Re: FN-FORUM: Mac vs Linux advice?

date posted 11th January 2005 18:26

Joe Freeman wrote:
> I've heard plenty of great things about those little white boxes, but
> I'm sure there are some bad points as well? I'd quite like to be able
> to compare Mac OS(X) to Linux?

This might not quite be what you're looking for but who knows...

Ok a quick bit of background. I used to be 100% PC based (desktop
admittedly) and have used lots of laptops. Moved into a new office,
wanted portability of equipment, was looking much like you are at PC
laptops and wondering what the best option would be. Ended up buying a
PowerBook and now I can run *nix if I want or I can just fire up an
iTerm window and do all the consoley goodness anyway.

Realistically though an Apple means expensive hardware (but well built)
and a funky looking interface (which I find sometimes slows things up).
It certainly isn't Linux but so much software is easily portable to it
(via fink) or natively that many apps are available. Lots of Linuxey
stuff can be compiled by hand for the OS specifically.

Personally I went for a 15" 1.5ghz and didn't get extra RAM (only 512mb)
which was a mistake (as I now have to buy two 512mb sticks as it's only
got two slots and they're both filled with 256mb sticks - doh).

I've not run a Linux laptop but considering what you get out of the box
with an Apple and knowing how long it can take to get a *nix desktop
(let alone a laptop) to where you want it from scratch it's no
competition really - although I appreciate that hardcore freaks will be
quite happy to do this...

I'd say it's best of both worlds...

I was going to sign off "I love my powerbook" :)

Cheers

George
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