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Do you have technical questions?

This is Mr. MK's Blog about common technical questions that people have.
​Do NOT leave urgent support questions here.

We will also use this blog to share MK Quilts articles.

Selecting a PC for running Simulator

3/8/2017

13 Comments

 
We are not talking about the tablet PC controller for the Pro-Stitcher that attaches to the quilting machine. Handi Quilter may call this a 'monitor upgrade' but it is actually a tablet Windows PC.  
Do not enable networking on the controller as it will allow updates to modify the software on the computer and will require you to ship it off to have it reinstalled.  Installing third party software will also void the warranty.  

What type of PC do you need to buy to run the Pro-Stitcher Simulator?
  • Windows 10.   Sorry Mac users.  Windows emulators on Mac (Apple) computers are for nerds.  Windows 7 and Windows 8.x may run the simulator, but we are assuming you are looking to buy a new computer.
  • Any model released 2016 or later - assuming you will only be using this PC for the PS Simulator software.

What type of PC do you recommend to run the Pro-Stitcher Simulator?​
  • Windows 10.  If they are selling a PC with an older operating system, it is old inventory.
  • A laptop with a touch screen.  If you can afford it, get a 2 in 1 laptop that also folds over into a tablet.  Better for sitting on the couch and watching MK's videos and Facebook pages.
  • An Intel I3 processor with 4 Gig or more of memory.  An I5 processor will be faster and is recommended if you will be doing other things with the laptop or are impatient.  More memory in the 6G to 8G range will also speed performance, but an SSD will do more.  (See below.)
  • The biggest screen you can afford and/or an external monitor.  I am assuming we are all over 40 years old and can get eye stress from small print.  If you want portability, smaller screens with external monitors will work fine.  Most external monitors are NOT touch screens and the ones that are touch enabled require careful configuration.
  • An SSD - Solid State Drive.  A 'hard drive' is a mechnical spinning disk that stores the operating system and data.  An SSD is a bunch of special memory chips without moving parts and is much faster.  Your smart phones, tablets, and USB drives use chips, not spinning disks.  The bigger capacity the SSD, the more expensive.  If you plan to store a lot of large videos and photos, you may need to worry about the SSD size.  Otherwise you should learn to use the cloud based storage like OneDrive, Dropbox, Idrive, or others.  But it requires an understanding of file management.  (Another blog post pending.)
  • High resolution screens are NOT required.  Avoid the cost related to high resolution screens.  The new 4K screen resolution is great for high definition video, but the simulator does not benefit from it.  On a laptop screen, you are putting a lot of extra dots across an already 'small' screen.  You will need to use zoom/scaling to blow things up to a size you can see easily.  Some programs do not work well in these cases.

Please feel free to post your comments and take the survey below.  If you have an urgent issue, please contact MK directly through her email, facebook, or phone.  Thank you for supporting MK's dream.
ADDED:  When you first get your new system home, expect it to take several hours to a day to finally finish updating its software.  This is normal and a bit frustrating.  Most computers are installed and then sit around for months until sold.  Windows 10 just had a major update so it is also likely that it will need to download and install a lot of updates.  When they say, "This may take a while" they mean it.

13 Comments
Susan
3/15/2017 05:06:33 pm

Just the information I needed to purchase new PC/tablet. Any recommendation on processor speed? Thanks.

Reply
Mr. MK
3/15/2017 05:26:19 pm

Make sure you press "read more" to read an entire post. I mentioned the differences with I3 and I5 (those are the letter 'eye' for Intel). If you are only using it for the simulator and basic browsing, the I3 will get the job done. (Having 6G or more memory helps.) But if you are impatient, spend the money on an I5 processor.

There are also I7 processors and AMD brands, but I am keeping it simple. There are also 'generations' of processors. I know the I7 is in it's 7th generation. Stores should not be selling old refurbs, so you can usually ignore it.

One clarification: If you are replacing the tablet that runs the quilting machine, you need to get it from HQ - via MK Quilts.

Reply
Martha
5/1/2017 11:47:23 am

This is GREAT information!!!

Reply
Mr. MK link
2/16/2018 12:57:59 pm

This information is still applicable in 2018. I look forward to helping everyone through this.

Reply
Ila Migut
5/30/2018 04:53:08 pm

Thanks for the help...I just wanted something to take to a class for Art & Stitch...and if i could ever find a ProStitcher class near me (I'm in NE IL) - what do you think of this? Windows stuff is beyond my ken...I'm an Android user
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1354207-REG/trekstor_38744_2_in_1_x5_z8300_2gb_32gb_w10_11_6t.html?ap=y&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI18nl7qWu2wIV0bXACh2XewUREAYYASABEgJ4g_D_BwE

Reply
Paul Kruschwitz
5/31/2018 08:46:02 am

I would NOT recommend this for anything!

The CPU is too underpowered.
The device has been around for 5 years.
It will run PSP poorly.

Reply
Kelly Saunders link
11/2/2019 03:56:33 pm

Mr MK do you have an opinion on the Surface Pro 7 256GB and 8GB of RAM for running ProStitcher Sim and Art & Stitch? I still have it in the box in case I need to go exchange it... :)

Reply
Kathleen Scargle McCormick link
12/29/2019 12:12:42 pm

Are these recommendations still valid? I am a MAC user and may try running it in parallel, but may want to purchase something specifically for this, and a few other things that seem much easier in PC land.

Reply
Pam
11/25/2020 11:17:20 am

Can you recommend a computer group for quilts? We have questions and need some advice/expertise.
Thank you Pam

Reply
MckimmeCue link
1/17/2022 02:10:18 am

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Reply
Timothy Arek link
1/19/2022 11:11:03 am

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Reply
MckinneyRee link
1/19/2022 11:12:03 am

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Reply
Toni
2/5/2023 12:26:42 pm

Can I use a Mac product

Reply



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    Mr. MK

    I am the nerd behind the beautiful MK.  Our life together is an open (Face)book. 

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