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

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

#51

Post by eridius » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:52 PM UTC

cyrus_ wrote: post #20

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?

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.

> It blocks or impedes the installation of software that it has unilaterally decided is against its interests

What software are you thinking of? Apple maintains editorial control over what's in the App Store, but I can't think of any case where Apple has blocked software distributed outside the app store. The closest I can think of is the fact that the default settings of the computer require apps to be codesigned with an Apple certificate, but Apple doesn't maintain editorial control over who gets certificates, anyone with a developer account can get one (and of course you can even bypass this requirement with right click -> Open, or by changing the security settings on the computer).

> takes a ludicrous percentage of revenue via the App Store

The App Store is completely optional. All software that's published on it can be distributed outside of it. And I don't see how the percentage Apple takes from their completely optional App Store is even remotely connected with ethics.

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

#52

Post by micaksica » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:53 PM UTC

givinguflac wrote: post #34

micaksica wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While Macs have fantastic build quality, there are now premium-level PCs that are catching up to it. The new EliteBook Folio is a Core M-powered, Thunderbolt-containing replacement for the 12" MacBook (not Pro); the Razer series appear to be built just as well as Macs from my time with them hands-on as well. Personally, I don't care so much about "build quality" in terms of materials used. If the hardware works I'm h…

It may be fine, but the disk speeds on the latest Macs are amazing. There is no laptop that matches that I'm aware of.

Assuming you are using Linux and you have gobs of RAM, the 15-20% difference you will see between an mSATA SSD and NVMe is negligible for most common workloads/applications, as you will be likely pulling things from the RAM cache. The Linux box I'm writing this on only has 8 GB RAM and my whole system is only using 1.1G, leaving 6+ GB RAM as a RAM cache for read files. On 16 GB systems it's even better.

For more info: http://www.linuxatemyram.com/play.html

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

#53

Post by ecspike » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:53 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.

Until recently, at my job, the choices were rather underpowered Windows machine or MBP. That was mostly because it was HR-types that chose Windows. I spend 98% of my time in Linux on my MBP and only spin it up which I have to use the camera or a OSX only app.

But I've been installing Linux on my work macs for a while, this kind of lag is totally expected.

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

#54

Post by mi100hael » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:53 PM UTC

micaksica wrote: post #30

chadgeidel wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Build quality. It's difficult to find a computer that matches the quality of a MacBook for fit and finish, trackpad quality, and battery life. I haven't used the new one, but the 2015 models were among the best hardware on the market - regardless of what OS was installed.

While Macs have fantastic build quality, there are now premium-level PCs that are catching up to it. The new EliteBook Folio is a Core M-powered, Thunderbolt-containing replacement for the 12" MacBook (not Pro); the Razer series appear to be built just as well as Macs from my time with them hands-on as well. Personally, I don't care so much about "build quality" in terms of materials used. If the hardware works I'm h…

The hardest part for me was finding a 15" PC laptop without the retarded number pad. I'm quite happy with my Dell M5510, but it was basically the only alternative to a MBP.

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

#55

Post by micaksica » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:55 PM UTC

mi100hael wrote: post #54

micaksica wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While Macs have fantastic build quality, there are now premium-level PCs that are catching up to it. The new EliteBook Folio is a Core M-powered, Thunderbolt-containing replacement for the 12" MacBook (not Pro); the Razer series appear to be built just as well as Macs from my time with them hands-on as well. Personally, I don't care so much about "build quality" in terms of materials used. If the hardware works I'm h…

The hardest part for me was finding a 15" PC laptop without the retarded number pad. I'm quite happy with my Dell M5510, but it was basically the only alternative to a MBP.

Yes, this drives me insane too, and is the thing that I hate about the "workstation class" devices. I don't use the number pad and I don't want it, thank you. It trips me up whenever I have to use one and I have to offset my hands from the display.

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

#56

Post by ntSean » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:58 PM UTC

notadoc wrote: post #39

chadgeidel wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Build quality. It's difficult to find a computer that matches the quality of a MacBook for fit and finish, trackpad quality, and battery life. I haven't used the new one, but the 2015 models were among the best hardware on the market - regardless of what OS was installed.

The build quality of MacBook Pro is generally good, but it's still hit and miss especially for a premium priced machine. For example, the film layer on my display is currently peeling off, similar to this: http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2015/03/Retina-MacBook-... This is a 2015 model.

This is a result of improper care and applying harsh cleaning chemicals that remove the glare resistant coating - this is not a result of bad quality.

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

#57

Post by diamondo25 » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 9:59 PM UTC

notadoc wrote: post #39

chadgeidel wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Build quality. It's difficult to find a computer that matches the quality of a MacBook for fit and finish, trackpad quality, and battery life. I haven't used the new one, but the 2015 models were among the best hardware on the market - regardless of what OS was installed.

The build quality of MacBook Pro is generally good, but it's still hit and miss especially for a premium priced machine. For example, the film layer on my display is currently peeling off, similar to this: http://cdn.macrumors.com/article-new/2015/03/Retina-MacBook-... This is a 2015 model.

I didn't know this issue happened on the 2015 model as well... I've got the mid 2014 model and it has the exact same issue. They call it staingate [0], and it seems that they've replaced screens with the issue (for free). I have yet to request that, however...

[0] http://www.staingate.org/

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

#58

Post by excalibur » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 10:00 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.

VirtualBox works fairly well. Not that I would want to use it as a primary desktop environment that way.

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

#59

Post by Foivos » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 10:00 PM UTC

ReverseCold wrote: post #46

chadgeidel wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Build quality. It's difficult to find a computer that matches the quality of a MacBook for fit and finish, trackpad quality, and battery life. I haven't used the new one, but the 2015 models were among the best hardware on the market - regardless of what OS was installed.

Razer Blade

Are you able to have a functioning linux installation with a razer blade, without doing too much sorcery? For example, this is the case for plenty of Dells that I have tried. I have never used a razer blade, but I have been through the forums and it seems that having linux work properly is not that straightforward.

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

#60

Post by jrockway » Thu, Nov 10, 2016, 10:01 PM UTC

ilaksh wrote: post #48

chadgeidel wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Build quality. It's difficult to find a computer that matches the quality of a MacBook for fit and finish, trackpad quality, and battery life. I haven't used the new one, but the 2015 models were among the best hardware on the market - regardless of what OS was installed.

$150 Chromebook works great and runs Ubuntu with crouton.

$150 isn't a very good status symbol.