Linux lover bought a MacBook

Feb 23, 2017 · 6 min read

This article is my history of using computers since 2000 and list of arguments why Apple’s computers (and macOS) are probably the best devices for developers. No, I’m not Apple fan. I even joke about these computers.

If you’re using Windows or some Linux distribution, you may think “Why I should pay twice as expensive for a computer with bitten apple logo?”. I thought the same. However after I used Windows for 6 years, Linux for 10 years, MacBook (and macOS itself) for 1 year I have some objective thoughts.

Take into account that:

I’m a front-end developer (I create websites) and I use my computer mainly for work and browsing the internet,
I have MacBook Pro (Retina, 15", Mid 2015).

If you have other needs, or you will buy another computer, your feelings in some topics may be slightly different.

Station 0. Why I choose Windows?

Actually I never choose Windows. This system was pre-installed on my first computer, just as in many others. Windows is great system. For gaming and browsing the internet. It was too simple for my needs and it slows down every minute my workflow after few years usage. I just need more control with my whole system. So…

Station 1. Why I choose Linux?

After I changed Windows to Linux I gained control over everything. Literally. This system allows you to do anything the easy way. I can choose and configure every part of my world: kernel, desktop environment, package manager (which is derived from the choice of distribution), free/non-free drivers and so on. I’ve tested many systems: Gentoo, Slackware, Debian (stable, testing and unstable releases), Ubuntu, Arch Linux and few others that I actually don’t remember names.

Ah, these years were wonderful. Especially recompiling whole Gentoo during winter, which takes 18 hours with an pretty old processor.

Station 2. Why I choose macOS?

At some point, I started to suffer from lack of time. It appeared that using Linux as a desktop system requires a huge amount of time. Every simple thing needs a lot of attention:

setup printer,
connect to the internet via WiFi,
update base system packages (and kernel) requires update or recompile graphics drivers or even rebooting to console-only mode and editing configuration.

I was just tired.

At the end of my adventure with Linux, there was one special day. That day I had deadline for my task at work. Every time I moved some DOM node in browser developers tool, my desktop environment crashed and restarted because two external displays and bug in graphics driver. This takes more than 20 seconds. That day I wanted to throw my laptop through the window.

I said “enough, I don’t care anymore”.

Short e-mail to my boss (why I need computer for about $2000) and… waiting for delivery.

I’ll skip description of my happiness and I will list bunch of arguments, why this computer was really great (or not so great) decision.

It just works

When I used Linux systems, upgrading installed packages or heavy using computer could break everything — network connection, drivers, kernel panics, browsers, etc. I had to repair my system regularly (usually every 1–2 weeks something breaks, especially near task’s deadlines or 5 minutes before leaving work or home). I don’t want to care.

With macOS I need to just open my laptop. It will be ready in 3 seconds. Now, here and working every time.

I repeated this more than 500 times. The result is always the same.

Battery

Until now, I wonder if the battery is a mini-nuclear reactor or something technology that I don’t understand.

It works for 10 hours while browsing the internet or doing other simple tasks. It is not a marketing chatter.
It works for 3–4 hours while heavy usage at work (virtual machine, browsers, 1–2 JetBrains IDE’s and sometimes Photoshop).
It works for 2–3 hours while gaming. This time is achievable while browsing internet with normal laptops.

There are days when I forget that the computers needs power supply. I don’t see any noticeable drop in battery performance after a whole year of daily use (sometimes I work for 14 hours per a day).

Gaming

I tried play games on MacBook and I don’t like it.

There aren’t as many games as for Windows.
I like silence. Every 3D game will run your fan. Until I run the first game I thought my computer has passive cooling.
My computer has just Intel Iris Pro Graphics (~1.5GiB).
I love trackpads and I don’t like switching trackpad-mouse every playing session. Even my old-new Logitech Master MX.
I spend a lot of time to develop my web development skills. There’s no more time in 24 hours day.
I’m not heavy player. I like World of Warcraft, Minecraft, GTAs and 3D-zombie-shooters.

I think that consoles and Windows based computer are better environment for playing games.

Keyboard and trackpad

I really like built-in keyboard and love trackpad in MacBook. They are not only sufficient for work but really comfortable. Keyboard just works good. Trackpad is more like phone’s touch screen than standard touchpad. I even use it for simple Photoshop tasks. When I tried trackpad for first time I sold my mouse.

Fun fact: When I used mouses with normal laptops I spilled coffee or beer regularly (1 cup/glass per about 2–3 months). This could be pretty dangerous for your electronic stuff. When I use trackpad I don’t have to moving my hands while using computer. Over the last year I don’t spilled anything on my desk.

You don’t need any external input devices for many jobs.

Weight

My whole world weighs 2 kg (sorry for my wife and non-SI users). I can easy take a walk for 2 hours with my son and MacBook in my backpack. 3–4 kg bricks are absolutely not mobile devices. They have the possibility to transport, by car.

External ports

MagSafe 2,
2x Thunderbolt 2,
HDMI,
2x USB 3,
3.5 mm headphone (mini-jack),
and SDXC card slot

are completely sufficient number of ports for me. There’s just one thing: I don’t use external devices like keyboard or mouse connected via USB.

Keyboard backlighting and light sensor

They are small and convenient features. It works as well as in phones. No magic here.

Intensity of the keyboard are related to user settings and light sensor.
Display brightness are related to user settings, light sensor and state of connected power supply.

Fn, Control, Alt and Command

Yes… one additional function key. Command, what is that for? It takes many standard-Ctrl keyboard shortcuts. First several days wasn’t easy for me, because I’m really (really really) heavy user of shortcuts (the next task in my TODO list after this article is create script for ordering a pizza mapped to some shortcut).

Why I can’t paste this text with Ctrl-V? Oh, it's Command-V now.

I don’t want to judge which keyboard layout is better. This will be wasting of the time. I just use them.

Price

These devices are expensive, no doubt. Quality (and bitten apple’s logo) costs. Entire list of arguments is explanation where are these prices comes from.

Do you will love Apple’s computers?

The answer is…

Switching from PC to Apple’s devices requires changing your work flow.

This rule is easy as pie, or easier.

If you don’t change your workflow and you buy a MacBook (or similar computer) this will be probably the worst idea for spending your money. And you will hate every mac-computer.