Does the idea of a computer that bundles a linux distro into one amazing piece of tech like d mac, at a lesser cost, appeal to you?
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?
#2I don't like Macs nor Apple.
I already use Linux on a ThinkPad and I'm very happy with it.
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#3Honestly no.
The crowd who uses Linux primarily currently is well versed with installing it on a Mac, or any laptop really. Linux is built on the notion of self-reliance, self-development, do it yourself, laugh in the face of danger [1]. So marketing to people who hold these principles is challenging.
On top of that MacOSX is a full Unix w/ Bash + GNU utils. So functionally from a developers perspective you don't gain much of anything. Interacting with a Mac or Linux from the CLI is pretty much the same.
[1] https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/linux.dev.kernel/qeeP5...
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#4I think it depends on how much of "a lesser cost."
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#5Most often you get more bang for your buck if you do not need to limit yourself to Apple hardware. So, if you use Linux you - very likely - have already more hardware to your disposal for lesser cost.
So, I think the answer to "Does that appeal to me?" is yes. :-)
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#6No.
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. (Obviously Thinkpads had great keyboards too).
* high impact ABS. This doesn't look as nice as aluminum. It probably doesn't feel as nice. But it survives knocks and falls better. My Asus EEE PC 701 was robust as hell, so whatever that was made out of.
* don't solder the drives to the board. Or have a very good quality SSD soldered to the board with one (better 2) drivebays.
* 4:3 monitor!!!
* take three popular Linux distributions (say Ubuntu; Arch and Fedora) and instLl them on your computer. Test them rigorously. Write clear detailed guides and how-tos and faqs on your site to cover the tweaking needed. Contribute any code back upstream. Make sure the following are working out of the box:-
- wifi
-acpi or similar (especially sleep on lid close; and make sure the system correctly wakes after)
-power management
* give it a huge battery and make sure the OS is set to give at least 8 hours use.
* allow a stupid large amount of ram to be installed. Offer very fast very good very large prefitted tested ram as a purchase option.
By mentioning Mac you've introduced a bunch of weird things that fistract from the conversation you actually want. Better would be "would you like a computer like Thinkpads used to be?" Or "imagine the best bits of all the laptops you've ever used, all together in one great machine, with Linux".
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#7No.
But a lightweight (<1kg) passively cooled laptop with a great keyboard, an excellent e-ink screen with at least FullHD resolution, good battery life, and fully open source software and firmware would. Any arch (MIPS, ARM, SH4, whatever) is fine with me.
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#8I 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 branded PC for obvious reasons) that has very good ergonomics and is made from quality components. This would be not a Mac'1, and unfortunately, if nothing changes in Lenovo, it would be also not a Thinkpad.
Based on my gut feeling based on the surfing around, I would bet that I am not alone. Therefore I could say that there may be a market opportunity.
'1 due eye strain and need to move hands away from keyboard.
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#9No. But a lightweight (<1kg) passively cooled laptop with a great keyboard, an excellent e-ink screen with at least FullHD resolution, good battery life, and fully open source software and firmware would. Any arch (MIPS, ARM, SH4, whatever) is fine with me.
Recently I've read a bunch of people who want eink screens.
I'm a bit confused: the refresh rate is terrible for eink. Typing text would be painful. Maybe the year 2020 will have great quality fast eink but today it'd be a pretty lousy experience.
Re: Would you use a Linux based computer, better or equal to a mac in quality?
#10No.
Linux makes for a good server setup, but the desktop side is lacking in high-quality applications that are considered standard on other platforms. Linux simply has too many cooks to ever achieve the mostly homogenous experience of Windows or Mac. That is both it's blessing and it's curse.
Besides, I get 90% of what I need from Linux on a Mac and the other 10% I can get from a VM running Linux or a remote box.