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Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

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Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#31

Post by krutzger »

npolet wrote: post #24
yarinr wrote: post #14

I'd look into the Dell XPS. Its build quality competes with the MacBook, it's one of the smallest laptops of it size (either 13 or 15) and the 4k screen is absolutely stunning (although some prefer fhd for the improved battery life). I got mine recently and I'm loving it.

I've got a little 13" XPS Developer Edition and it's a really solid option. The build quality is perfect and I've yet to come across any issues with it. Use daily for web development in work and for personal projects. With an i7 it runs really smooth. I opted for the FHD option for the longer battery life, but would have gone UHD if I didn't mind about battery life. It's really nice to see Dell make Linux part of it'…

I think the Linux version of XPS is also $100 cheaper

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#32

Post by mamon »

contingencies wrote: post #25
krutzger wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, you went from osx to Gentoo? It's like going from using computers to designing your own cpus... Just install Ubuntu and be done with it

Those who do not understand Unix are condemned to reinvent it, poorly. AFAIK, Gentoo is the best full-control Linux distro out there, possibly only rivalled by arch. It's not for everyone, but I do want that level of control. Using OSX I constantly run up against annoying irritations and have to spin up special VMs, which is tedious. I gave it a good go - almost seven years. Enough. IMHO ZFS root (snapshots and rewin…

Unfortunately, with Linux "full control" usually means "you'll have to manually edit every single configuration file before your computer becomes barely usable"

That's why I prefer distros that work out of the box, like Ubuntu, or Fedora.

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#33

Post by contingencies »

mamon wrote: post #32
contingencies wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Those who do not understand Unix are condemned to reinvent it, poorly. AFAIK, Gentoo is the best full-control Linux distro out there, possibly only rivalled by arch. It's not for everyone, but I do want that level of control. Using OSX I constantly run up against annoying irritations and have to spin up special VMs, which is tedious. I gave it a good go - almost seven years. Enough. IMHO ZFS root (snapshots and rewin…

Unfortunately, with Linux "full control" usually means "you'll have to manually edit every single configuration file before your computer becomes barely usable" That's why I prefer distros that work out of the box, like Ubuntu, or Fedora.

It's a matter of perspective and goals. If I just wanted a browser and access to VMs or cloud environments I'd use a tablet and a bluetooth keyboard. You can't learn things like changes in kernel configuration options, boot processes, graphical environments, etc. simply by using someone else's default configuration, only by reading and configuring yourself. Are these things critical? Not for most people, but they certainly inform my work in many ways and I would not consider time invested since the 1990s to have been wasted. Many people enjoy learning and are able to leverage knowledge for creativity, I am merely one of them.

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#34

Post by krutzger »

ajford wrote: post #26
krutzger wrote: post #20

I see a lot of ThinkPads and Dells here, but how about hp? Are they good for Linux?

I've heard decent things about the HP Spectre, but it was fairly new, either a 2016 or 2017 model. Some minor quirks with Ubuntu and older kernels, but I think they got 16.04 or 16.10 working well.

Sounds good. Spectre 360 looks as nice as the Dell XPS, if not better.

I also think they are a bit cheaper, but I'm not sure about hps track record regarding quality and Linux support.

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#35

Post by nwmcsween »

contingencies wrote: post #25
krutzger wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously, you went from osx to Gentoo? It's like going from using computers to designing your own cpus... Just install Ubuntu and be done with it

Those who do not understand Unix are condemned to reinvent it, poorly. AFAIK, Gentoo is the best full-control Linux distro out there, possibly only rivalled by arch. It's not for everyone, but I do want that level of control. Using OSX I constantly run up against annoying irritations and have to spin up special VMs, which is tedious. I gave it a good go - almost seven years. Enough. IMHO ZFS root (snapshots and rewin…

OT but I used Gentoo since about 2003, the issue for me anyways was Q/A of the packages and migration when updating old systems. I was constantly fixing or working around issues.

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#36

Post by CyberFonic »

contingencies wrote: post #33
mamon wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unfortunately, with Linux "full control" usually means "you'll have to manually edit every single configuration file before your computer becomes barely usable" That's why I prefer distros that work out of the box, like Ubuntu, or Fedora.

It's a matter of perspective and goals. If I just wanted a browser and access to VMs or cloud environments I'd use a tablet and a bluetooth keyboard. You can't learn things like changes in kernel configuration options, boot processes, graphical environments, etc. simply by using someone else's default configuration, only by reading and configuring yourself. Are these things critical? Not for most people, but they cer…

Along those lines the recent ChromeBooks are also worth consideration. You can even run full Linux using Crouton if you are willing to make a small compromise on the highest levels of security.

I have tried using tablets and BT keyboards, it works well, but I prefer the all in one form factor of a simple notebook. BTW the Lenovo tablets with the flip out stand are terrific on the desk and to hold. That rounded battery compartment makes it feel like a spiral bound book when using it with Kindle.

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#37

Post by CyberFonic »

sigmonsays wrote: post #3

I too am interested in this. Not sure what your platform choice is, linux or windows, but this post is all with a linux bias. I have a 15" macbook pro from late 2013. I do not upgrade computers very often and expect them to last a long time. Laptops are especially hard because I am also a linux user who has never operated a linux laptop. The departure from Mac leaves me with Windows which I will not ever operate. I'v…

As a programmer, I find going from OS X to Linux to be smoother due to both being *nix derived. I know Windows now has Linux facilities, but from a programming perspective the library situation is still a bit sloppy. Linux ecosystem (I prefer Debian based, e.g. Ubuntu) is far more mature.

Of course if you are looking at playing games and being able to plug in just about any piece of USB hardware, then Windows is always going to be better supported.

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#38

Post by CyberFonic »

orionstein wrote: post #11

I'm running Arch on my Surface Pro 3 for work. It works pretty well for me. Some hurdles, but it's nice to have the control.

Did you wipe off Windows and install Arch from scratch? I have been considering that, but haven't yet found any encouraging reviews on how well that goes. Especially: can you use the pen?

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#39

Post by bproven »

delhanty wrote: post #29
bproven wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Some of the issues I had with 9550 XPS: - battery swelling - fan spinning on high speed for no apparent reason (not due to CPU load) - random wakeups while sleeping (happened in my bag once and the laptop almost overheated :( ). This was eventually fixed via BIOS updates - lots and lots of BIOS updates to fix all kinds of issues- at least 1-2 every month since its initial release. Although I am glad they are being fi…

Thanks - v. informative. Do you know how well Dell Precision does for international warranty and support?

I have no idea - you would have to check with Dell Support

Re: Ask HN: What to replace my MacBook with?

#40

Post by pimeys »

ajford wrote: post #23
dpark wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> With the thinkpads, the smaller screen and lower resolution will take some getting used to What takes getting used to is that Thinkpad screens are trash. :( I’ve been so disappointed in them. They start mediocre and decline rapidly with blotching and ghosting. I’ve used Thinkpads for my personal laptop and my work laptop and refuse to own another. My manager has a recent Thinkpad with an OLED screen which seems pre…

Gotta say, I've used a fair number of thinkpads across the last 10 years, and I've never seen any blotching or ghosting. I will admit that the older models had fairly crappy resolutions (I mean 1366x768 and 1600x800 was crap, and Lenovo held on to those resolutions far longer than they should), and pretty dim (I could barely use my X200t and X201 in the shade outside), but I feel most models in the last 2-3 years hav…

I have the 25th anniversary model and while the screen is not the best colour wise, it's still much better than the older panels and for programming it's bright and sharp with no ghosting or blotching.

The keyboard and battery life are both best in class. Of course when the battery is worn out, you can buy a new one. This is possible with ThinkPads.

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