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I had a MBP in 2017, and then—unsurprisingly—the keyboard began to have issues. I didn't even bother asking Apple for a fix; I knew the new keyboard would have

I had a MBP in 2017, and then—unsurprisingly—the keyboard began to have issues. I didn't even bother asking Apple for a fix; I knew the new keyboard would have issues as well. Instead, I got myself a reliable upper-tier ThinkPad for 2/3rds the price of a MBP (and superior hardware), installed GNU/Linux on it, and now I'm living happily ever after. I don't know if I could go back to a MBP after this, honestly. The ThinkPad is spill-proof, sturdy, has an _excellent_ keyboard, and is pretty much the anti-MBP in every way. And it's been a dream. This keyboard issue _is_ way worse than Apple thinks. It caused longtime customers (myself included) to entertain the thought of leaving the Apple ecosystem. And speaking for myself, I haven't looked back.

etimberg 8y ago
I just replaced my old 2011 MBP with a ThinkPad. I couldn't justify the inflated Apple cost for a poor hardware experience. Which ThinkPad did you get?
stanislavb 8y ago
I’m considering the same. What ThinkPad/Linux and does everything work? I used to be a huge Think Pad fan, and wouldn’t mind going back that way
bluedino 8y ago
I really like the Thinkpads, but they don't run OS X
- beckler 8y ago
  That's not entirely true... but it's not exactly kosher. http://x220.mcdonnelltech.com/ http://x220.mcdonnelltech.com/
honkycat 8y ago
I recently did the same, but for different reasons: - I wanted first-class docker support, was tired of the wonkiness of OSX + Docker. Seriously, native Docker is better than any feature OSX can offer me. - OSX lacking a package manager and the dissonance between where OSX installed libraries vs our servers was bugging me - This is dumb but: I run everything in Linux in production. It is nice to be able to ship binaries from my workstation and have them Just Work instead of having to cross compile everything - My work was letting me upgrade my laptop, and I noticed I was paying literally 50% of the price for a LOT more computer with the Galgo Pro compared to a MacBook Pro. I have honestly enjoyed using my System67 Galgo Pro WAY MORE than I ever enjoyed the MacBook. Obviously, if I was a video editor or graphic designer, I would probably go with Windows or OSX.
pault 8y ago
The touch pad is what keeps me on my macbook. Has any other manufacturer managed to create something comparable?
- pembrook 8y ago
  Researched this for many hours last year before upgrading to the 2018 MBP and the answer is...no. I was super worried about the upgrade after all the complaining about this latest gen hardware. To be honest, the 2018 is still the best machine I've ever had. My theory is that most people posturing here as if they're going to switch to a ThinkPad or other windows machine don't remember how much using windows and non-apple hardware sucks. I remember quite vividly as I recently switched from a Thinkpad to the Apple ecosystem just a few years ago. Now if you have the time to fool around with Linux, more power to you, but now that I have kids I've realized spending countless hours fiddling around with drivers and trying to find alternative software was never a good use of my time. My anecdotal experience: Touch Bar mostly useless but also harmless, the 3rd gen keyboard isn't as bad as people say, USB-C is awesome (buying a replacement USB-C cable for my old external HDD actually gave me better speeds even though the new cable is longer), and I don't miss MagSafe now that I can plug into either side of the machine. Oh, and the audio quality is now good enough for watching movies in bed with the wife w/o an external speaker.
- int_19h 8y ago
  Depends on how you define "comparable". I don't think any can match it on precision and sensitivity, but the spectrum is very broad. Thinkpad X1 has a good one - still not as good as MBP, but way better than average. I would also add that, at least with the most recent MBP model, there's one significant downside with its touchpad, and that's its size. On a work laptop that's used for coding, I'd much rather that space go towards full-sized arrow keys, or having dedicated Home/End/PgUp/PgDown keys that don't need Fn. Thinkpads give you that.

etimberg 8y ago

I just replaced my old 2011 MBP with a ThinkPad. I couldn't justify the inflated Apple cost for a poor hardware experience. Which ThinkPad did you get?

stanislavb 8y ago

I’m considering the same. What ThinkPad/Linux and does everything work? I used to be a huge Think Pad fan, and wouldn’t mind going back that way

bluedino 8y ago

I really like the Thinkpads, but they don't run OS X

beckler 8y ago
That's not entirely true... but it's not exactly kosher. http://x220.mcdonnelltech.com/ http://x220.mcdonnelltech.com/

honkycat 8y ago

I recently did the same, but for different reasons: - I wanted first-class docker support, was tired of the wonkiness of OSX + Docker. Seriously, native Docker is better than any feature OSX can offer me. - OSX lacking a package manager and the dissonance between where OSX installed libraries vs our servers was bugging me - This is dumb but: I run everything in Linux in production. It is nice to be able to ship binaries from my workstation and have them Just Work instead of having to cross compile everything - My work was letting me upgrade my laptop, and I noticed I was paying literally 50% of the price for a LOT more computer with the Galgo Pro compared to a MacBook Pro. I have honestly enjoyed using my System67 Galgo Pro WAY MORE than I ever enjoyed the MacBook. Obviously, if I was a video editor or graphic designer, I would probably go with Windows or OSX.

pault 8y ago

The touch pad is what keeps me on my macbook. Has any other manufacturer managed to create something comparable?

pembrook 8y ago
Researched this for many hours last year before upgrading to the 2018 MBP and the answer is...no. I was super worried about the upgrade after all the complaining about this latest gen hardware. To be honest, the 2018 is still the best machine I've ever had. My theory is that most people posturing here as if they're going to switch to a ThinkPad or other windows machine don't remember how much using windows and non-apple hardware sucks. I remember quite vividly as I recently switched from a Thinkpad to the Apple ecosystem just a few years ago. Now if you have the time to fool around with Linux, more power to you, but now that I have kids I've realized spending countless hours fiddling around with drivers and trying to find alternative software was never a good use of my time. My anecdotal experience: Touch Bar mostly useless but also harmless, the 3rd gen keyboard isn't as bad as people say, USB-C is awesome (buying a replacement USB-C cable for my old external HDD actually gave me better speeds even though the new cable is longer), and I don't miss MagSafe now that I can plug into either side of the machine. Oh, and the audio quality is now good enough for watching movies in bed with the wife w/o an external speaker.
int_19h 8y ago
Depends on how you define "comparable". I don't think any can match it on precision and sensitivity, but the spectrum is very broad. Thinkpad X1 has a good one - still not as good as MBP, but way better than average. I would also add that, at least with the most recent MBP model, there's one significant downside with its touchpad, and that's its size. On a work laptop that's used for coding, I'd much rather that space go towards full-sized arrow keys, or having dedicated Home/End/PgUp/PgDown keys that don't need Fn. Thinkpads give you that.