Warning: 2016 MacBook Pro is not compatible with Linux • Hacker News Board

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

#11

Post by maxxxxx » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:18 PM UTC

nine_k wrote: post #6

There are other nice machines to run Linux on. AFAICT people buy Apple laptops to run macOS; for that you have pretty little choice.

For a while a Macbook was the best Windows laptop. Not sure if that's still true.

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

#12

Post by elchief » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:18 PM UTC

notadoc wrote: post #9

$2800 on a laptop with only 16GB RAM that you're going to run linux on anyway? If you're going to run Ubuntu, why not get a Lenovo for much less and with notably better legitimately "Pro" specs?

Apple, maybe, actually fights for your privacy, while Lenovo definitely exploits it for money.

Is there a secure enclave chip in Lenovo? Do you really trust their firmware?

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

#13

Post by awesomerobot » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:18 PM UTC

Symbiote wrote: post #5

Would anyone expect it to be compatible, this soon after release?

All previous models were compatible out of the box.

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

#14

Post by gruez » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:20 PM UTC

elchief wrote: post #12

notadoc wrote: post #9

$2800 on a laptop with only 16GB RAM that you're going to run linux on anyway? If you're going to run Ubuntu, why not get a Lenovo for much less and with notably better legitimately "Pro" specs?

Apple, maybe, actually fights for your privacy, while Lenovo definitely exploits it for money. Is there a secure enclave chip in Lenovo? Do you really trust their firmware?

I don't see how that's a relevant point if you're going to do a fresh install anyways, unless you think lenovo is going to use something like vpro to spy on you without the OS.

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

#15

Post by colemickens » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:20 PM UTC

Meanwhile I just put Arch back on my Chromebook Pixel and I couldn't be happier. Far better screen, far better font rendering, and no absurdities regarding keyboard shortcuts and keys whenever plugging in an external keyboard. I can use my mouse with normal scroll while having my trackpad inverted. I have a real window manager again with "Always On Top". And I have real per-app volume mixing again. Oh, and an escape key!

I literally had money set aside to buy a new MBP, but I don't see myself being an Apple customer again anytime soon.

edit: I just don't get this place sometimes. Did I piss off some Apple fans?

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

#16

Post by colemickens » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:21 PM UTC

awesomerobot wrote: post #13

Symbiote wrote: post #5

Would anyone expect it to be compatible, this soon after release?

All previous models were compatible out of the box.

That's not remotely true.

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

#17

Post by preek » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:22 PM UTC

I run my Linux on a VM where I spend most of my time, so I have no first hand experience, but a friend of mine just bought a new MBP, installed Arch on it and blogged about it: http://www.nico.schottelius.org/blog/linux-on-macbook-pro-20...

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

#18

Post by jkestner » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:22 PM UTC

gruez wrote: post #14

elchief wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple, maybe, actually fights for your privacy, while Lenovo definitely exploits it for money. Is there a secure enclave chip in Lenovo? Do you really trust their firmware?

I don't see how that's a relevant point if you're going to do a fresh install anyways, unless you think lenovo is going to use something like vpro to spy on you without the OS.

You're funding spyware, even if it's not on your own computer.

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

#19

Post by plorkyeran » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:23 PM UTC

awesomerobot wrote: post #13

Symbiote wrote: post #5

Would anyone expect it to be compatible, this soon after release?

All previous models were compatible out of the box.

There's a 17 month old bounty to add support for the 2015 MacBook: https://www.bountysource.com/issues/35422234-macbook8-1-12-i.... The 2012 Retina MBP also didn't work correctly at first but that was fixed quickly. The only models that were compatible out of the box were the ones which didn't change much.

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

#20

Post by cyrus_ » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:23 PM UTC

elchief wrote: post #12

notadoc wrote: post #9

$2800 on a laptop with only 16GB RAM that you're going to run linux on anyway? If you're going to run Ubuntu, why not get a Lenovo for much less and with notably better legitimately "Pro" specs?

Apple, maybe, actually fights for your privacy, while Lenovo definitely exploits it for money. Is there a secure enclave chip in Lenovo? Do you really trust their firmware?

Lenovo's malware scandal should certainly give you pause, but do note that it was only installed on its consumer laptops. Thinkpads were unaffected.

Moreover, Apple is far from the cleanly ethical choice you seem to think it is. It blocks or impedes the installation of software that it has unilaterally decided is against its interests + takes a ludicrous percentage of revenue via the App Store.