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Comment by koonsolo | Hacker News Reader

I'm a Linux guy, not an Apple fan. But the hardware is always top notch. If you look at the MacBook: the trackpad, the sound, the battery life, the overall quality, ... I haven't found any laptop hardware that comes even close to it.

If you know a product that does, please let me know so I can buy one and run Linux on it :).

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To me it’s the same conundrum as for the iPad: the hardware is really well made, but it stays very conservative on the form factor, and the software doesn’t take full advantage of it.

For the iPad it’s obvious, for the mac:

- third party OS support non existent (Asahi linux is good, but nowhere near completion), no dual-boot for windows anymore

- unix compatibily has fallen behind with the Apple Silicon move

- GPU capabilities unavailable for existing windows/Linux frameworks (gaming and ML impacted)

- kernel extensions getting deprecated impacts many hacks that were QOL improvements

- no touchscreen (you may want it or not, but arguably it has potential for use)

- no flip screen (goes hand in hand with the touchscreen)

They could solve these in the near future, and none of these are individually deal breakers, but cumulatively these are enough limitations that a worse hardware platform coming with better software becomes a viable choice in many cases.

Personally I’m planning moving away to probably a Chromebook + linux or windows laptop when my current setup finally dies.

I have a Dell XPS from around 2018 that I run arch on. Only issue I've had is needing to replace the battery once due to swelling (very easy to swap), but otherwise the hardware and specs are on par with my work assigned Macbook.

But how does it feel to use? On my MacBook Pro, the trackpad and keyboard feel like I am manipulating text and windows at the speed of thought. On my work-assigned Dell, with specs ~matching my MacBook, it feels like there's a hidden friction to everything I do. Like going from skating on ice to jogging on sand.

Had a 2019 16" XPS and I'd describe the keyboard as borderline unusable. It was weirdly squeaky and if you hit a key on the edge a bit it just wouldn't register so I had so many typing mistakes.

I have never noticed any friction when performing any task on my XPS. I will admit I'm not a Mac/Apple guy myself, so for me it's the opposite (I'm much slower on my work Mac than doing the same thing on my personal Dell)

I have had a few dell XPSs, newest one was a 2019 one and they work, but they were not even close to the quality of the full macbook package. The keyboard was dogshit, the webcam didn't work on linux, the mic picked up huge amounts of fan noise, finger print scanner didn't work on linux and the maintainers of the open source drivers believed the hardware to be critically insecure so there is no reason you'd want it supported anyway.

You could upgrade the ram on the 16" versions though which is nice. Although this is still not something I have ever done on a laptop. The new Macbooks now have easily replaceable batteries which is a welcome change.

Apple hardware is only top notch when you limit yourself to apple's walled garden of software and peripherals. The hardware (and software) is over-fit and has proprietary processes that make otherwise simple hardware tasks on most platforms impossible in an apple latop. The M1/M2 processors are great, but don't try to change the SSD or run an external monitor in an apple laptop.

> but don't try to change the SSD or run an external monitor in an apple laptop.

I run two monitors off my M1 mbp - works for me

> I run two monitors off my M1 mbp - works for me

Lucky you. It works horribly for me - any time the screen is locked (corporate policy locks it after a certain period of inactivity) the OS forgets all about the external screens.

When I unlock the machine, all my windows are on the internal screen.

There's a setting somewhere along the lines of "each display is an individual workspace" that "fixes" the issue by making each screen an independent workspace, which still won't remember where the windows are.

Record your preferred screen config using displayplacer [1] and then run that via a shortcut.

[1]: https://github.com/jakehilborn/displayplacer

> or run an external monitor in an apple laptop.

I have a Dell monitor with a mouse connected to it. I can connect my Linux laptop with a single USB3 for monitor, mouse and power. The MacBook does the same.

Agree. I have so many problems with my Mac Mini it is by far the worst device I ever owned.

- It randomly disconnects bluetooth for 30-40s. Especially annoying during calls. When your headset & keyboard stop working and you don't have a way of make anyone know.

- The processor goes full throttle out of blue. Makes my fan go 100% for good 5-10 minutes.

- From time to time it refuses to wake up my monitor and I need to force shut down it.

Nothing beats the keyboard on Thinkpads. You can also get insanely good warranties on them. X1 Carbons match Apple on build quality, displays and price. Apple probably wins on performance, sound and battery life.

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