I that the dongle or the per machine PACE Zargg?

Zargg
Hi. I have an iLok2 that I've had for years, without any issues.
If I could authorize all my plugins to Ilok, I would.
It's (IMO) very easy to get back up and running after doing a fresh install on my studio pc, which I do almost yearly.
All the best.
 

Same here. I've had an iLok 2  for years as well with nary a problem. I can use it between my main rig and the laptop in the other studio, which is very convenient.

You can move the dongle to any machine you want. Since the dongle must be present, you can install the plugins on as many different machines as you want, and just move the dongle.
 
That said...
 
If the dongle doesn't work reliably (like it doesn't on my early 2012 Dell XPS 8500), you're SOL. No help. No fixes. Nada.
 
My first plugin purchases were Slate's. Dongle only. NEVER worked reliably. Not on Win10. Not even on the Win7 my Dell shipped with. I had real difficulty even getting the licenses off of it and back into the Waves cloud. Jeez, I hate Slate.
 
However, the PACE software (authorize to PC) works great for me. If a plugin requires the dongle, I pass.
 
FWIW, I go ALL the way back with PACE. I had two different PC-DOS apps that had dedicated Centronics (printer) port dongles. Bigger than a Zippo lighter. Each wanted to be first in line. I was always unplugging my printer and swapping dongles.
 
Even though the PACE software licensing works for me, I still hate them.

TheMaartian
You can move the dongle to any machine you want. Since the dongle must be present, you can install the plugins on as many different machines as you want, and just move the dongle.
 
 

Just to be clear, the dongle has to be in the machine after the authorization? Is that right?
 
With 3 USB ports, PACE is the only option for me. But it seems most aren't bothered by PACE lie they once were 

 You have to have the iLok dongle plugged when using the related plugins and that includes when you run Cakewalk's VST scanner.
 

I avoid anything that requires a dongle. Four reasons why.

It takes up a scarce USB port.

The development of the USB system over the last few years has thrown up instances of hardware that would work with a USB 2 port but not USB 3 and now there are issues with some hardware and USB C ports. Which also use a different socket so at the minimum a convertor cable is required.

USB flash drives aren’t especially reliable, and susceptible to physical damage just as much as electronic issues.

Why should I pay not only for the software itself but also to a third party for the ability to use that software?

The on-line ilock management system on the other hand I’ve found to be trouble-free so far. And if the computer gets stolen, or has a total hardware failure, I can easily shift the licences to another computer.

I think the problem is basically that there are so many different autorisation systems and if you use a laptop with limited USB ports (e.g. 3), then you exceed very easily the possibilities (mouse, audio interface, iLok, USB stick, ...). Cloud or another autorisation based on permanent online connection is also not a good solution for all (some living rurally do not have reliable internet connections and some do not like the risk to be always online).
So somehow I feel sentimental about the good old days when you purchased a software with an offline key and had no such troubles  (by the way that was not the only thing that was better then ).
 
Marc

tlw
I avoid anything that requires a dongle. Four reasons why...

A fifth: if you drop your laptop with a USB device sticking out of it, there is a good chance it will be broken.
 
Then again, who has ever dropped a laptop by accident? Certainly couldn't happen if you were doing a live location recording in the vicinity of responsible bar patrons.

tlw

The development of the USB system over the last few years has thrown up instances of hardware that would work with a USB 2 port but not USB 3 and now there are issues with some hardware and USB C ports. Which also use a different socket so at the minimum a convertor cable is required.

My latest small work laptop has 3 USBs including a Type C. Was wuite tricky here getting 3 ports on  small laptop, nd somany times in class I'm using all three, with a Type C to a Type A (female) converter. I had to go from shop to shop toget that converter. Lots of Type C to a Type A (male), which Idon't have anything with a female Type A apart from laptops themselves.
 
For music I have my soundcard on one, and NanoPadon another (trigger finger before, but maybe Launchpad Pro next), so these both draw power. Having just a mouse on the third seems to make sence, anythng else would required a self powered hub I guess.

I've got 4 USB ports on my laptop.  2 USB2 and 2 USB3.
I too was fighting USB port access musical chairs until I went out and bought an Anker powered USB hub
Anker 10 Port 60W Data Hub
with 7 USB 3.0 Ports and 3 PowerIQ charging ports.  Very happy with it, no problems running my dongles or other devices on it and I can keep my other ports open on my laptop for directly connecting my external sample HD, my Quadcapture and a MIDI keyboard.
It lists for around $42 but you can probably pick it up cheaper on Black Friday or other sale.