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Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

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Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#91

Post by slantyyz »

Matachines wrote: post #49
antirez wrote: post #23

There are many good hardware choices at this point in order to replace a Macbook. What is entirely not clear is what software to use to replace a Macbook.

This is why I'm probably going to opt for a maxed out 2015 Macbook Pro. Yes, I know I'm paying for "old" hardware but I don't use VMs or compile anything heavy so it should last me a while. After selling my current one it should come out to about $1000 so not too bad. I'm just too invested in macOS in terms of apps, comfortableness, muscle memory, etc. I actually really like it as well.

I made the switch to Windows, and while it did require some research to ensure that my workflows stayed pretty much the same, it didn't take long at all (days, not weeks) to develop new muscle memory. I struggle using a Mac now.

Your real switching cost, however, is in your apps. If you're dependent on something that is Mac only, it is really, really hard to switch.

Most of my core apps are multiplatform (Sublime, Slack, 1Password, Evernote etc.) but I was concerned about Terminal and Aperture. Terminal was easily addressed by Cmder (and now you can use Window's Linux shell instead), and Apple EOL'ed Aperture, which meant I had to find a new RAW tool (I use DxO Optics Pro now, which is cross platform).

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#92

Post by gtaylor »

barongrounds wrote: post #33
marklyon wrote: post #2

In addition to Lenovo, consider the XPS 13 and 15. While Dell's quality has been somewhat inconsistent as they launched the line, they stepped up and took care of the problem I encoutered with my XPS 13 and it's quickly become my favorite laptop ever. Great battery life, super portable, an external battery for long flights and an AMAZING screen. It even supports touch, which I don't use all the time, but find nice to…

Make sure you replace the worthless Broadcom wifi chip with an Intel. It's puzzling that Dell would cheap out on an otherwise excellent machine. At least swapping them out is an easy job.

Fwiw, the broadcom chip is supported and works fine with Linux on my XPS 15. No extra work required.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#93

Post by detaro »

hxegon wrote: post #88
antisthenes wrote: post #80

My recent experience with Lenovo shunned me away from Thinkpads for the foreseeable future and from Lenovo in general as a customer. After placing an order for a Thinkpad that I needed urgently, they, without explanation or email canceled the order the next day. Trying to contact customer service, I found out that their online chat employees have no access to customer order history, because "the functionality isn't t…

Seriously, why is their site such a trash fire? Across 4 computers I've not once seen it work well. I'm thinking about getting a new computer, but even though I loved my old x230 I'm not thinking about getting a lenovo now because I can't research the laptops on lenovos own site!

Yeah, the site is horrible. Everybody I know orders their Lenovos from resellers because of it (added bonus that you can get better/cheaper configurations Lenovo doesn't sell, swap 3G modules for extra SSDs and stuff like that)

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#94

Post by gtaylor »

ceor4 wrote: post #42
marklyon wrote: post #2

In addition to Lenovo, consider the XPS 13 and 15. While Dell's quality has been somewhat inconsistent as they launched the line, they stepped up and took care of the problem I encoutered with my XPS 13 and it's quickly become my favorite laptop ever. Great battery life, super portable, an external battery for long flights and an AMAZING screen. It even supports touch, which I don't use all the time, but find nice to…

How's linux support in the XPS 15?

It was rough when it first came out, but works well now. The thunderbolt dock is also working now.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#95

Post by sliken »

callahad wrote: post #36
fluxsauce wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Edit - never mind, found it. Dell has some dead links. I've been keeping an eye on the XPS 13, but it looks like the "Developer Edition" has gone away. Do you know what the current equivalent is?

For others: The XPS 13 "Developer Edition" has been rolled into the mainline XPS 13, and only appears under the "Shop for Work" facet of their online store. For folks in the US, visit http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/xps-13-9360-laptop/pd and filter by Operating System -> Ubuntu

Be warned that all the kaby lake XPS13 have MUCH slower GPUs then the previous edition with the IRIS 540 graphics.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#96

Post by hxegon »

jwatte wrote: post #59

Just get a Razer Blade. It's the same weight and form factor as a MBP, but black and with a real GPU. Run Windows 10 if you just want to get work done, or Debian or something if you need metal Linux (as opposed to VMs)

Also take a look at the razor blade stealth for something cheaper, if you don't need a dedicated graphics card. (although you can hook up a razer core if you need one)

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#98

Post by spott »

antirez wrote: post #23

There are many good hardware choices at this point in order to replace a Macbook. What is entirely not clear is what software to use to replace a Macbook.

Good recommendations? I can't think of any that have the reputation of Apple when it comes to support or build quality, but I also haven't looked beyond apple for almost 10 years.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#99

Post by vetinari »

barongrounds wrote: post #33
marklyon wrote: post #2

In addition to Lenovo, consider the XPS 13 and 15. While Dell's quality has been somewhat inconsistent as they launched the line, they stepped up and took care of the problem I encoutered with my XPS 13 and it's quickly become my favorite laptop ever. Great battery life, super portable, an external battery for long flights and an AMAZING screen. It even supports touch, which I don't use all the time, but find nice to…

Make sure you replace the worthless Broadcom wifi chip with an Intel. It's puzzling that Dell would cheap out on an otherwise excellent machine. At least swapping them out is an easy job.

The Linux version has the Intel wifi by default. Only Windows version has the Broadcom.

Re: Apple Sucks Now, Here’s a ThinkPad Buyer’s Guide

#100

Post by criddell »

mst wrote: post #70
criddell wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's the same company though. I have two Thinkpads (I'm typing on a T520 right now) and today I wouldn't buy another. Even if you want to give them a pass for unethical behavior, Lenovo still installs a lot of extra software that you don't really need. If you do buy a Thinkpad, I recommend reformatting the machine and doing a stock Windows install.

Personally, I've found the Thinkpad windows build to work better for me by far than a vanilla one (especially the projector stuff, which generally makes me a very happy bunny at conferences). However, given there's a recovery partition and you don't wipe it while doing a stock install, "try both and see which you prefer" is clearly an option.

That's good advice.

If you don't want to wipe, you can selectively install and uninstall the Lenovo software. I have a 12.5" Thinkpad Yoga that I've uninstalled lots of stuff and it works great now. Some things, like Lenovo's power management tools, didn't get along very well with the standard Windows tools.

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