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From macOS to Arch Linux

juxt.pro

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Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#111

Post by javier2 »

popey wrote: post #49

"There are still many things I need to set up on the new laptop, for example: suspension/hibernation on closing the lid doesn’t always work" For me, this is one of those things that should work out of the box. I appreciate Arch is one of those distros you configure manually, and can thus choose whether to implement this or not. But I'd rather not have my laptop burn out in my bag because the system didn't suspend pro…

I have been running Arch since about 2008. This used to be a problem with laptops, but I have had great experiences with this exact problem since about 2012. Or maybe I got better at buying laptops with largely compatible hardware.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#112

Post by javier2 »

_6zew wrote: post #108
popey wrote: post #49

"There are still many things I need to set up on the new laptop, for example: suspension/hibernation on closing the lid doesn’t always work" For me, this is one of those things that should work out of the box. I appreciate Arch is one of those distros you configure manually, and can thus choose whether to implement this or not. But I'd rather not have my laptop burn out in my bag because the system didn't suspend pro…

I learned this the hard way. When i was around 16, i was gifted a laptop. Mind you, this was my first pc ever. Before that i was going to internet cafes. So being the good "hacker" i was at the time, i installed Ubuntu to be like the cool kids. Few days later the motherboard got fried in my backpack. Apparently, the laptop didn't go to sleep when i closed the lid and overheated. Still hurts.

To be fair this happens with my work macbook every now and then. It hasn't died though.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#113

Post by exegete »

sunaurus wrote: post #10

I just completed my migration in the opposite direction after using Arch Linux as my daily driver for ~10 years. I think Arch Linux is by far the better OS for pretty much all power users, but when using multiple devices, the benefits of the "Apple Ecosystem" outweigh the benefits of an amazing desktop OS for me, which is why I ended up switching to Mac OS. Some key points which I believe are much worse on Mac: * No…

I’m actually in the same boat. My approach to save a few bucks was to buy a lower end laptop I knew was somewhat compatible with Arch. But now I want something that just works without me configuring everything (and some better hardware too). I still have a box I built at home that I can tinker with Linux if I want too.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#114

Post by javier2 »

gbrown wrote: post #7

Can an Arch person explain to me why their approach is worth it over something with a more comprehensive package manager like apt or dnf? I don’t mind compiling programs myself when needed, but for most things I’m happy to not have to hand-hold my OS when it comes to updates. From the wiki: > Before upgrading, users are expected to visit the Arch Linux home page to check the latest news, or alternatively subscribe to…

You don't have to run arch if you are happy with your Ubuntu or whatever other distro. I run arch because I like trying out new software when its released, not when maintainers of ubuntu decide to include it in the next release cycle. You are pretty much always on the latest kernel, for good or bad. aur also is a gem compared to apt when it comes to modifying in-tree packages and maintaining those with the system package manager.

But well, if you are happy with your distro you don't have to use anything else.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#115

Post by donio »

j7ake wrote: post #62

Interesting, but no discussion about the touchpad? I imagine one downgrade from moving away from Mac is the touchpad experience.

I guess it comes down to personal preferences but for me the touchpad on the X1 Carbon is so much better than the Mac ones. It's just the right size (why does the Mac ones need to be so huge?), lovely physical buttons and the trackpoint is nice to have. Works perfectly on Linux.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#116

Post by jchw »

popey wrote: post #49

"There are still many things I need to set up on the new laptop, for example: suspension/hibernation on closing the lid doesn’t always work" For me, this is one of those things that should work out of the box. I appreciate Arch is one of those distros you configure manually, and can thus choose whether to implement this or not. But I'd rather not have my laptop burn out in my bag because the system didn't suspend pro…

So far I rarely have issues with suspend/resume on Linux with laptops. My current laptops are a Thinkpad T14s Gen 1 and a Thinkpad P51, and they sleep and resume properly every time. Desktops as well: I’ve got a Ryzen 5950X+RX590 setup, works exactly as intended. Previous desktop too, and the one before that.

Granted… it could just be luck. I accept that. But, for me, I’ve never specifically sought out linux compatible parts and sleep/resume has not been an issue for a long time for me.

I tend to just run the later stable kernels, which might help a bit. Though Arch should give you basically this by default, so, I dunno.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#117

Post by ativzzz »

stonemetal12 wrote: post #78
alexarnesen wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Arch is the first system I have been able to support, fully. As in, 100% of the issues I run across with my distro, I can resolve. I used to run Ubuntu as my gnome desktop distribution, and when it worked (99% of the time), it was a superior experience to Arch. However when running Ubuntu I would inevitably run across some issue that seemed to require a level of sysadmin chops that I never have possessed. For the pas…

Would you recommend Arch to someone without a lot of Linux experience? Ubuntu has me thinking of switching to a different OS.

I recommend checking out EndeavourOS. It's an Arch based OS that sets you up with a friendly installer and a desktop environment out of the box, then gets out of your way. You don't get the fun experience of installing arch from scratch but it's a gentler introduction to the ecosystem.

I switched from ubuntu to Endeavour as my first dive into Arch recently and have been happy with it.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#118

Post by nicta »

stonemetal12 wrote: post #78
alexarnesen wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Arch is the first system I have been able to support, fully. As in, 100% of the issues I run across with my distro, I can resolve. I used to run Ubuntu as my gnome desktop distribution, and when it worked (99% of the time), it was a superior experience to Arch. However when running Ubuntu I would inevitably run across some issue that seemed to require a level of sysadmin chops that I never have possessed. For the pas…

Would you recommend Arch to someone without a lot of Linux experience? Ubuntu has me thinking of switching to a different OS.

My personal experience with Linux has been Ubuntu ~1 week -> Debian 2 days -> Arch 11 years now.

It will require some time learning and reading through the wiki. I would definitely recommend trying it in a vm first.

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#119

Post by javier2 »

gbrown wrote: post #11
jimjimjimjim wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sometimes there are some manual interventions that you may have to perform.

Yeah, exactly. Why?

They announce (known) breaking changes that may require manual intervention. Meanwhile, when my ubuntu upgrade breaks something there is never any release notes or documentation to help me fix it. After my previous ubuntu upgrade at work, the screen locker is segfaulting instead of locking my screen, and clicking links inside the Slack crashes slack...

Re: From macOS to Arch Linux

#120

Post by javier2 »

sunaurus wrote: post #10

I just completed my migration in the opposite direction after using Arch Linux as my daily driver for ~10 years. I think Arch Linux is by far the better OS for pretty much all power users, but when using multiple devices, the benefits of the "Apple Ecosystem" outweigh the benefits of an amazing desktop OS for me, which is why I ended up switching to Mac OS. Some key points which I believe are much worse on Mac: * No…

I only use macOS for work now because they have become too expensive to keep one just for personal use. The new M1 Air is not that expensive though, but it's still 3 times the price of a decent AMD based laptop.
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