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

Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

71–80 of 628 posts

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#71

Post by cranium »

It saddens me that Apple used to make (almost) perfect laptops – price aside – and it's no longer the case, leaving a bunch of geeks looking for a replacement. In 2017 after searching the market, filtering on required specs and reading reviews, I came to the conclusion that there are no perfect laptop: every time there's a compromise to be made.

For me, I had requirements that were previously met in the MBP: good battery life, good processing power, and not too bulky. I didn't really care about camera or touch screen or fingerprint reader. Based on this, I finally found the Dell Precision 5520 which is the workstation version of the Dell XPS 15". Everything was configurable (OS, CPU, GPU, RAM, battery, screen) and with a good build quality and small form factor. Ubuntu 16.04 LTS was an option, meaning drivers were configured and supported by Dell – a relief, after some experiences using Linux on laptops years ago. Now I've changed the OS to Manjaro, added a 2nd RAM stick for a total of 32GB, configured a bit the power settings with `powertop` and I'm really happy with my portable powerhorse lasting >10h when coding.

As for the Dell client service, I happened to use it a month ago because my 2 years old battery was now swollen. As I took the 3-year warranty extension "Next business day", I called on Monday and Tuesday the technician was there to change battery and touchpad (that can sometimes break when the battery swells) and it was all. Fast and convenient !

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#72

Post by llampx »

rpastuszak wrote: post #61

I’d gladly switch hardware, but software is a bit of a problem: - yes, I need a *nix OS - I need to run Adobe CC (Photoshop, Lightroom) and Sketch I code for iOS occasionally (be it via Unity or XCode). I don’t mind tweaking my OS and making it mine. What I do mind is having to tweak stuff when I don’t have the time to do it, but things are broken. Did anyone manage to work with these tools efficiently here on a linu…

Windows and windows subsystem for Linux

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#73

Post by perlgeek »

amcrouch wrote: post #68

ThinkPads every day of the week. I have a T430 that I have owned for about 6 years and a new P52 which is my daily work machine. Both running Linux with zero issues. I liked the comment below describing Hotels (Mac) Vs home (ThinkPads). It's true that if you can be bothered to tweak and install some stuff then you end up with something of your own. Your way. Never used Macs as old enough to remember the "no one got s…

Seconded. Happy T480 user here.

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#74

Post by q-base »

Not really giving an alternative. But I have just bought a fully specced Mid 2014 MBP. I already have a T460s which I cannot decide whether to replace with a X1 Carbon or wait for a new scissor-style keyboard for MBP. But as I ran into the issue of not being able to upload React Native Expo Apps to TestFlight I had to buy a used MacBook.

I must say that even though I an very fond of the Lenovo keyboards - and they are great. The overall feel of a MacBook is just better. The keyboard pre-butterfly is one of the best ever. The trackpad is another level even though sitting with the T460s and T470s at work, it seemed like their trackpads was on par, but they really are not.

The X1 Carbon should be up there, but there is just something about the full experience of the product where MBP wins out. That is at least my experience going a bit back and forth.

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#75

Post by [deleted] »

burntoutfire wrote: post #59
mcv wrote: post #51

With all the bad reviews about Apple, I didn't want to replace my old 17" MacBook Pro with a new Macbook (also, they don't do 17" anymore), so I just ordered a Thinkpad X1 Extreme instead. Thinkpad has had a stellar reputation for sturdy quality since forever, and the X1 Extreme seems like a fairly good compromise between power, size, and other concerns. It's not 17" because the only 17" Thinkpads are the monstrous P…

> I intend to make it quieter by repasting and undervolting >Also, if it breaks down during the first 3 years, I get on-site support, Aren't these two statements mutually exclusive?

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#76

Post by nabla9 »

mherrmann wrote: post #48

I switched from MBP to a Dell XPS 13 with Ubuntu. I compare the experience to living in a hotel vs. living at home [1]. In a hotel (=on Mac), everything is stylish and cared for, but you have very little freedom to change things. At home (=on Linux), you need to do the dishes yourself but there's no external agenda. It's simply yours. I'm very happy with the switch. Though I'm on (Debian+) Xfce now instead of Ubuntu…

I have new Dell XPS 13 with Ubuntu and I'm satisfied with it. Camera has moved in these new models.

Dell Thunderbolt Dock (TB16) is is disappointment. Others report problems as well.

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#77

Post by ur-whale »

Left the Apple ecosystem 10 years ago, never looked back.

My day to day work is done on a 15 inch LG Gram + Ubutu 18.04.

I just love it: super lightweight, fast, rugged (been dropped easyly 10 times, still working fine)

The dev env is vastly superior to what I had on my MBP where I constantly found myself struggling with out-of-date software and OSS stuff that just plain doesn't work on the mac.

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#78

Post by andrewnicolalde »

chillee wrote: post #52
longtom wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I also moved to Windows 10 and X1 Carbon (6th Gen) after using Apple products all my life and I've never looked back. That being said, my X1 also went three times to repair. I guess people have simply unlearnt how to manufacture reliable products due to the immense complexity that is involved by now, combined with a planned obsolescence mentality. It is shitty wherever you go; it's just a bit more shitty with Apple c…

IMO, if you're buying a higher end laptop it's worth shelling out for the on site warranty/accident protection. They'll send a technician to your location (typically within the week) and replace whatever parts needed for free. So you'll have essentially 0 time without your laptop. It's been excellent (used it twice: fixed a broken keycap, and a spilled drink), and gives me a ton of peace of mind.

Huge +1 for this. On-site support has saved my XPS (and by extension me) a few times now. If you’re going to go for a Dell laptop I’d get ProSupport or better.

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#79

Post by mkl »

alpaca128 wrote: post #43
rcarmo wrote: post #22

I have been using a Rev1 Surface Laptop as a development machine for over a year - here are my notes after six months: - https://taoofmac.com/space/blog/2019/05/11/2030 Full disclosure: I work at Microsoft. I also still use Macs (and will keep using them regardless-for instance, I use a 5K iMac a lot of the time I work remotely) and have kept a Mac-centric blog for sixteen years, so I think I can be pretty straightfo…

The problem with Surface devices is that they're irrepairable once something goes wrong. I had issues with my Surface Pro and Microsoft support basically said "too bad, buy a new one". That's why I went for a T-series Thinkpad and am still using it. It's not as lightweight or slim but in exchange more powerful than equally priced ultrabooks/convertibles and easy to repair and upgrade. That's a trade-off I'm happy to…

Counterpoint: my two year old Surface Pro 4 developed a battery-swelling issue, and Microsoft replaced the whole laptop right away (well, as soon as I worked out how to contact the right level of tech-support).

Re: Ask HN: Feasible Alternative to the MacBook Pro?

#80

Post by arvinsim »

tasuki wrote: post #67
Doubleslash wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

X1 is a nice laptop. The problem is it's weak CPU. Apple manages to crunch a whole different tier of CPU (h(q) series vs. U series for Lenovo) in the same form factor.

I'm a big fan of the U series cpus: They consume very little energy, which leads to less overheating, less fan noise, and longer battery life. (Conversely, the H series cpus consume a lot of energy: the laptop overheats quickly and has to slow down anyway.)

Now it makes sense why may 2018 MBP always gets hot while my previous 2015 only rarely does.
Post reply on HN