Ask HN: Have you switched from a MacBook to a Linux laptop?

2 points·christophilus··7 comments

If so, how's the trackpad? Which laptop did you switch to? Are you happy with the switch? I love the trackpad on my Mac, and have yet to find anything else remotely as good. I can't stand the keyboard or touch bar. I'd love to find a Linux laptop that: has a good trackpad, good keyboard, and 5k external monitor support.

View on HN

Switched to Dell XPS 15 from Macbook because I can't justify the value of Macbook Pro anymore.

It's a solid machine. Extendable. 4k OLED display.

The downside is definitely the quality of Trackpad and Keyboard. Apple has figured out that part relatively well.

> Apple has figured out that part relatively well.

I'm assuming this is not referring to their Butterfly design? That was not a well working keyboard.

Yes.

I switched to Windows because of WSL and I am also 90% in WSL. Trackpad (Thinkpad) is very close to a Macbook. Keyboard is way better and 5k support is also good through TB3. Hidpi support on Linux is a mixed bag, they get slowly there but it's not as good as on a Mac or Windows => hence Windows with WSL, so I enjoy a real Linux console in a hidpi environment. Besides, the Windows systems feels more responsive than my Mac, typing, moving windows, etc.

Call me cheapo but I use a $150 desktop that I then maxed out with 20 gigs of RAM and two GPUs. I never have to take my environment out of my house so I can't see the reason for even using a laptop seems like another thing to lose or get stolen compared to a desktop at home.

Yes I did the switch. I'm a programmer so switch didn't cause any major problems for me. I'm using HUAWEI mate book. Trackpad is good no problem whatsoever. Only issue I always face with Ubuntu is it's audio volume. It's way lower than Mac or windows

Ubuntu 19.10 on a late 2015 Macbook Pro is a dream.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com