Visual Studio Community 2017: Mac vs PC - Which is Best for You?

For software developers, having multiple development environment configurations can be a game-changer. With Microsoft Azure's cloud-based virtual machines (VMs), setting up and using Visual Studio 2017 has never been easier. This article explores the benefits of utilizing Microsoft Azure to host your development machine in the cloud.

Traditionally, developing with Visual Studio required installing it on your local machine. However, with technologies like Windows Hyper-V and VMWare, you can now develop software inside a Virtual Machine (VM), making it less invasive. This option provides greater flexibility and control over your environment, allowing you to easily spin up a new VM for different projects or scenarios.

Using Visual Studio 2017 on a Mac or PC is not the only option. With Microsoft Azure, you can host multiple development machines running Visual Studio 2017 in the cloud. This means that you can access your code and build software from anywhere, at any time, as long as you have an internet connection.

Setting up a VM on Microsoft Azure is relatively straightforward. You can create a new VM with the desired operating system (Windows or Linux), allocate resources, and configure network settings. Once set up, you can use Visual Studio 2017 on your cloud-based VM just like you would on your local machine.

The benefits of using Visual Studio 2017 in the cloud are numerous. For instance, you can easily scale up or down depending on your needs, without having to worry about hardware limitations. You can also access your code from anywhere, making it easier to collaborate with team members who may be located remotely.

When deciding between a Mac and PC for using Visual Studio 2017 in the cloud, consider the following factors:

* Operating System: If you're already familiar with Windows, using a VM on Microsoft Azure might be the better option. However, if you prefer macOS or Linux, you can also set up a VM running those operating systems.

* Hardware Requirements: Consider the system requirements for your development machine. A cloud-based VM can provide more processing power and memory than a local machine, especially when working with large projects.

* Integration: If you're already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem (e.g., using Office 365 or Outlook), using Visual Studio 2017 on a Windows VM might be the better choice.

Ultimately, the decision between using Visual Studio 2017 on a Mac or PC comes down to personal preference and your specific development needs. With Microsoft Azure's cloud-based VMs, you can easily switch between operating systems or environments as needed.

Using Visual Studio 2017 in the cloud is an exciting opportunity for software developers. With Microsoft Azure's virtual machines, you can access your code from anywhere, scale up or down depending on your needs, and collaborate with team members more effectively. Whether you prefer a Mac or PC, using Visual Studio 2017 in the cloud provides greater flexibility and control over your development environment.

References:

* Microsoft Azure: Virtual Machines

* Windows Hyper-V

* VMWare

Visual studio community 2017 mac vs pc