onshape and Cad in general like Autocad/Bricscad etc.
Reason for asking is I'm hearing impaired with bilateral implants using the latest N8 processors from Cochlear. I use Iphones and Ipads that have "MFI" (Made for Iphone) audio connectivity to directly stream audio to my implants. Laptops/computers have always needed a 3rd party device with the audio jack, no direct wireless streaming cababilitys supported from the operating systems (both Windows and Mac).
This however looks like it may have changed with the new Mac Os Sequoia release. I will go to the apple store and try in person. If this streams audio as flawlessly as my iphone, I'll likely convert to Mac as laptops are the last wireless audio hurdle for me. Especially with the use of Zoom these days.
That being said I'm a long time windows user, never used Mac OS. The main software I use are and if any of you have feedback on any differences being used with a Mac?
Onshape (browser based so don't see any change there)
3d connection spacemouse bluetooth
Bricscad Ultimate for cleaning up DXF files prior to sending to laser cutter (they have a Mac version)
Google Drive for Desktop for cloud sync of files and shearing with team members
Google Chrome web browser
Microsoft outlook for Emails (the "new outlook version")
whatsapp for Desktop
USBC Dual screen
Other than the above software I don't need anything else. Mac users how do you find using Mac Os everyday as your main Cad machine and any feedback or points I should look out for.
Have heard of an October release for apple and may have M4 Macbook pro, will likely wait and see what drops before buying a new laptop.
Thanks
Comments
I use a MacBook Pro 15" 2020 with a space mouse for all my onshape work and have no issues.
I have used Google Drive, outlook, WhatsApp, etc., and have no issues while running Onshape.
The software you mention should work (no idea about Bricscad and I only have a cable based spacemouse which works - best check the 3d connection forum). The keyboard layout is different and needs some time to adjust. And when you want to use a multi monitor setup ensure that you don't connect two monitors via Displayport as the Macs are not DP-daisychain capable (if both monitors only have DP an HDMI-to-DP converter helps for the second monitor), Several Thunderbolt monitors should work. An additional restriction: The M1 and M2 non-Pro/non-Max chips only support one external monitor. M3 is the first where the non-Pro/non-Max version already supports two external ones (additional to the internal screen).
I would wait for the M4 Macbooks and then buy an M1-M3 Macbook used. Imho more RAM (>=32 GB - if you e.g. still want a Windows VM for old software) and sufficient SSD (>=1TB) space (which you can get on the used market for reasonable prices) is more impactful than a 20% faster CPU/GPU. All Apple Silicon chips are still plenty fast.
Great thanks for confirming they all work 😁
Cheers for the info, I just use the one thunderbolt monitor currently above my laptop screen. More Ram the better 👍️
I'll try the apple store and give you all an update.
Depending on the mouse you use, you might need to install a little utility to enable middle mouse functionality on the Magic Mouse. Onshape runs beautifully on MacOS!
I've been using MacOS at my dayjob the past 5 years, with the last 3 being Onshape CAD. About everything is cloud based these days, including the whole MS Office Suite, that it all works great on any machine.
I used one of the M2 Air's for about 6 months a while back. Worked great.
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FWIW, the Onshape developers are almost all on Macbook Pros.
Awesome feedback!
@romeograham will have to try, Middle mouse I use for PANing
@nick_papageorge073 nice, yes I try to use mostly cloud services now days.
@MichaelPascoe Nice, what made you go back to Windows?
@ilya_baran Have noticed this with alot of the onshape videos, all using Mac. I think any conserns with Onshape on Mac are squashed. Glad I stuck with Onshape, imagen using Solidworks or Inventor!
@robert_johnston I had a few reasons for switching back:
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@robert_johnston
I have been running a Mac for quite a while.
Onshape and all browsers and any actual cloud-based systems seem to work fine.
I use 3Dconnexion devices, and while they work relatively well, expect to see a few glitches that are not an issue on Windows. (see the 3D connexion forum)
Most programs that have a Mac version seem to run fine. The bugs and glitches that you find will often be different than on Windows and, at times, not as well supported. I use Fusion a little (and dislike it), but it behaves differently on Mac vs. Windows. Expect a similar experience with any locally installed Cad.
I don't use Microsoft, so I can't give any thoughts on that.
Do research and buy a Mac that supports multiple monitors, and that will be a non-issue.
Part of why I love Onshape is that it runs so well on a Mac. For years I ran Solidworks on Apple laptops, which meant Bootcamp/Windows. It's so much nicer not to deal with graphics card driver issues etc.
All of this is worlds better than when Pro/E ran on SGI, Sun or HP unix boxes only.
@MichaelPascoe good reasons espcially the games 😀
@wayne_sauder good to know, Yes I'm 99% cloud based now, I don't even use overly powerfull laptops just the Size 13.5" - 14" for portability, If need powerfull windows computer I fire up a data centre based one with remote desktop login.
@S1mon Definiently a marketable feature, even just the shear stability, no corruption of files or need to remember to save are benifits even on windows machines, every other CAD sotware has crashed at some point.
How do you find the difference between using say Macbook Air vs Macbook Pro?
Just lookinh at it I'm swaying towards the Pro just for the screen? My current windows laptop uses Oled so deep blacks.
What specifications do you find is enough before it's considered overkill?
I've used a few Mac's for my dayjob in OS. M1 Mini with 8GB ram, M1 Studio with 64 GB ram and the top of the line processor Ultra processor, and M2 Air with 24 GB ram.
In my experience, they all run OS about the same "until" the memory runs out. When the memory runs out and it goes to paging, it runs dog slow. For professional work, I'd say 24 GB is the minimum, which is the highest RAM you can get on the Air and Mini models. When I had 8GB on the Mini, I'd run out every session with my dayjob stuff. Home hobby stuff 8GB is fine. 16 GB might be enough for dayjob, but I wasn't going to chance it so got the max of 24GB on my Air.
I personally like the Air way better than the Pro, because it's so compact, thin, and light. That's a personal preference of course.
You also want to run Firefox, not Chrome, for dayjob stuff. Chrome has a memory limit of I think either 2 or 4 GB (I forget). Firefox has no memory limit.
You might want to try Chrome again. When I was working on some complex models, I found that Chrome could handle it better than Safari. These things change with each update to the browsers, so I wouldn't treat any of this as set in stone. Also I would use whichever browser is your regular preference first, and only switch if you are having issues.
Exciting times people!
Went to my local apple store today, asked for an accessibility technician guru and explained how I wanted to test my Cochlear Nucleus 8 processors with the new OS Sequoia. Due to the Display laptops being "LOCKED" the apple staff went out the back to fetch a "UNLOCKED" Macbook Pro for testing.
The process was as seamless as you would connect typically using the Iphones "Hearing Devices" under the accessibility menu.
Did a youtube test and instantly audio was streamed straight to my cochlear implants.
Finally the last hurdle is over and I can stream everything to my implants without extra 3rd party devices having to connect to headphone jack or remeber to keep them charged.
Buzzing with excitment that this is now possible and as I'm typing on this windows laptop more than happy to switch to Mac just for this improvement.
Thats the update and pass this information on to any of your friends and family that may find this usefull