I am going to purchase a new Macbook Pro.  I currently run Dragon 15 Professional with an Olympus Digital Recorder.  Does anyone have a recommendation on the preferred Macbook Pro, Windows system, Parallels vs. Boot Camp, or any other advice?  

I am updating the machine and software.  Any recommendations are much appreciated.

Thanks, Curt

My recommendation is:

 

Don't.

 

As you probably know, the only way to run Dragon on a Mac is via Parallels or Bootcamp and both solutions absolutely rely on an Intel x86 processor architecture.

Since Apple has cancelled their contracts with Intel and is using their own, ARM-based processors in new machines, neither Parallels not Bootcamp will be able to virtualize a Windows system required for Dragon to work.

 

So unless Nuance decides to bring Dragon Dictate for Mac up to par with the Windows version (which won't happen) or anyone comes up with a practical and fast way to emulate an x86 processor on an ARM mac, there is no (good) Dragon for mac users, sorry.

 

I remember seeing another thread about Dragon on Mac with additional information a while ago, you should be able to find it by searching the forums.

 

Regards,

mav

mav -

Thank you very much for your reply. I don't know much about the technical specs so that's why I'm seeking advice. I will also search the forums too. Are you speaking about the new M1 chip? I was thinking of buying the current Macbook Pro that has the below specs, using Parallels, Windows 10, and running Dragon 15 Professional with a digital recorder.

2.3GHz 8-Core Processor
1TB Storage
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
2.3GHz 8-core 9th-generation Intel Core i9 processor
Turbo Boost up to 4.8GHz
AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB of GDDR6 memory
16GB of 2666MHz DDR4 memory
1TB of SSD storage¹
16-inch Retina display with True Tone
Magic Keyboard
Touch Bar and Touch ID
Four Thunderbolt 3 ports

My current Macbook Pro is now a legacy system. I use Boot Camp and Windows 7. I'd like to update because I need a new laptop and noticed Apple is changing to an M1 chip that looks like it won't have a quick way to run Dragon.

Thank you for your information. Curt

We agree with Mav. Dragon never quite runs as well on a Mac as it does on a dedicated Windows-based PC and if you're purchasing a Mac for the Mac OS, you won't be able to purchase a newer Mac down the road. If you're purchasing a Mac because of the manufacturing quality, it doesn't come close to the M-Tech quality (231) 547-5562 which builds its notebook computers in the United States; unlike Mac or any other notebook computer manufacturers.

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That's the key information.

As long as the Macbook still has an Intel processor, you'll be able to run Windows on Parallels and thus Dragon.

I don't know how quickly Apple will stop offering machines with Intel processors, but I think it won't take too long. If you still manage to get such a machine and really do need MacOS for your work, then grab it now while you still can.

As Lunis said, if you only want a MacBook as an overpriced platform to run Windows on you can just as well start looking for an alternative right now.

 

Regards,

mav