>>>>I just had a big unexpected windfall....and am thinking about buying a Mac....never though I'd say that.
>>
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>I've been on the iPhone since 2013 and I also have an iPad mini.
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>Part of me is tempted.....but I have read stories (anecdotal) about software developers using Microsoft tools (and I spend my day in Visual Studio, Excel, and SQL Server) running into some virtualization quirks and performance issues. (And I see you referenced that in your last sentence)
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>I have a Dell Inspiron that's very fast with 32 GB, but it's 3.5 years old and I do fear the CPU is doing to take a dive soon.
>
Be sure you have good backups

>Also.....I'm finding I do "less" in a laptop setting - so also thinking about getting a workstation. So trying to decide.....thanks.

I have a blazing Dell Workstation with a huge monitor (age degrades vision) It cost a bundle but it was deductible and we are worth it so what the hell.
Get a touch screen if you can.