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Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

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Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#21

Post by _red »

ZanyProgrammer wrote: post #12

There's always the Dell XPS 13.

I have both an XPS and MBAir (2012 model).

I routinely boot the same linux-USB desktop distro on both.

The XPS is probably a bit faster (i7), and screen DPI is better. But, MBA provides and overall better experience.

The most glaring things that stick out in MBA favor is: (a) keyboard, (b) touchpad.

The XPS touchpad is really sub-par given the focus of the machine as a development platform. Often while typing, the slightest brush against it will cause the cursor to jump. This is not an issue on the MBA.

Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#22

Post by DanBC »

ZanyProgrammer wrote: post #13
DanBC wrote: post #6

No. MacBook Pro 2009: Aluminium Unibody deforms if dropped. Glass trackpad can shatter. Stupid fucking magsafe connector is too weak - a connector cable that fails even though it's only held on with magnets is severely sub-optimal. Only two USB connectors. chicet keyboard. Sharp edges. No trackpad buttons or trackpoint. Gloss screen. Give me:- * A great keyboard. See Apple Powerbook for an example great keyboard. (Ob…

Its not just Macs that have soldered components-a lot of ultrabooks also have soldered RAM, at least.

Yes - it's always annoying when ram is soldered in no matter who does it.

Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#23

Post by iron_ball »

ebiester wrote: post #14

I, personally, want the T420 with a better (16:10) screen and speakers. The processor is also starting to get a bit long in the tooth for what I do. I don't even need a 4:3. (I prefer two side-by-side columns for coding.) Oh, and the system should wake from sleep properly 100% of the time rather than 96% of the time (as my t420 does) and I shouldn't have intermittent wi-fi problems (as my t420 does.) So, I think the…

Completely agreed. I've been able to work quite effectively on a T520i -- but I've also experienced occasional frustration with the hardware integration. Every time I upgrade Ubuntu, I worry that I'm about to knock my system's stability off its precarious perch, and sometimes it happens. Things just aren't bulletproof.

For my next computer, I'm willing to spend the extra $1000 for a Mac, where I can believe that things really will Just Work™.

Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#24

Post by kevinherron »

No.

The hardware is only part of the problem, and I think something like Dell's XPS 13 is of reasonable quality.

The problem is (as it has always been) that linux lacks the quality, polish, and application ecosystem to make it a suitable desktop environment (for me, at least).

Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#25

Post by ZanyProgrammer »

_red wrote: post #21
ZanyProgrammer wrote: post #12

There's always the Dell XPS 13.

I have both an XPS and MBAir (2012 model). I routinely boot the same linux-USB desktop distro on both. The XPS is probably a bit faster (i7), and screen DPI is better. But, MBA provides and overall better experience. The most glaring things that stick out in MBA favor is: (a) keyboard, (b) touchpad. The XPS touchpad is really sub-par given the focus of the machine as a development platform. Often while typing, the sl…

How is the power management on the XPS? Does opening and closing the lid work decently?

Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#26

Post by sbuk »

It's got nothing to do with cost, which is IMHO a complete canard. Spec for spec, MacBooks are actually quite competitive in the market in which they compete[0]. I'd love to see a linux based laptop that is as well integrated and as well made as a Mac. It'd be great if it wasn't fugly too. If it's cheaper, that's a bonus, but in all honesty, I've yet to find a brand new laptop that costs less that £700 that isn't a piece of junk. Below that price, all sorts of noticeable compromises are made; from screen resolution to overall build quality.

[0]I do a lot of procurement in my current job and spec for spec, Macbook Pros actually sit in the middle of the market place based on cost and I argue that they are placed higher in terms of build quality than most other brands too. Extensibility is where they fall down massively, but then after 3 year, all our machines are retired anyway, by which time they are financially written off. For the record, I buy HP zBooks which are more expensive than Macs and in my experience not as well integrated with Windows or Linux.

Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#27

Post by danceturkey »

allworknoplay wrote: post #18

I don't mean to be critical, but it seems like kind of the wrong question to ask. Anyone who would answer yes to this question has already answered it in practice: I have a mac, and I could well install linux on it, but I don't. I used to use thinkpads when they didn't suck, and I tried linux but always had driver and media troubles (that was a decade ago and has absolutely gotten better, but definitely not perfect).…

I do exclusively use Linux Mint on a Macbook Air 13'' (deleted the Mac partition) and I am extremely happy with it so far. The hardware is great and there is support for pretty much every piece of hardware on the device.

Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?

#30

Post by zzzeek »

eveningcoffee wrote: post #8

I am already using the Linux on laptop better than Mac. It is called Thinkpad (an older model). Now the problem is that Lenovo is trying to be more like Apple and this does not go well with them. You can ask how much people are pleased with the new single button touchpads or how they like 16:9 screens instead of 16:10 screens or how they like the lack of Delete button. So yes, I would buy a laptop (I would not buy a…

> Now the problem is that Lenovo is trying to be more like Apple and this does not go well with them. You can ask how much people are pleased with the new single button touchpads or how they like 16:9 screens instead of 16:10 screens or how they like the lack of Delete button.

I have one of those newer lenovos, and if the trackpad is their attempt to "be more like" Apple, they really have a very long way to go in terms of copying functionality. For one thing, Apple correctly understands that we humans have our thumbs (which, lenovo, is the part that most comfortably moves independently of the rest of our hand) on the inside of our hands, so perhaps that's why the buttons are supposed to be on the bottom and not the top, where pretty much any scroll + click activity requires two hands with the lenovo. It's a UX disaster.

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