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Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

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Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#181

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While Macs have fantastic build quality, there are now premium-level PCs that are catching up to it. The new EliteBook Folio is a Core M-powered, Thunderbolt-containing replacement for the 12" MacBook (not Pro); the Razer series appear to be built just as well as Macs from my time with them hands-on as well. Personally, I don't care so much about "build quality" in terms of materials used. If the hardware works I'm h…

The hardest part for me was finding a 15" PC laptop without the retarded number pad. I'm quite happy with my Dell M5510, but it was basically the only alternative to a MBP.

There's people like me who want the number pad. Also I can't live without separate home & end keys.

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#182

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> gives you everything that linux offers that you would need Homebrew is dope, but it's still a bolted-on package manager. I also hate hate hate that Apple have removed the ability to theme the OSX UI (RIP Flavours). If I'm going to stare at my dev screen all day it should look how I want it to.

You are free to disable SIP and do whatever runtime injection or other modifications to binaries you please, provided you have the knowledge to do so. Just because they ship it in a default mode doesn't mean they stop you from cracking it open if that's your desire.

You're seriously suggesting that I should theme OSX manually using a hex editor?

Until the new equivalent of Flavours[1] is available, theming OSX is dead in the water.

[1] http://flavours.interacto.net/

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#183
post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Razer Blade

Are you able to have a functioning linux installation with a razer blade, without doing too much sorcery? For example, this is the case for plenty of Dells that I have tried. I have never used a razer blade, but I have been through the forums and it seems that having linux work properly is not that straightforward.

I have a 2015 Razer Blade Pro and it worked very well under Ubuntu 16.04. The touchpad, touch screen, wifi, etc. all worked well, at least on newer Linux kernels (the trackpad had issues on older kernels). I did some 3D graphics work, and the Nvidia drivers were much better than other drivers I've used on Linux. There wasn't really any "sorcery" involved from my experience; I just installed from the official iso.

I followed this guy's blog for some further configuration: https://alexcabal.com/get-a-working-touchpad-on-a-14-razer-b...

My main problem was that battery life was pretty abysmal under Linux. With Windows, I would get 4-5 hours under light usage, but under Ubuntu I would pretty much only get ~2-2.5 hours, even without doing much on it. Stressing the CPU/GPU made it die even faster. But that thing isn't really known for its battery life anyways.

Unfortunately I don't have Ubuntu installed on it anymore because I couldn't get Windows and Ubuntu to happily coexist side-by-side. Windows (10) always gave me a boot failure when Ubuntu was installed next to it.

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#184

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Build quality. It's difficult to find a computer that matches the quality of a MacBook for fit and finish, trackpad quality, and battery life. I haven't used the new one, but the 2015 models were among the best hardware on the market - regardless of what OS was installed.

Razer Blade

My issue with Razer: As far as I can tell, they only ship laptops with the country's keyboard layout. I move around a lot and always buy laptops with US keyboard layout. At the moment, I'm in Germany and can only order Razer Blades with the awful German layout :( I know, pretty niche, but both Apple and Dell allow you to do this.

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#185

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Err, Apple was a willing participant in the NSA's PRISM program.

Someone adding a companies name to a slide is not proof of being a willing participant in anything.

Alright, why don't you tell me all the proof you have that Apple was not a participant in the programme?

The NSA talks about them in internal documents, that they have absolutely zero incentive to lie on, that Apple is a part of PRISM. Why would the NSA lie about that on an internal document.

Don't you think there would be documents saying "We tried to get Apple to cooperate, but they didn't. Until they do, these are the steps, techniques, and hacks we will use against their technology." I don't remember seeing any such documents.

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#186

A more accurate description is that Linux isn't compatible with the new Macbook Pro. It's not Apple's job to make their laptop compatible with Linux.

Neither is any of the other manufacturers and yet, there is a public outcry if a notebook runs only the latest version of Windows. The real question is if Apple missed providing drivers or if it is deliberate.

there is a public outcry if a notebook runs only the latest version of Windows

The is no public outcry for the Acer Cloudbook I bought which tolerates Linux about as well as these new MacBooks.† Acer provides no drivers or other help. I don't see any reason to expect Apple to go beyond Acer to support unintended operating systems.‡

† It has trackpad driver problems, EFI mysteries, and a broken APIC (from Linux's viewpoint). With a couple hours hacking about you can get Debian installed, but each new kernel release is a crap shoot that can end in an unbootable machine for some as yet undiagnosed malady. Recent kernels result in it instantly deciding it has overheated and must power down immediately.

‡ I also don't see Acer submitting patches to my operating system, though that would be shocking.

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#187
post #86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

At one point Linus's machine of choice was a Macbook Air.

Linus probably had easier time handling incompatibilities with the hardware. Most of us are not such proficient Linux hackers.

It seems to be pretty well supported:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MacBookAir

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/MacBook

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#188
post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They have incredible amount of cash reserves. An investment in Linux drivers would go against their mission of OSX penetration. It has nothing to do with being unable to do it.

You can't just throw money at a problem and it magically gets solved. Adding additional requirements puts strain on your core team, there's no way around it. If you could 100% compartmentalize this, have people working on it independently, maybe you could minimize impact, but how can you justify that spending? They know the open-source community is capable of working to fix problems like this.

Seems to me your statements are contradictory. The open-source community has no contact with Apple's core team. Either the open source community can't do it, or Apple could do it without adding strain to its core team.

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#189

A more accurate description is that Linux isn't compatible with the new Macbook Pro. It's not Apple's job to make their laptop compatible with Linux.

Two things being compatible with each other is a symmetric relation, so the order doesn't matter.

When describing abstract entities maybe, in real life, order always matters.

E.g. if you sell an office suite and it doesn't support DOC and XLS files, it's your fault and users will call you for it. It's not Microsoft's job to go make sure Word and Excel work with your office suite.

Re: Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux

#190

A more accurate description is that Linux isn't compatible with the new Macbook Pro. It's not Apple's job to make their laptop compatible with Linux.

Two things being compatible with each other is a symmetric relation, so the order doesn't matter.

no, it's not
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