This gas gotten way off track and most decidedly confusing for an out of depth novice. Check the local Staples / Office max and computer stores for a basic Windows laptop demonstrator that is a closeout. Check the HP website, especially now with holiday specials. I've had good lick with HP computers and any computer sold within the last 4 years has Windows 11. Look for multiple USB ports, the more the better, a 14" screen is more than adequate. Look for Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 or better processor. A google search will yield results less than $400 some lass than $300.

 

If you are a Mac user, spending any money on PC/Windows that you don't need/want is a waste. It's an item that costs more than you need and will sit in a bookshelf till you throw it away.
In the last 4 months I have done both:
1- Used a pc for FORScan
2- Used Mac/VMWare/Win 11 for FORScan

The results are 100% THE SAME.

It seems to me if you have Windows, use Windows.
If you have Mac, use Mac.

As a Mac user, the only reason I own a MS Surface Pro is because I don't currently have an iPad and thought I'd give a Windows tablet/computer a try and FORScan. I'll probably sell it next year and get $200 to spend on yet another truck mod you guys force me into or get an iPad.

Any Mac needing Windows functionality user should definitely do this:
- Mac OS
- Broadcom VmWare Fusion Pro - (free)
- Windows 11 - (free)
- USB flash drive

 

Yes very confusing. I wish I could use this mac. But to be honest, this poor thing is so slow. There are no more updates that this thing can take. Every app is basically out of date. For example, both my browsers, brave and chrome. And A LOT of PINWHEELS OF DEATH.... LOL. I call it that, the rainbow thingy that keeps going around and around loading..... Now that I have a little bit better of an understanding, I will be looking into the options listed and make a sound decision. Thanks.

 

What Mac do you have?

If it's so old that there are no updates, and it's not getting any younger, probably best to get $2 for it, cut losses, and get something for the next 5 years.
It's never worth the time, hassle and undependability to have technology that limps along. Could be unsafe/dangerous as well.

 

As stated.... off track and confusing

 

Mid 2012

 

If it were me, I’d make do with an old Mac, since I already had it. Use bootcamp and get a $10 key from keys off to register windows 10…even though it’s been sunsetted at this point.

But…if I wanted to throw a few hundred at making a cheap rig that should last a good while, I’d invest in the following.

http://OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapte...a.co/d/6CcEcnC


http://Dell Latitude 3190 11.6" HD 2...a.co/d/33XV2uI

One of the best OBDII dongles you can get for the price and a decent enough laptop to run Office and FORScan with ease.

 

I have a 17" MBP 2012 that was upgraded to an SSD in 2018 and works great, but I don't use it anymore and need to get photos from the drive and wipe/donate. I use a 16" MBP 2019 with the TouchBar and may update someday if I win any of the many lotteries I don't throw money away on.

Regardless of anything else, FORScan will work fine with either Mac or Windows machines (I've done both), your only considerations are cost and/or what fits with your other needs/equipment.

Maybe what would be best is for you to consider what you may need to use a computer for overall and which ecosystem would be best suited for your entire experience outside of FORScan.

Everyone here is attempting to be helpful, but it can be counterproductive as well and I don't believe I'm adding any value at this point.

 

Cheap Dell Laptop

https://computers.woot.com/offers/de...f=w_cnt_wp_1_4

 

Everyone has been and still is very helpful. I have one goal and one goal only for this discussion. Buy a cheap laptop, download forscan, and that is it....... Nothing else. This laptop or whatever I buy, will be only dedicated to the truck and nothing else. And actually the laptop would stay in the truck too. That is why I don't need anything special at all. This MB Pro does what I need it to do, which isn't much at all. But wicked slow. Frustration level max when I see that Pinwheel. Everyone has added value. Everyone here has helped me to the T. Spark plugs, battery, fuel inlet message. All of it.

I truly need to start making time to work on my own vehicle. I have had Quick Lane change my oil for the past 100,xxx miles, because I have read and heard stories (true or not I don't know), that Ford will put up a fuss about oil change intervals and warranty work, if you change your own oil. I now have the extended warranty for the truck and I honestly don't think it is worth it. The IWE wasn't covered. The only thing that I think the warranty saved me on was the two exhaust manifolds that leaked at the back. I am trying to stay cheap, because I just bought my daughter a laptop for school. A nice one too. Third grade, and she is doing work on computers at school that I didn't do till High School, no joke. So she comes first.

Again thanks to all. Huge help here.