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Comment by overcast | Hacker News Reader

My main desktop is an old 2008 Mac Pro tower that is still going strong. However I've recently been developing on an old(5+ year out of warranty corporate) Dell desktop and laptop running Mint. Because it basically supports nothing I use on my desktop, it's completely distraction free. When I want a gaming experience, I jump on my Windows rig. I agree on all your points though, the MacOS environment is what Linux desktop wishes, and should be. It won't ever reach that level. Until Apple figures out what they ultimately want to do with professionals, I'll continue using 5-10+ year old hardware until it just dies.

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> It won't ever reach that level.

A bold claim! I can't be certain either way but Linux has gotten so much better in terms of usability in the last 4-5 years for newer users.

Both my parents and in-laws had issues with Windows, they are up and away on Ubuntu for the last year and I've never had to solve any issues for them with it.

My colleagues that use Macs cling to the old ideas that second monitors, hibernation, gestures, compatibility is poor on Linux whilst ignoring the same issues they have with more recent version of OSX (wifi dropping, failure to sleep).

If Linux Distros can keep improving I think they'll have a small shot but I wouldn't go far as to say that shot is impossible.

You just can`t compare linux desktop on laptops with macbooks.. just can`t.

It is a bold claim but I agree. I used a Linux desktop for 10 years after ditching Windows but I was often fighting with it. After that I used a Mac for the last 10 years and things are generally smoother. Linux is pretty good these days but there are problems that prevent it from being great and I suspect it will always lag behind a bit. I think most of the problems stem from inferior drivers.

If you've been on OSX for the last 10 years then indeed Linux was very different. Whilst I won't attempt to argue you should swap or anything, I've found modern distros are pretty much plug and go when it comes to wifi/multiple monitors/graphics (things that used to be a real pain).

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