We've been using Linux on our development machines for 15 years to align closely with our staging and production setups, which include Linux, PHP, MariaDB, Apache, ActiveMQ, and a Go socket server. However, we've recently been informed that Linux is no longer allowed company-wide, and we must choose between Mac or Windows. Given that we've transitioned most of our development environment to Docker, I'm curious which option would make for an easier transition: Mac or Windows/WSL?
5 Answers
A lot of people are leaning towards Mac, which I also prefer. But keep in mind the CPU architecture. If your production setup is x86, you might face some emulation issues on Mac, making Windows a smoother experience overall. Since Windows mirrors the production environment more closely, that could be a big plus for your team.
I ran into similar issues with Visual Studio on Windows. It worked fine, but I had to jump through hoops to connect with my local database using Docker.
I'd be updating my resume, honestly. A sudden change like this shows a lack of understanding about developer needs. You might hit difficulties down the road with their decision-making process.
True! Companies often aim for streamline operations, but they don't see the unique needs of development teams.
It's frustrating, for sure. They might be trying to control the environment, but that's counterproductive to efficient dev work.
Honestly, as much as I'm not a huge fan of Mac, it beats using WSL2 on Windows. If your team has been on native Linux, Mac will feel more natural than Slowsville Windows.
When it comes to development, Mac is definitely the way to go. Running Docker on Mac is generally faster than on Windows, especially if you’ve been struggling with Windows speed in the past.
I'm super curious though, what gave management the idea to drop Linux? Sounds like a strange move.
Seems like they’re locking down systems. It’s a common trend with companies trying to limit employee access.
Without a doubt, go with Mac!
I’ve used both, and while Mac has some odd quirks, it’s way better for developers. If you’re a power user, Windows might work for you, but Mac is just more intuitive.
I’m not saying Mac is flawless, but I’d prefer it over Windows anytime.
Totally get what you're saying, but for the tech stack OP is using, Mac is still a better bet overall. Just make sure you have staging environments to catch x86 bugs if they pop up.