Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#11

Post by eugenejen » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:15 PM UTC

I am speaking from hard customization aspect. I like MacBook better than MacBook Pro in this domain. It is relatively painless to replace hard drive and memory inside a MacBook. Of course I need to do some research to know the power consumption of hard drive and memory before I ordered replacement, so I can avoid overheat inside my MacBook. MacBook pro is great in its dedicated graphic chip and better range of view angle of its TFT display. But to replace a hard drive, it takes pain to remove all screws and lift up cables around the disk. And from what I read from Guy Kawasaki's blog, you can't return a beefed up MacBook back to Apple if you feel it is not what you want.

I went for MacBook because it is painless to add memory and upgrade disk. And I don't mind its less than perfect graphic performance and display because I use external LCD monitor when I can. It is smaller in size and light in weight so it is easier to carry around and it is 50% cheaper than MacBook Pro. I get what I paid for but also a little bit less hassle to mod it.

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#12

Post by darjen » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:17 PM UTC

utx00 wrote: post #9

You're not missing out on anything, there are no significant advantages (specially not over a t61) I sold my powerbook on ebay, and I'm still happy with my t42 running gutsy as well.

Almost all of my coworkers use Thinkpads. I started off on a T43, and have recently been upagraded to T60. Would never trade it in for a mac.

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#13

Post by ibgeek » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:18 PM UTC

kirubakaran wrote: post #7

tokipin wrote: post #6

pg said that Mac lets him drag and drop code from vi to repl - and he was very happy about it you can do that on any OS with the GUI shell for Vim (with Vim running in Vi compatible mode if that matters) [edit]: actually it doesn't look like it's possible. i could have sworn it was though i'm guessing the iPod has something to do with macs becoming more popular

I tried this now but it didn't work for me. I must be missing something. Please help. I am running GVIM (I am at work so I am on Windows). I am trying to drag and drop a block of code to Python REPL. It is not happening.

Ummm... copy and paste?

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#14

Post by iowahansen » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:18 PM UTC

I'm generally a person that values function more than form, but I have to say it is a real daily joy to work on gorgeous hardware like a Macbook Pro. The reason Macs are more expensive because they only offer high-end hardware specs. A similar spec'ed Dell comes roughly at the same price. If you are hacker, always use the best tools there are. This is an invest in yourself.

Hardware aside, the real reason you should switch is OSX and the applications around it. Stuff just works. Sounds like a marketing message but its true. You can focus on accomplishing the task rather than wrestling with shortcomings and crutches of the environment. Application developers on the Mac also have the philosophy to integrate with existing services as much as possible, which makes a huge difference, because most of the stuff you use is able to talk to each other. Compare that to Windows where every application/service is its own island.

Imho, OSX is by far the best platform out there right now bar none. It's amazing to see how even non-hackers are blown away once they switch.

You should too.

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#15

Post by jgrahamc » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:20 PM UTC

moog wrote: post #4

Is there a cumulative reduction in friction everywhere? I'd say yes. I've used Unix, PC and Mac for years and have always found I get more done and am happier when it's on a Mac.

Agreed, I feel the same way about my MBP. Basically, I've used all sorts of things for years (going back to CP/M machines, via DOS and every flavor of Windows, SuSE, Fedora, Ubuntu, ... ) and the Mac is the right combination:

1. Stuff that I need to get done just works (e.g. sync my Bluetooth phone to address book, hook up to wireless networks, do backups)

2. Aesthetically pleasing. Don't discount this when it comes to hackers... we like elegant code and machines.

3. Unix underneath... no loss of power.

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#16

Post by ibgeek » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:21 PM UTC

You shouldn't make decisions like this based on hype or other people's opinions. It's personal thing. You are the one who has to be happy and productive on the platform -- no one else -- so why let someone else determine what you use?

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#17

Post by kirubakaran » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:24 PM UTC

ibgeek wrote: post #13

kirubakaran wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried this now but it didn't work for me. I must be missing something. Please help. I am running GVIM (I am at work so I am on Windows). I am trying to drag and drop a block of code to Python REPL. It is not happening.

Ummm... copy and paste?

Mac supposedly allows you to drag&drop code without explicit copy&paste.

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#18

Post by spydez » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:28 PM UTC

ibgeek wrote: post #13

kirubakaran wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried this now but it didn't work for me. I must be missing something. Please help. I am running GVIM (I am at work so I am on Windows). I am trying to drag and drop a block of code to Python REPL. It is not happening.

Ummm... copy and paste?

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V isn't exactly the same thing as drag 'n' drop...

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#19

Post by ibgeek » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:28 PM UTC

kirubakaran wrote: post #17

ibgeek wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ummm... copy and paste?

Mac supposedly allows you to drag&drop code without explicit copy&paste.

That may be true but that is such a minor thing. I use OS X and Linux... definitely not something that ever makes a difference.

Re: Ask YC: Why do you recommend a Macbook?

#20

Post by ibgeek » Fri, Mar 07, 2008, 7:30 PM UTC

spydez wrote: post #18

ibgeek wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ummm... copy and paste?

Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V isn't exactly the same thing as drag 'n' drop...

On my Macbook, my windows often always overlap because the resolution just isn't high enough to "stretch out." So, I find that dragging and dropping is actually more difficult due to having to switch windows.