Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: MAC vs PC for a developer?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 102 posts

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

#41

Post by vorador »

hs wrote: post #22
joshsharp wrote: post #11

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…

tiled wm like ion3, wmii, dwm open new windows automatically maximized no need to use mouse to scroll, move, resize, min, max window ... huge time saver

And don't forget stumpwm (http://www.nongnu.org/stumpwm/), the common lisp window manager !

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

#42

Post by umjames »

joshsharp wrote: post #11

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…

I think the advantage of having non-maximized windows is that dragging and dropping data from one app (or even one window) to another is a lot easier and more intuitive without going through the Windows task bar.

It's also easier to do something like read directions on a webpage while you execute those directions in another window without hiding it when accidentally clicking in the browser.

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

#44

Post by _b8r0 »

I also do a lot of Python development and a bit of HTML/CSS work. I recently had to toss up the pros and cons of an MBP versus a Dell XPSM1530. The 1530 won on the grounds that it was £700 cheaper than the Mac, more powerful and a better screen. The related cons (Vista, being a Dell) aren't so bad and I'll upgrade to Win7 when it comes out.

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

#46

Post by Tichy »

GeneralMaximus wrote: post #12
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-...

Ubuntu is as low maintenance as it gets imo.

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

#47

Post by Tichy »

Since so many pros and cons have already mentioned, I'll just add that the Mac keyboards are not so super for coding (at least the german ones). It doesn't have "Home", "Page Down", "Page Up" or "Del", other keys like "~" and "\" require weird keyboard combos ("\" = alt+shift+"/"). Probably not an issue if you are a whiz with Emacs or Vim, but I tend to not remember many keyboard shortcuts, so atm it still bothers me occasionally (I am fairly new to OS X).

The MacPorts package manager works surprisingly well, but I still miss my Ubuntu when I have to install other stuff than the Unix things.

Also, the preinstalled programming languages on OS X might get in the way of the ones you install with MacPorts. Another case where I prefer Ubuntu, because it reduces the number of "app managers" messing with the system.

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

#48

Post by litewulf »

jrockway wrote: post #24
zacharydanger wrote: post #10

PC running Linux is your best bet. Take the money they save versus buying a Mac and use it for a second monitor which I find to be one of the most important development tools. Having your code and browser open at the same time will make your life that much easier.

I disagree. I find virtual desktops much easier to use than looking at a monitor that isn't in my field of vision. I would rather press a key than make my body uncomfortable. (For this technique to work, though, you need to be very comfortable with the keyboard, and you obviously have to disable desktop-switch eye candy. Not a problem with xmonad ;)

I use virtual desktops and use multiple screens. I find it much easier to glance back and forth between two screens (or three, or four) than to switch virtual desktops and locate something. (This may be a training effect though)

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

#49

Post by intranation »

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…

Mostly agreed, but beware that the UNIX layer on OS X is BSD-based rather than GNU/Linux-based, so it's not exactly the same as Ubuntu or Debian etc.

The biggest win on OS X for me is all the slickness of the desktop (Ubuntu doesn't even come close), and adding easy virtualisation to drop into any OS you want (my choice is VMWare Fusion, but Parallels or Virtual Box work too). Best of both worlds.

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

#50

Post by graemep »

intranation wrote: post #49
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…

Mostly agreed, but beware that the UNIX layer on OS X is BSD-based rather than GNU/Linux-based, so it's not exactly the same as Ubuntu or Debian etc. The biggest win on OS X for me is all the slickness of the desktop (Ubuntu doesn't even come close), and adding easy virtualisation to drop into any OS you want (my choice is VMWare Fusion, but Parallels or Virtual Box work too). Best of both worlds.

Desktops are a matter of personal preference. I am a Linux Mint (Ubuntu with some additions) user. I have used other people's Macs occasionally and I dislike the desktop.

The advantage Linux has is that if you do not like the desktop you can switch to another.

Post reply on HN