3 years ago I needed a new computer and decided on an 16 inch M1 Macbook Pro, but did lots of overthinking about if I wanted to stick to it. I tried Asahi Linux didn’t have any reasons at the time to use linux over macOS (but there was always the chance I might later), the build quality is 2nd to none, none of my Windows laptops lasted more than a few years.
3 years later, I’ve really been itching to switch to Linux. Two of several reasons: because its DEs are more customizable, it has better documented accessibility APIs if you want to make keyboard navigation software. I reinstalled Asahi Linux and really tried to make it my daily driver, but the lacks of apps would require me to dual boot: Photoshop and Roblox.
I researching again for computers closest to Macbook Pros but none of them come close to its build quality. I think it would be best for me to make my own desktop PC for linux. I don’t think I’d fare well with another windows laptop brand.
The only thing that makes me question that is my current laptop not having a working headphone jack port. It’s most likely a hardware issue that I would need to put a ton of work into figuring out why it isn’t working properly. It’s a Samsung Galaxy Book, so I would have to look up the specific model and find out what hardware they use, which I’m not too fussed about since I can just begrudgingly use bluetooth.
Same type of issue with the last shitty worse-than-a-toaster laptop with detachable touchscreen monitor laptop I used to have that ran Ubuntu (my first experience with Linux in general).
Headphone jacks on laptops are the bane of my existence when it comes to Linux (obviously not including android because I count that as its’ own separate entity).
I have a Framework 16. Is it as well-built, efficient, or quiet as a MacBook Pro? Nope. But if something breaks I can easily replace it, and I can upgrade it without having to throw everything away. Also, hot-swappable ports. That’s nice too.
It’s all about trade-offs in the end.
I second the Framework laptops. I’ve bought 4 Framework 13s so far, and no issues with any of them.
What are people doing with their laptops, mine never break, except one time when I knocked a cup of water into one in 2005.
My latest one, Asus Zenbook is already 3 years old and no issues. Has a dent in the top cover where a nurse kicked my bag when I was in hospital.
My previous one, a dell Inspiron which my 9yo has had for 2 years, is 6 years old, he is not gentle.
Previous to that, I had a work supplied Alienware that lasted 7 years, I traveled internationally with that one quite a few times.
Not sure if I’m lucky, or more careful than average. But I hear about “build quality” issues a lot in internet posts. I’ve just never seen it in the wild…
Note: all ran/run various flavours of Linux.
I really don’t understand why people bother with Adobe products. I’ve been using Gimp for like 20 years and it’s never been lacking. I’ve never once thought about re-pirating Photoshop.
Garageband on the other hand… I would kill for a linux equivalent.
Text on GIMP absolutely blows. I have way less issues working with DDS files on PS compared to GIMP. I also used to have issues with fuzzy select but that may have been a skill issue on my part.
(I haven’t gotten a chance to work with 3.0)
