Just curious... but with Macs, is there something you can use for MS Office files? And is there a good torrent p2p client? Now that I'm not gaming, that's all I use laptops for... work and torrents.

I'm looking for a new laptop but although I like how the Macbooks look, I have zero clue on Macs... Considering Macs this time around as any Windows laptop with equivalent Macbook form factor and battery life are way more expensive (like Thinkpad Carbon or Sony Z-series).

Initially I was comparing Macs and non-Macs laptop. I gave a "big" picture thought which then led me to get a Mac, reluctantly.  Apple has successfully created an ecosystem for its hardware, which unfortunately, I am an unconscious victim. I have a few iPhones and iPads, the ever-confusing iCloud accounts, and potentially AppleTv. I hope the yet to be explored conveniences of staying in the ecosystem would facilitate the crappy iTunes streaming of my devices, seamlessly.

I have since narrowed down to MBP and MBAir. Similarly, my applications are for web surfing, Microsoft office works (light), photo-editing, movies, torrents, pdfs, and lots of pdfs. Proprietary rights (software) are strongly enforced under Apple and I do foresee paying quite a premium for these. This applies to Microsoft office suite but the availability of "Parallel OS", standalone OS, and Microsoft365 will still allow Mac-user to work on office-based projects. The only issue is the price.

Thoughts?

Initially I was comparing Macs and non-Macs laptop. I gave a "big" picture thought which then led me to get a Mac, reluctantly.  Apple has successfully created an ecosystem for its hardware, which unfortunately, I am an unconscious victim. I have a few iPhones and iPads, the ever-confusing iCloud accounts, and potentially AppleTv. I hope the yet to be explored conveniences of staying in the ecosystem would facilitate the crappy iTunes streaming of my devices, seamlessly.

I have since narrowed down to MBP and MBAir. Similarly, my applications are for web surfing, Microsoft office works (light), photo-editing, movies, torrents, pdfs, and lots of pdfs. Proprietary rights (software) are strongly enforced under Apple and I do foresee paying quite a premium for these. This applies to Microsoft office suite but the availability of "Parallel OS", standalone OS, and Microsoft365 will still allow Mac-user to work on office-based projects. The only issue is the price.

Thoughts?

Does anybody know if a Mac would connect seamlessly to an Android? Does it open in a file manager that lets you access any file or directory on the Android?

Hi all, for anyone of you that work in accounting firms in Singapore, Big 4 or mid-tier.

Are you required to work OT during Chinese New Year? Cos I will be starting my work in January in an accounting firm in Singapore and was thinking whether I go back to my hometown during that few days of holidays in Singapore.

Yes. Firms will allow u one day leave only. (either 1 day before or 1 day after).

wah so nice! 1 week after sending in application already got an offer!!      so good lah you

currently i had already signed offer letter with one of the medium firm ( 1.5 yrs bond) ,btw the commence date start on mid jan 2015.

The question is if I got Big4 SG offer , can I negotiate with the HR to release me without needing to pay for any compensation  ?

I am using MBA for almost 3 years now. Suits me pretty well, I don't play games and my main priority on the move is really enough battery juice to do some simple work and browse. Most of my files are 'cloud' or on portable HDD anyway. I would suggest a bootcamp over Parallel unless you really need to swap between windows and OSX very often. Parallel will slow down your Mac since you virtually running windwos on top of OSX. Parallel also not cheap, where else bootcamp is free. My favourite is still the 'no longer in production' MBWhite, a tough beast, still running in torturous environment under my kid. The other kid is using a MBP
For AppleTV, unless u gonna get a VPN, its pretty limited to AirTV between your Mac devices. With VPN, at least you can get Netflix and stuff. Setting up a WiFi 'VPN secured' network is a new challenge altogether. haha.

Would like to find out what are the working/employer culture like in singapore?
Is it work you till you drop type or more of a professional type?
I got offered a 12 day annual leave gig and find it shocking with so little leaves.
Are employees required to work over time with no replacements leave or financial benefits?

Just overall, I know bigger companies might have better benefits, but SME might not.

Would like to find out what are the working/employer culture like in singapore?

Would like to find out what are the working/employer culture like in singapore?
Is it work you till you drop type or more of a professional type?
I got offered a 12 day annual leave gig and find it shocking with so little leaves.
Are employees required to work over time with no replacements leave or financial benefits?

Just overall, I know bigger companies might have better benefits, but SME might not.

Thanks. Good rundown. Yup heard of Netflix and it's cumbersome to setup the VPN as well as maintaining it outside of US.

Just wondering, does your MBA heat up easily? Do you need a cooling pad?

May I know if I wish to apply for internship in Singapore, what visa I do need?

Actually its not too difficult to setup a 'secured vpn' WiFi connection in your home. Just get a Asus wireless router with dd-wrt capabilities. Need to flash the firmware. Once setup, you are good to go. You'll probably get a 10mbps speed running through VPN with your fibre optic line, enough for streaming.

I've nvr had cooling pad with my MBA.
The heat pretty much dissipates thru the aluminium unibody.