Quoted post unavailable.
How do I run Linux on a macbook? Also where can I buy one without paying the macos license fee?
Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
261–270 of 813 posts
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#262** "I don't want to use a Mac" ** "I've had these problems with Mac" Reasonable response: Cool, use what works for you. EDIT> Here are some suggestions that match your constraints. Annoying response 1: You should reconsider because Mac works great for me. Annoying response 2: Your problems aren't real problems. Annoying response 3: Let's live debug your problems in this thread to see if they're real problems. Guys. I…
One thing that deters me a bit from using macOS is the slower docker performance compared to linux. Anyone here have workarounds for this?
Using VirtioFS and the new virtualization framework makes it bearable.
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#263Quoted post unavailable.
Controversial opinion: Windows is better for development now that WSL exists. Not a fan of using MacOS' proprietary flavor of it. And windows computers will have 5nm processors soon enough with comparable performance to m1. Yes, the process/fab matters in perf, not just the design
Eh - not even that controversial in my opinion. The people still bitching about windows are the ones who haven't used it in 10+ years and have no idea how usable WSL is.
linux -> windows -> mac.
Mac is by far the least pleasant OS to use. Some of the hardware is ok (although avoid the 16inch intel line like your life depends on it) but overall I don't want a walled garden with happy paths.
I want a general purpose computer, and mac ain't that.
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#264Earlier quoted context omitted.
As a professional software engineer I choose to use the best tools for the job. In my case that tool happens to be a a Mac.
Yup - the tool that will randomly prevent you from opening any 3rd party app if Apple's signature checking service goes down. The tool that defaults to a case insensitive but confusingly case preserving fs. The tool that has been issued in variations that literally can't be used while closed, or if you plug the charging cable into the wrong "all the same" usb-c port. The tool that licenses away virtualization, making…
I'm a Linux user who previously used Macs for years. This list barely touches the actual reality of developing on a Mac for most people. It is not nearly as strong an argument as the arrogant tone suggests.
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#265** "I don't want to use a Mac" ** "I've had these problems with Mac" Reasonable response: Cool, use what works for you. EDIT> Here are some suggestions that match your constraints. Annoying response 1: You should reconsider because Mac works great for me. Annoying response 2: Your problems aren't real problems. Annoying response 3: Let's live debug your problems in this thread to see if they're real problems. Guys. I…
One thing that deters me a bit from using macOS is the slower docker performance compared to linux. Anyone here have workarounds for this?
The biggest problem seems to be the slow disk performance when working with volumes. At least in personal projects I could make this fast by making use of Docker's caching in creative ways. E.g. first copying the package deps, installing them and afterwards copying the (often changing) source. Also sometimes when a volume is needed it can be enough to make it a single file volume.
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#266Quoted post unavailable.
What a ridiculous comment. Which is the "statement", the MacBook or a Linux laptop??? If you want to run Linux, why pay the Apple tax (not to mention all the aggravation), unless you really want the form factor or the hardware?
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#267Earlier quoted context omitted.
Dude, operating system is one of the most fundamental things to consider when getting a dev machine. MacOS is literally useless for me, because I depend on the Linux kernel.
You can still install Linux on a mac (which is what I did) and still get a powerful and beautiful machine, if you so desire.
There is almost no firmware support for the recent aarch64 Mac hardware.
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#268Quoted post unavailable.
Controversial opinion: Windows is better for development now that WSL exists. Not a fan of using MacOS' proprietary flavor of it. And windows computers will have 5nm processors soon enough with comparable performance to m1. Yes, the process/fab matters in perf, not just the design
That is how I treat my new Framework with Windows: like a shitty DE to Linux. I run Arch (really Nix possessing the body of Arch since almost every package I use daily is a Nixpkg) on my personal laptop. I am enjoying seeing the other side of tooling. My Nix flake works without fuss inside WSL to instantiate my developer environment same as my Linux machine.
VS Code Remote makes working inside WSL basically native (I use Emacs on my Linux machine).
FancyZones courtesy of PowerToys makes for an acceptable tiling experience. I tried to use Komorebi but at least 0.1.8 has too many issues to recommend at this point.
Kind of excited to dive into PowerShell in a Month of Lunches next.
Re: Ask HN: What’s a good laptop for software development at around $2k?
#269I love my Lenovo Thinkpad (X1 Carbon). From the little things like hardware switches for the webcam and microphone to the big things like the excellent keyboard feel and Linux support (I use Manjaro). HOWEVER, get the premium screen, because WOW the 1080p screen isn’t great.
This. I love my current one to bits (X1c 7th gen) - almost weightless, sturdy, excellent battery life, excellent connectivity, wonderful keyboard. Oh, and the 1080 screen, which isn't great, but did help improve battery life significantly over the other offerings. I get a full work day out of mine without a charge, which is most useful whenever I'm in the field.
I have 4 of them for family members. Myself uses Dell XPS15 but it's from the employer. I will get myself a Carbon X1 more likely for personal usage.
Lightweight, robust, powerful enough for development and daily use, we had them for a few years, no complain so far.