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Comment by bodge5000 | Hacker News Reader

Out of interest, what would you say is better about a Mac specifically (both the hardware and software) compared to a standard windows or linux pc/laptop, aside from build quality (my thinkpads have never let me down)? I've been tempted by a mac for a few years but never close enough to pull the trigger

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For me, as a mainly Linux user :

  - build quality ;
 
  - general characteristics (screen quality, weight, size factor, build materials);
 
  - power/battery life balance (the M1s are amazing);
 
  - can be mostly handled like a Linux-ishy thing not too far away from my desktop computer thanks to Nix;

  - the gorgeous trackpad.

Frankly, it's not just one thing. It's the seamless experience. Your experience might be different but coming from bulky Lenovo laptop with windows on it to the sleek machine which you are able to just open the lid and get to work is mind blowing for me.

On Mac, I don't remember the last time I shut down my machine or close the applications. All with out sacrificing the battery time. It's just there for me when ever I want to get back to work.

If you are on the fence, give it a try.

Battery life and hibernate behaviour is unmatched on a Mac. Nothing else comes close. I’ve never rebooted less.

The trackpads are absolutely the best by a long way in my experience too, every other laptop's trackpad feels like cheap crap once you've tried a MacBook's one in my opinion. I even replaced my mouse with an external trackpad, I've not used a traditional mouse in a year.

How did that worked out ergonomically ? Does it work with other devices (still need to login into a windows machine to connect to linux work machine) ?

I'm 100% on macOS now after a job change, but yeah it does work with other devices. I know someone using one on a Linux desktop without issues although it did need a little tweaking apparently, can't speak for Windows but I've heard they work too!

As for ergonomics it fits my workflow of having lots of virtual desktops and full screen apps open, panning between them with the trackpad. Especially when on a laptop the gesture-based approach feels a lot quicker than picking up a mouse. I'm becoming more and more of a terminal monkey these days so it's less relevant but I'd still recommend them to anyone.

Absolutely, you are always in the flow. With the new machines with the finger print sensors the experience is even smoother no need for typing the password as well.

I think the main thing keeping me on the fence is probably games. I wouldn't call myself a massive gamer or anything, but I do like to play occasionally. Obviously with macsthats both a hardware and software issue.

Other than that, last I checked everything else I use daily is compatible with the new M1 chips (though I need to double check Godot Mono) so it really is just that holding me back. Not sure if I'd go with a macbook or mac mini since it'll be in the same place 90% of the time, but I think they're probably comparable either way.

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