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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I'm annoyed with the idea of getting a Mac (lemmy.dbzer0.com)

submitted 4 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/45692012

I know this is going to be unpopular with some, but I am seriously considering a Mac and I am annoyed by the idea of it.

I NEED MacOS or Windows for my work. There is one application that does not work in Linux yet and there are no alternatives. It is a critical work application.

With that being said, you can probably guess that Linux is my preferred OS of choice.

I am currently using a Windows desktop for my work, but I do run into situations where I need a laptop. The laptop I am using now is a Thinkpad from 2021 with Fedora. I actually really love this computer. My only real complain is that the webcam is pretty garbage.

So, I think I need a new computer. My choices are Windows laptops which have decent pricing with good specs, or Apple which is extremely expensive for what you get.

I'm really annoyed with Windows' ads, bloat, and general lack of privacy; specifically Recall. On the other hand, it is hard to justify spending an extra $400 on a Macbook air just to get a 1tb hard drive. My work files alone take up a little more than 200gb.

I guess this is just a rant. I'm not looking for any solutions as what I am really looking is the ability to use Linux for my work which is not an option at the moment.

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[–] blitzen 18 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (2 children)

The prices they charge for SSD upgrades is seriously laughably criminal. That said…
You could choose to get a MacBook Pro, which starts at a higher storage tier. It’s still going to be more expensive than the air with the same size SSD, but you’ll get an inch larger screen and it is a seriously good screen.
I’ve found after years of owning Linux and Mac laptops that I get years longer out of the Mac laptop, all things considered. They may be more up front, but dollars per year they come out ahead.
MacOS is UNIX based, so you should feel right at home in terminal.
Finally, take advantage of their education pricing. At least in the US, they don’t check for eligibility. So your $1399 1TB MacBook Air is now 1279. Feel a little bit better about that price?

Bonus. The trackpad is head and shoulders above anything I’ve ever used. For me, that’s worth the price of admission alone.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I loathe Windows, love Linux, but Macbooks are my machine of choice for laptops. My last one lasted over a decade of abuse and travelled all over the world with me. Perhaps another manufacturer does as good a job on their portables but I've yet to find one. I have a ThinkPad for work and by comparison it feels clunky as all hell on every level.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Yeah. We have a 2009 MacBook pro here that still works great, other than being horrendously out of date. I was getting 6+ hours of battery life out of it when it was new, which is pretty surprising in those days.

And OS X is pretty nice (or was for the life of that laptop, I haven't used it much since then), and still Unix.

When my wife needed a new laptop a few years ago, we got her a Mac, because it's just so much less maintenance for me, compared to Windows. (She uses some stuff that Linux does not yet support.)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The trackpad is head and shoulders above anything I’ve ever used. For me, that’s worth the price of admission alone.

I always find this argument odd - I absolutely hate Mac touchpads. Maybe I'm just too used to non-apple hardware or something. Not arguing with you, just pointing out that this may not be a "bonus" for everyone.

[–] blitzen 5 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Kinda why I put it as a “bonus,” as you’re right it’s subjective. For me, Apple trackpads are perfectly buttery smooth, and they get the accidental touch detection perfect (something my work Windows laptop drives me insane with.)

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

I recently got a (second hand) M1 MacBook Pro and the trackpad is surprisingly awful Compared to the last MacBook I had (a 2012 rMBP). I find it very awkward to drag things for some reason. I wonder if I am perhaps ”doing it wrong”

[–] blitzen 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Interesting. Is that the old chassis or the new (notch) chassis. My first thought is damage somehow on account of it being second-hand.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Notch. I don’t think there is any damage. It just seems to ”let go” whilst dragging much too easily

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

Settings > trackpad > click

You can change the force required to "click" the trackpad. That applies to dragging too.