Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#21

Post by fuzzleonard » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:18 PM UTC

I have been doing this for years, no worries. Latency is rarely going to be an issue with remote desktop--you could get more than acceptable performance over a 56K modem line at MBA resolutions way back in ancient times. And depending on the Internet connection at the host performance may well be better than running locally because the data is moving over their big pipe and only the display is moving over your smaller pipe.

I would make sure to use virtualization software on my server that also runs on my laptop so I could easily grab a local copy of a VM to take with me on a flight, etc.

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#22

Post by r4vik » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:20 PM UTC

white_devil wrote: post #18

fHbjKlf6 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Pinging my existing Hetzner servers is around 45ms which is acceptable latency for me. Reliability from Hetzner hasn't been great for our servers but for what I need it for it is reliable enough.

Reliability problems with Hetzner? I was under the impression they're a very good host.

I have never had a problem with hetzner doing this exact thing.

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#23

Post by nytheus » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:20 PM UTC

fHbjKlf6 wrote: post #19

nytheus wrote: post #15

I have asked myself the same question as I would like to upgrade my machine. I currently run a MBA 2011 with 4GB of RAM. It is by far my best computer purchase. When I'm at a desk, it's plugged into an external monitor. Until Mountain Lion, I never had a problem with RAM, but I've adjusted how I do things on my laptop to fix the issue. I wrote up a PrOACT and found that it came down to 1 point for me. - Do I require…

Thanks, I don't do any gaming but I would like the ability for multiple monitors. This article suggest that the latest 2012 models do support 2 external displays - http://arstechnica.com/apple/2012/06/new-macbooks-can-manage...

I didn't know the 2012 models support multiple monitors. Since that's the case and you do not want to game it's a no brainer.

8GB of ram + SSD will get you far!

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#24

Post by ubercore » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:21 PM UTC

In terms of latency, I've found that http://mosh.mit.edu/ pretty much delivers on its promises.

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#25

Post by nwh » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:32 PM UTC

ubercore wrote: post #24

In terms of latency, I've found that http://mosh.mit.edu/ pretty much delivers on its promises.

I've kept remote sessions active while in at train at 140km/h, constantly roaming between GPRS, 3G and LTE. Mosh delivers its promises and more.

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#26

Post by toyg » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:32 PM UTC

I have the same sort of problem, and went with the MBPr. I need large VMs (6gb+ of ram) and travel a fair bit, so dragging around a big Dell was taking its toll. The MBPr has been great, the only limit being disk space, 512GB fill up quickly when each Windows image takes 40+ GBs. Also, the gorgeous screen, 6 months later, is now ghosting on me.

A colleague went with Air + VPN to his home lab, but that fails when your customer works "in a bunker" (i.e. heavy-handed firewalls and proxies, common in financial sectors).

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#27

Post by nwh » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:36 PM UTC

toyg wrote: post #26

I have the same sort of problem, and went with the MBPr. I need large VMs (6gb+ of ram) and travel a fair bit, so dragging around a big Dell was taking its toll. The MBPr has been great, the only limit being disk space, 512GB fill up quickly when each Windows image takes 40+ GBs. Also, the gorgeous screen, 6 months later, is now ghosting on me. A colleague went with Air + VPN to his home lab, but that fails when your…

Take your MacBook in and you'll get a replacement one, typically on the spot. I know at least 3 people who've had their rMBP replaced due to ghosting.

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#28

Post by kylebgorman » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:39 PM UTC

If you want portability, get an 11". Maybe you think you need those extra 2", but I believe in time that you will find you are wrong, and never look back.

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#29

Post by pretoriusB » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:56 PM UTC

pandakar wrote: post #4

The Air is a somewhat paradoxical machine in that it is extremely portable and therefore perfect for travel, which is when you often lose the data connection and therefore need more power to run VMs! You, however, don't have that problem, if indeed you are most often working from home. In the case you describe, definitely go for the Air, or wait a few months to see if the Air gets a retina screen. I have an air, and…

>The Air is a somewhat paradoxical machine in that it is extremely portable and therefore perfect for travel, which is when you often lose the data connection and therefore need more power to run VMs!

If you loose the connection you're screwed anyway, except if you work in some long term isolated part of a system.

Else, you have no access to the repo for other people's commits, no mail or IM contant to see what to work on etc, no way to check documentation/Stack Overflow/etc, no way to connect and make changes to the deployment servers, etc.

But it's not like people don't have access to the network on travels, anyway. In most hotels, coffee-houses etc you can get a wifi connection easily, and that's even in places like major African cities.

Re: Ask HN: Macbook Air + Remote Server = Macbook Pro?

#30

Post by zyb09 » Sun, Jan 06, 2013, 2:56 PM UTC

prody wrote: post #9

Re portability with the Retina MacBookPro: I've had mine (15") for about 3 months now, and I have to say it's absolutely great. The Air is very thin, and weighs in at 1.35Kg, but has a weak CPU and Intel graphics. The rMBP is not that extremely thin, but it's amazingly thin as well, a lot thinner that the old MBPs and other laptops. It weighs only 2Kg which still makes it very light to carry around. I'd say that for…

You need a power source though once in a while. If you're a college student who walks around the campus all day, working on small desks and park benches I'd get an Air. For everything else, like working around the house or office, definitely go with Pro.