You Probably Don't Need a Mac

As a creatives I hear your pain! I divorced my Mac a few ago...so I just went GUI-less with a Linux kernel. Haven’t been happier. Don't recommend if you aren’t comfortable with the CLI

Good to hear it was useful. It's worth spending a moment to configure your .gitpod.yml config file to make the experience seamless. Things like port settings, custom Docker image, automatically preparing environments for PRs etc.

Also, you can use mikenikles as a coupon code to get 30% off for three months if you decide to continue using it.

Lastly, you can reach me via DM on Twitter if you want to discuss anything re: Gitpod.

This is so true. Especially when tha last MacBook/MacAir that really works as it should is 2015 model. And that was also with the price that was at least 20-30% higher than the real value of it. Models after 2015 have many issues - almost 80% of keyboards break in the first year or two, many 2017 models have issue with display that Apple still won't admit so you must pay 700$ for them to replace something they design to break, and these two problems are just a tip of the iceberg with after 2015 Mac machines. Even lot cheaper Windows10 machines are more stable than Macs. MacAir 2020 has 100 degrees Celsius CPU even while you're browsing the internet or watching Youtube video.
I also have a company's Mac, because of mobile development, and it has so many issues, especially with the keyboard and overheating, and it's the 2018 model that costed 3000€ when bought. If you need a Mac for iOS or MacOS development better take some used 2015 model, it will be better and a lot cheaper. If you don't, then just buy a strong non-Mac machine and dualboot Linux and Windows, it doesn't hurt to play some nice video game from time to time :)

If you don't need a laptop then a 2009/2010 Mac Pro is still a strong option. You can easily and cheaply upgrade to a 6 core (12 cores if you have a dual socket model), memory is cheap and it has standard PCIe slots so you can whack in a SSD and decent graphics card.

I have macOS and Windows running on mine so I can switch to Windows when I feel like a gaming session.

What do you think of Windows and WSL2 as another alternative?

Can you please share your NUC configuration?

Well, you don't really need a i7 or a huge amount of ram. I5 with 8gb is more than enough for web dev. Also you don't really need a shiny new nuc you could go with much cheaper option. So it all comes to the question - how much are we ready to pay for our toys! Some will be happy with used $400 laptop, some needed latest and greatest and in most cases that is not performance they are after.

I have a MacBook and a Linux desktop for work and a Linux at home. I much prefer Linux. And the cost is ridiculous. I feel like like people are paying a thousand dollars for the glowing logo and the privilege of renting a bajillion gigs of hard drive to run xcode.

Can you tell me the difference between a real Mac or a Hackintosh? I want to hear the things that hide inside the holes. Which one nobody wants to talk about.

25 years as a developer and I don't think I have ever used a Mac. Always windows. Am I doing something wrong?

And if you do need a Mac to build Apple-specific apps for MacOS or iOS, it might be more profitable to lend one at macincloud dot com.

Well, first of all, it's never too late to become a lawyer if you want to! I'm a fellow programmer as well, worked in the industry for many years, but aside from that I later started video editing, eventually got to do it professionally and now, I'm doing a double major (Economics & Business Administration), and a minor in Law.

I've been using Apple's operating system for more than 15 years now, and to be honest, I neither feel the need nor the desire to switch back to Windows.

While Windows 10 now is a huge improvement, I feel that it comes down to what operating system makes you feel more comfortable and efficient at your work. More or less, either macOS, Windows or Linux are considered pretty stable.

Before I got involved with Graphic design and Video, I was on Linux as well, but then I needed Adobe software, so I had to choose, go back to Windows or switch to Mac?

Keep in mind, that was late 2005, the current version back then was Windows XP and Mac OS X Tiger, both with ups and downs! Apple has just started to switch from PowerPC to Intel-based architecture, so I told to myself, let's give it a shot since I have already tried Windows and Linux, why not trying Mac as well?

I ended up buying the first 17" MacBook Pro, at 2006, and that was the point of no return to me, for some reason I was blown away and I just loved it, I love the OS until today and I'm not willing to move to another OS because I feel very comfortable and stable.

That being said, I will agree with you about the price. Apple's hardware, in comparison to PC hardware at the same price range, is unacceptable in my opinion; thus, I switched to Hackintosh.

For me, switching to Hackintosh was the best decision I've made, regarding computer choices.

If you choose proper hardware, and you set it properly, trust me, you won't have any issues. I run a multimonitor setup, and not only it is stable and smooth but costs the ⅓ of the price that I would have to pay if I were to buy the hardware from Apple.

Of course, you can't legally have a Hackintosh in your office, although there are workarounds, that's why I have a MacBook Pro by my side.

To conclude, it comes down to what you feel comfortable with. I feel that we are at a point where there aren't bad and good operating systems, they are pretty much at the same level, with Linux lacking a bit from a mainstream software support perspective, macOS lacking a lot from a Gaming perspective, and Windows kind of balancing them both without the wow factor that (at least for me), macOS has.

Cloud and web technologies have come a long way. This year I moved from having a high-end Windows gaming laptop and a Mac Mini (and previously owning only a MacBook Pro) to just having a Chromebook. PWAs are awesome. I use Photopea for image manipulation, Visual Studio Codespaces for web and mobile development (you can self-host an environment or use Azure), and Shadow for gaming. I have a 300 GBP Chromebook (excl VAT) and the battery life while doing these tasks are immense, the touchscreen is nice and high resolution and I can't be happier. I do have an unlimited data phone plan though due to the need to be able to do these tasks while traveling, but ChromeOS integrates so nicely with Android that you can share internet with zero hassle.

It's also important to note that ChromeOS devices are immensely secure and can run Android and Linux applications.

Most of the time I'm surprised at the value I get from this machine, as I have three virtual desktops going most of the time for work relating to two companies and my own personal stuff.

I really like Mac because of its Unix nature and optimised drivers. WSL kind of tells me that Microsoft acknowledges they missed the boat all those years ago when they pulled back in face of the Unix wars.

One really cool tip for Mac users: try combining your favorite shell scripts (ffmpeg I'm looking at you) with Automator's Quick Actions. It's mind-blowing.

I prefer Mac because Windows laptops are terrible. When you compare machines similar in specs to the MacBook Pro, the price is very similar and usually at the cost of less battery life, lesser build quality and poor reliability. The Dell XPS or Razer Blade is the closest you get with Windows and they're just as expensive and plagued with way more issues.

For desktops, the Mac Mini used to be awesome because you could buy the base model and upgrade the rest but now the only thing you can upgrade is the RAM, which will save you a good bit... But the base model comes with a puny i3 for that price. No thanks.

The iMac is the way to go. The 27" with the 5K panel is a STEAL for the price. A similar monitor alone would cost around the same amount and what you'd have left wouldn't buy you anything past an entry level beater computer.