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Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

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Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#11

Post by joshsharp »

I have a Mac and a PC and I feel more productive on a PC. I think the main reason for this is that I'm a "maximised windows" kinda guy and switching between windows and tasks feels much more smooth and simple for me in Windows. It may sound like a small thing but because the OS X dock deals with apps, not windows, it can be a pain switching between open windows (yes I'm aware of shortcut keys etc). Also the tendency of OS X to clutter the screen with open windows (which it seems most people are happy with) really frustrates me. Spaces alleviates this somewhat, but I much prefer something like Photoshop on Windows, for example. Much cleaner.

Having said that, the shell in OS X is really useful and a lot of Linux stuff you'll be using (Python for example) feels nicer in that shell than under Windows. Others here have commented on the "unix core" and it definitely is a benefit.

For me, though, I'm content to use Windows and Putty/VNC into my Linux box when required.

If you can, play with a Mac before you buy it. Developers tend to be a picky bunch so what works for others may not work for you.

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#12

Post by GeneralMaximus »

makecheck wrote: post #3

Mac, most definitely. For one, Mac OS X comes with a Python version installed. It also comes with a whole toolbox of Unix utilities, including a number of text editors. (There are many other 3rd party text editors for the Mac, too. Though I stick with "vim" or Xcode myself, both of which are included.) You can't understate the value of being able to pop down to the Unix layer when needed. There are lots of times wher…

I second that. Sure, you could get productive on Windows and Linux, but they're definitely not low maintainence. Plus, you could always install Windows using BootCamp or VMWare Fusion.

I wrote a blog entry on this. although it's from a hobbyists's perspective: http://blog.uncool.in/2009/03/10/thoughts-on-using-a-mac-as-...

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#13

Post by potatolicious »

blasdel wrote: post #6

The only disadvantage of picking a Mac is that (unless they spring for a Mac Pro) you can't stuff it to the gills with RAM. Until the latest generation of consumer Macs the limit was 4gb, though now if you spend $500 you can get 2x4gb DDR3 for an iMac or Macbook (though the Macbooks can only address 6gb). In the PC world, you can get 4x4gb DDR2 for a desktop Core2 motherboard for $350, or 6x2gb DDR3 for a new Nehalem…

You're doing web development, not building a supercomputer or trying to run your laptop as a high-performance server. That level of RAM is entirely unnecessary on a machine used for dev.

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#14

Post by fizx »

You need a *NIX system with some sort of port system (i.e. MacPorts, aptitude, etc.) and the ability to open VM's to test a bunch of the configurations that come up. Mac, Ubuntu both qualify. Windows is sorta possible via Cygwin.

Particularly since work is buying the computer, I'd get a Mac for the hardware, and then decide what OS to throw on it later. You can run whatever you want on a shiny new Macbook Pro.

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#15

Post by MrRage »

nx wrote: post #9
makecheck wrote: post #3

Mac, most definitely. For one, Mac OS X comes with a Python version installed. It also comes with a whole toolbox of Unix utilities, including a number of text editors. (There are many other 3rd party text editors for the Mac, too. Though I stick with "vim" or Xcode myself, both of which are included.) You can't understate the value of being able to pop down to the Unix layer when needed. There are lots of times wher…

Excuse me, "PC" does not mean "Windows computer", so I'd pick a PC and install some Linux distro.

On the same token, a Mac is a PC.

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#16

Post by warhammerkid »

My work just bought me a mac book pro, and coming from a souped up desktop running Linux, there were some upsides and downsides. Personally I would pick Apple hardware if you can get it and run OS X, but if you've never used Linux or OS X, odds are good that unless you really want to rethink how you use your computer, Windows is going to be the best choice for an operating system. One of the benefits of OS X, as others have mentioned, is the Unix core, but the applications for OS X are really awesome as well - Textmate, CSS Edit, Things. However, if you normally develop on Windows, the application centric vs window centric model of OS X takes some getting used to. Personally I prefer OS X's window manager over Windows, but that's just me.

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#17

Post by siculars »

get a mac pro with gobs of ram. thats what i got a couple years ago. use it to rock vm instances of windows/linux/solaris whatever. mac is, by far, the leading dev tool in this space.

going to various computer/dev conferences over the years it was hard to not notice the rise of apple laptops to the point where they are at least 60% of all laptops seen at these conferences.

nevertheless, whatever you do - mac or pc - be sure to get at least two monitors. studies have shown, and i can attest, that multiple monitors is the number one thing you can do to increase your productivity.

my rig: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9864615@N06/756229467/

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#18

Post by MrRage »

potatolicious wrote: post #13
blasdel wrote: post #6

The only disadvantage of picking a Mac is that (unless they spring for a Mac Pro) you can't stuff it to the gills with RAM. Until the latest generation of consumer Macs the limit was 4gb, though now if you spend $500 you can get 2x4gb DDR3 for an iMac or Macbook (though the Macbooks can only address 6gb). In the PC world, you can get 4x4gb DDR2 for a desktop Core2 motherboard for $350, or 6x2gb DDR3 for a new Nehalem…

You're doing web development, not building a supercomputer or trying to run your laptop as a high-performance server. That level of RAM is entirely unnecessary on a machine used for dev.

I disagree. Doing web dev, you could easily be running a browser with multiple tabs, web servers, db servers, and a handful of virtual machines all at the same time. The more RAM you have, the smoother it all runs. That is unless you like nice little pauses when you switch apps. If you have a 32 bit system, you should have 3GB if you can. 64 bit, throw in 6 or 8 GB. Memory's cheap.

Re: Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

#19

Post by sirsean »

Pick the PC.

If you happen to be starting at the place I work, the only way I can get a Mac is if new employees say they want a PC. Otherwise I'm stuck. I don't know if I'm next on the list, but even if not that'd get me one step closer to my Mac.

So, yes. That's why you should pick a PC.

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