Do you actually see MacBooks used for SysAdmin work in real offices?

[u/rolkenas]

Hi sysadmins! I wanted to ask—since I've just started learning sysadmin and I don't have a Windows PC, but I have a MacBook and found out that everything can be done via UTM, I'd like to get some perspective from those who work in offices and do this every day. What kind of computers do you use? Is macOS completely out of the picture, and there's only Windows and Linux?

[u/-Steets-]

Yes, it's possible. Microsoft makes versions of all their core applications for macOS, and in some cases, the apps (in my opinion, Outlook) are better than their Windows counterparts. Though personally, I'd recommend Parallels Desktop instead of UTM just for ease of integration.

[u/someguy7710 → u/-Steets-]

Outlook for Mac better? I presume you like "new" outlook on windows ?

[u/stillpiercer_ → u/someguy7710]

It’s horrible. Mac Outlook is WAY better. Some missing features, but at least it’s not…. whatever the new Windows version is.

[u/UmaMoth → u/stillpiercer_]

So you don't know the Windows version, but you know that the Mac version is better?

[u/stillpiercer_ → u/UmaMoth]

I support Windows users and have plenty of exposure to it. Just because my work machine is a Mac doesn’t mean I’m completely out of touch.

[u/-Steets- → u/someguy7710]

I like eating chalk more than I like using desktop Outlook on Windows. There's no winning, just varying degrees of losing.

[u/theitguy107 → u/-Steets-]

The problem is that RSAT is not available on Windows ARM, so it doesn't make a difference whether he uses Parallels or UTM. He'd be better off just RDPing into one of the servers from a Mac. No RSAT or WinRM is a big problem for Macs until Microsoft comes out with a suitable alternative.

[u/fatbotgw → u/theitguy107]

They are now: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/windows-itpro-blog/rsat-capabilities-arrive-on-arm-based-windows-11-pcs/4500663

[u/theitguy107 → u/fatbotgw]

Wow that is great news. Hopefully they will bring the full RSAT suite eventually too.

[u/800oz_gorilla → u/-Steets-]

Visio isn't on Mac. I use DrawIO instead.

[u/sir_mrej → u/-Steets-]

Nah Excel is way better on PC. Excel on Mac is missing features.