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Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

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Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#431

Post by askonomm »

ByteWelder wrote: post #59
donohoe wrote: post #29

This seems like an over-reaction. I'm highly opposed to Apple's CSAM move but they are still much better and transparent than Google, Amazon, and most other services. Many of these already do something like this but they just don't actively tell you or document it. Also, and please correct me if I am mistaken, Apple's CSAM is limited to iCloud for Photos. It does not just work against your local photos. CSAM Detectio…

For me, it was well thought-out. Apple betrayed my trust as a consumer and the response in the past week was plain gaslighting. I thought about it for a couple of days and then decided that I don't want to support a company like that anymore. (edit)I was planning to buy a new MBP/iPhone/Watch in Q4, so this made it easier to decide on those purchases earlier.(/edit) It's correct that the CSAM scanning is currently on…

You're in for a rough ride if you change entire platforms and ecosystems every time someone disappoints you. Afaik, Microsoft and Google do a lot worse than Apple, so where are you going to go? Linux?

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#432

Post by MrDresden »

timbit42 wrote: post #402
neverminder wrote: post #201

Desktop - Ubuntu 20.04. Everything works and my requirements are quite advanced - bunch of games on Steam, pro level audio production studio just to mention a few things. Laptop - Dell Precision 7750, Xeon CPU, 64 GB RAM, bought with Ubuntu pre-installed. Beast of a laptop, superior thermals, wipes the floor with a mac. Phone - Google Pixel. I consider that a lesser evil choice to Apple's walled garden. It's rooted,…

When you realize Snaps suck, you can switch to Linux Mint or Debian.

There is literally no requirement to use snaps.

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#433

Post by thefunnyman »

crossroadsguy wrote: post #103

I don’t care anymore. Actually I do, but I’m exhausted. However if I buy a new laptop, with or without CSAM, it won’t be a Mac. I would wish for a Framework kinda thing here (with local service), but since that’s not gonna happen - ASUS it would be most probably, with ElementaryOS on it (or some distro like that - non ugly and kinda simple looking). It feels like WhatsApp —> Signal brouhaha all over again. After tryi…

Thinkpads have served me pretty well, mostly for Linux though I do dual boot. A bit pricey new, but lots of options in the used market since businesses buy new ones all the time. Lenovo has had some controversy, but never with the Thinkpad line afaik and frankly at this point it’s hard to find a manufacturer without some history of controversy.

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#434

Post by stereoradonc »

neverminder wrote: post #321
gazby wrote: post #301

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have the 7550 (15 inch version of the 7750), also with 20.04 on it (Dell shipped it with 18.04 though) and am also very happy with it, so +1 there. I also have an Android tablet and Android phone running LineageOS without Google Play Services, and piggy-back off the SO's Google Maps when we're going places. F-Droid is fantastic here and, where needed, proprietary apps (Slack, Discord etc) can be installed via Auror…

Dell Precision 7xxx line is easily the most advanced laptop with official linux support there is. Every person who bought it after I recommended this laptop was impressed. I've got Ubuntu 20.04 on mine and the only thing that doesn't work (yet) is the power button fingerprint reader which is a non-issue.

ThinkPad E series owner here. I find the default specifications worthwhile (including the keyboard). Dell was a contender but they priced the "business line" more expensive than ThinkPad. I got a sweet deal on Amazon and bought it in a heartbeat!

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#435

Post by fomine3 »

thereddaikon wrote: post #112
numair wrote: post #20

For those studying MacBook alternatives, I think the most underrated “serious” notebook computer in the world is the Panasonic Letsnote SX/SV. Matte screen that actually works outdoors, removable long-life battery, unassuming vintage design (“let’s not rob that guy, he can’t even afford a new computer”). I haven’t investigated the Linuxability of this thing yet, but it’s super-light and impressive as a mosh terminal…

Looks like a japan only model. I should have known by the name, Let's _____ is a really common Japanese product trope. You should try "Let's Corn!" sometime. Its uhhh, japanese. How do you suggest getting one of these things or getting support for it? I'm not against foreign market hardware but they can be a real pain in the ass for many. Last japanese laptop I had was almost 20 years ago, an ultraportable Sony. It w…

Let's note sold in Japan only offers Japanese keyboard layout, this may be a top problem.

It seems that US keyboard model is sold as "Asia Model", but sold only for corporate. Hopefully you can find used one. Possibly it's also available in asian marketplace. https://biz.panasonic.com/jp-ja/products-services/letsnote/l...

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#436

Post by fomine3 »

jron wrote: post #244
numair wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It’s pretty much a staple item in Corporate Japan, which probably explains why Panasonic hasn’t offshored production as everyone else did. I think it’d be great to see more overseas business pick up for these computers — it’s one of those classic bits of Japanese technology that looks hopelessly outdated until you use it, and then you hope it never changes. My label for such things is “In-N-Out Burger Technology,” fo…

Is the trackpad comparable to a macbook? I've yet to see an equal or anything remotely close.

Their trackpad is bad for me because they stick with circler form on most models. It's bad just because very small. It support scrolling by tracing circle edge, but not much worth.

Meanwhile they also stick with old fashioned non-isolated keyboard. It's great.

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#437

Post by [deleted] »

zepto wrote: post #426
IncRnd wrote: post #417

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Followed by this, "The photos get transferred either way, so one has nothing to do with the other." It was clearly a technical statement not a privacy statement, so only superficial reading might lead one to believe it meant something that it did not. That is why I replied that the person who replied to my comment, where I said I had argued something different, but that what he wrote was an excellent point. So, what…

> "The photos get transferred either way, so one has nothing to do with the other." That doesn’t change anything. It may be a pre-requisite from the perspective of their business. You replied to me and I didn’t constrain my point to just technicalities. > So, what on earth are you so invested in that you feel the need to argue minutiae that don't apply? It does apply. I’m simply pointing out that what you said is not…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#438

Post by scoopertrooper »

randomdata wrote: post #327
scoopertrooper wrote: post #324

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The police investigate the matter and a case might be brought to trial?

As it turns out, people don't like having to deal with police, nor do they like the idea of potentially losing a trial (especially in the court of public opinion).

Then it sounds like you should be arguing for for a repeal of CP laws. A controversial stance.

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#439

Post by randomdata »

scoopertrooper wrote: post #438
randomdata wrote: post #327

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As it turns out, people don't like having to deal with police, nor do they like the idea of potentially losing a trial (especially in the court of public opinion).

Then it sounds like you should be arguing for for a repeal of CP laws. A controversial stance.

I have no feelings towards the topic. I am merely summarizing what the consensus is writing on places like HN towards what Apple is doing.

The general sentiment does appear to be that the laws are misguided. That does not necessarily mean repeal is necessary. Augmentation may also provide a solution that satisfies their concerns. However, that is moving well beyond the topic at hand. There is no indication I can find that some kind of change is controversial. There is clear worry about the status quo based on the potential outcome of what information Apple may glean.

What remains is that Apple isn't anyone's real concern. An inanimate corporation can't do much to you. Apple is simply bringing attention to what actually concerns people, which is something that was already there all along.

Re: Ask HN: What Apple alternatives are you switching to?

#440

Post by rerbrerb »

breuleux wrote: post #365
rovr138 wrote: post #292

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>I mean, what's the attack vector here? The plan, as far as I'm aware, is to upload a list of hashes to each device that have been vetted by multiple child protection agencies. I hope not. If hashes are uploaded to devices, they can be extracted and images that clash against it can be created. I think they're going to be creating hashes of images locally that are being uploaded and send it with the image. Then if the…

> If hashes are uploaded to devices, they can be extracted and images that clash against it can be created. Many organizations have the hashes, so they could leak nonetheless. Either way, I don't think that's a major problem. If the system interprets a picture of a pineapple as CSAM, you only need to produce the picture of a pineapple to defend yourself against any accusations. If clashes are too commonplace, the ent…

> If the system interprets a picture of a pineapple as CSAM, you only need to produce the picture of a pineapple to defend yourself against any accusations.

If the system interprets a picture of a pineapple on your phone as CSAM,

after Apple notifies the authorities they have identified child porn on your phone,

after the police detain you with the courtesies afforded to all alleged pedophiles,

after you cough up your phone’s password,

you only need to produce the picture of a pineapple to defend yourself against any accusations,

and then point out to the folks with the guns that no, you didn’t delete the child porn from your phone, look, it’s just a pineapple,

and then explain to your captors how hashes work,

then there’s nothing to worry about.

Good luck.

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