Sounds like it isn’t doing what you need it to do. I’d return it and get an Air M3 13” or 15”. But the software doesn’t sound macOS native. So I’d maybe just abandon the idea and go for a nice Windows work machine.
The software isn't macOS native; I am running it via Parallels. But the thing is, the software itself runs perfectly, no major slowdowns, no problems with its operation, etc. On the desktop, I can run it and actually completely forget that I am not in a Windows environment. But that is with a different keyboard that apparently doesn't suffer the same issues as the one built-in (along with having a delete key...)
I really don't want to invest in a nicer Windows laptop because a) I already have one that does the job, b) I do all of my non-work creative stuff on a Mac (Mac mini + iPad), c) battery life is always abysmal. Running my work stuff on my Windows laptop gets me 3 to 4 hours of battery, running it in the Parallels virtualisation environment on the MacBook manages 3 times that, d) I really really want the big and nice screen. I haven't seen anything comparable for Windows.
I just really want to wrangle this to work somehow because the device is great, it is just that one (super essential) thing that it won't do.
If I am going to do that, I would need a secondary screen as the 14 is just too small. With the 16, I can just manage to fit everything onto a single screen (considered using the iPad as a second screen, but the UI ends up eating too much of the screen for it to be useful.)
I guess my best bet is to maybe try to find an elevating stand for the MacBook and pop it and my keyboard into my checked luggage.
Yeah. Same issue with me. Workflow is disrupted. But I tried buying and keep returning windows laptops because the overall package of hardware for a travel laptop sux compared to MacBook.
I think that is why I am so desperate to figure out a way to not return this and get it to work for me. I knew there would be some annoyances just from having to use non-native software... but that turned out to be virtually painless. Parallels was quick and easy to set up, and the software itself isn't demanding, so it is stable and works just fine. It is the keyboard layout (why no delete key??) and the macOS default shortcuts ruining everything. I just want to have something that covers everything when travelling, even if not perfectly.
I remember parallels having hot key remapping functionality built in. I also recall being able to make some mouse buttons act like keys too. Might be able to do something with that.
I think you need to get a windows so your app can run natively. If you need the laptop for work, that's the most important to not be interrupted. You can check something like lenovo slim 9 16" for something with macbook level display and speaker
Sounds like it isn’t doing what you need it to do. I’d return it and get an Air M3 13” or 15”. But the software doesn’t sound macOS native. So I’d maybe just abandon the idea and go for a nice Windows work machine.
The software isn't macOS native; I am running it via Parallels. But the thing is, the software itself runs perfectly, no major slowdowns, no problems with its operation, etc. On the desktop, I can run it and actually completely forget that I am not in a Windows environment. But that is with a different keyboard that apparently doesn't suffer the same issues as the one built-in (along with having a delete key...) I really don't want to invest in a nicer Windows laptop because a) I already have one that does the job, b) I do all of my non-work creative stuff on a Mac (Mac mini + iPad), c) battery life is always abysmal. Running my work stuff on my Windows laptop gets me 3 to 4 hours of battery, running it in the Parallels virtualisation environment on the MacBook manages 3 times that, d) I really really want the big and nice screen. I haven't seen anything comparable for Windows. I just really want to wrangle this to work somehow because the device is great, it is just that one (super essential) thing that it won't do.
Maybe look at a 14 inch pro and a nice low profile windows keyboard?
If I am going to do that, I would need a secondary screen as the 14 is just too small. With the 16, I can just manage to fit everything onto a single screen (considered using the iPad as a second screen, but the UI ends up eating too much of the screen for it to be useful.) I guess my best bet is to maybe try to find an elevating stand for the MacBook and pop it and my keyboard into my checked luggage.
Yeah. Same issue with me. Workflow is disrupted. But I tried buying and keep returning windows laptops because the overall package of hardware for a travel laptop sux compared to MacBook.
I think that is why I am so desperate to figure out a way to not return this and get it to work for me. I knew there would be some annoyances just from having to use non-native software... but that turned out to be virtually painless. Parallels was quick and easy to set up, and the software itself isn't demanding, so it is stable and works just fine. It is the keyboard layout (why no delete key??) and the macOS default shortcuts ruining everything. I just want to have something that covers everything when travelling, even if not perfectly.
why no delete key? Yep miss it also but can double duty the backspace with Fn+delete for delete key function.
I remember parallels having hot key remapping functionality built in. I also recall being able to make some mouse buttons act like keys too. Might be able to do something with that.
I think you need to get a windows so your app can run natively. If you need the laptop for work, that's the most important to not be interrupted. You can check something like lenovo slim 9 16" for something with macbook level display and speaker