Hey everyone! I'm a professional software engineer who usually develops on Linux. At home, I dual-boot Windows and Linux, using Windows for everyday tasks and Linux for development. I've never used a Mac before and I'm not familiar with macOS.
I'm about to start my PhD and my department is buying me a new laptop. I can choose between a Mac or a Dell running Windows. I've been told I could dual-boot the Dell if I wanted to, but I've heard great things about Mac hardware. However, I'm concerned about the lack of customization compared to my Linux setup. I really enjoy my current Linux environment and I'm wondering if a Mac would be too restrictive for my development needs. Would it make sense to go for the Mac anyway? How does macOS really compare to what I'm used to?
4 Answers
Don't fret too much about macOS being restrictive. It supports most programming tools you’re used to from Linux without too much hassle. There's a bit of a learning curve, but if you’re comfortable in a terminal, you’ll adapt quickly!
Get the laptop that everyone in your department is using! It helps so much to have colleagues there who can assist with any issues that pop up. Being the odd one out as the only Windows user can be tough!
It sounds like your primary concern is the lack of customization. Sure, you might not find a tiling window manager like i3 on macOS, but the overall experience is pretty Unix-like. You'll get a close match with regular Linux commands. Just a heads-up, you might have to adjust to some differences in scripting and commands, but nothing you can't handle!
Honestly, I think you'd be happy with a Mac. In my experience, the hardware is solid, and everything's generally hassle-free with macOS. A lot of developers at my company use Macs too, and we do most Linux-related tasks inside containers, which works great! Plus, you can easily integrate with your iPhone if that's your thing. If you're worried about customization, it really depends on what you're looking for. Most Linux stuff runs fine on Mac, and it doesn't have to be a bad choice either way - especially if you skip using Windows on that Dell!
I’ve worked in places like Google and Amazon, and Macs were the way to go. The performance is smooth, and I can run my Linux tools through the CLI just fine. Plus, I find the mobile experience of MacBooks really convenient for hot-swapping between screens at work.
I really love my i3 at work and worry about missing it too. But, hey, just think of macOS as a polished version of what you know! And don't forget to check out Homebrew for package management—it'll make things easier.