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I need a new computer. The smart move, especially considering the cost involved, is to go for what I know; a decent enough desktop build with 3 monitors, linux/

I need a new computer. The smart move, especially considering the cost involved, is to go for what I know; a decent enough desktop build with 3 monitors, linux/windows dual boot. What I've used for years. But it must be said, I've been really tempted by the Macs. I'm not sure why, the 3 main things I do with my personal computer (game dev, playing games, watching things) are things that linux/windows can do at least as good if not better than a Mac, and yet here I am, holding off for months just trying to be convinced into the apple ecosystem. I think its probably just the simplicity of it. I really like the idea of replacing a load of bulk (3 monitors, the vesa mount to hold them, big keyboard, mouse, bulky tower and a metric tonne of cables) with just a single laptop that I can pickup and go with at a moments notice, though Im not sure of the practicalities of that, at least for me. I don't even travel much, it just seems nice. Edit: I know that a lot of people have a mac and a desktop to fill all needs, but that somewhat defeats the simplicity of it for me. One bulky computer is simpler for me than one bulky computer for some things and another much smaller computer for others.

sofixa 4y ago
But the screen estate isn't even close between three monitors and a laptop. A nice middle ground is a laptop with a dock with monitors, that way you have the external screens when you need them, and can also be on the move, on the same computer. Of the three main things you do, i think only watching things is comparable between macOS and Windows/Linux. Gaming is nonexistent on macOS, unless you stream ( either a cloud service like Stadia/GeforceNow or locally from a PC with Steam in-house streaming/Parsec), and i can't imagine doing game dev somewhere you can't even test.
- bodge5000 4y ago
  > But the screen estate isn't even close between three monitors and a laptop Absolutely, which is a large part of the reason I'm not sure its practical for me, but its certainly true that one monitor is simpler than three. I suppose I could eventually get used to just having one monitor, it might even have some advantages, but I'm not sure I'd want to. > A nice middle ground is a laptop with a dock with monitors This is what I've currently got (laptop is a razer blade). In my case at least it just ended up being more messy and difficult than a desktop. Most docks for example are designed for business use and therefore don't provide "clean" USB power, which I found causes issues with audio interfaces and DACs. I just ended up having a small, poorly cooled, difficult to upgrade desktop. After that, I decided no more half measures. I either embrace the minimalism of a laptop alone, or return to a desktop. I know a dock works well for some people, sadly not for me. > Gaming is nonexistent on macOS... i can't imagine doing game dev somewhere you can't even test This is exactly it (plus game dev for apple sillicon is still somewhat lagging behind), it doesnt seem to be a practical option, yet as I still, here I am. Of course theres also non-apple laptops as well which would provide similar simplicity. I love my thinkpads, but I'm just not sure they're powerful enough for me to replace a desktop with, and as for the more powerful of the non-apple laptops, the blade has given me a mistrust of them (only had the thing for a year and the battery has bulged beyond being able to fit it in the chassis)
  - sofixa 4y ago
    Regarding powerful laptops, I've had only good things about the Asus RoG Zephyrus line
    - bodge5000 4y ago
      yeh same here, but something about them puts me off a bit. Maybe its something stupid like the looks, or the fact that I never see them used/mentioned in a professional setting (as opposed to Macs or the framework laptops)

sofixa 4y ago

But the screen estate isn't even close between three monitors and a laptop. A nice middle ground is a laptop with a dock with monitors, that way you have the external screens when you need them, and can also be on the move, on the same computer. Of the three main things you do, i think only watching things is comparable between macOS and Windows/Linux. Gaming is nonexistent on macOS, unless you stream ( either a cloud service like Stadia/GeforceNow or locally from a PC with Steam in-house streaming/Parsec), and i can't imagine doing game dev somewhere you can't even test.

bodge5000 4y ago
> But the screen estate isn't even close between three monitors and a laptop Absolutely, which is a large part of the reason I'm not sure its practical for me, but its certainly true that one monitor is simpler than three. I suppose I could eventually get used to just having one monitor, it might even have some advantages, but I'm not sure I'd want to. > A nice middle ground is a laptop with a dock with monitors This is what I've currently got (laptop is a razer blade). In my case at least it just ended up being more messy and difficult than a desktop. Most docks for example are designed for business use and therefore don't provide "clean" USB power, which I found causes issues with audio interfaces and DACs. I just ended up having a small, poorly cooled, difficult to upgrade desktop. After that, I decided no more half measures. I either embrace the minimalism of a laptop alone, or return to a desktop. I know a dock works well for some people, sadly not for me. > Gaming is nonexistent on macOS... i can't imagine doing game dev somewhere you can't even test This is exactly it (plus game dev for apple sillicon is still somewhat lagging behind), it doesnt seem to be a practical option, yet as I still, here I am. Of course theres also non-apple laptops as well which would provide similar simplicity. I love my thinkpads, but I'm just not sure they're powerful enough for me to replace a desktop with, and as for the more powerful of the non-apple laptops, the blade has given me a mistrust of them (only had the thing for a year and the battery has bulged beyond being able to fit it in the chassis)
- sofixa 4y ago
  Regarding powerful laptops, I've had only good things about the Asus RoG Zephyrus line
  - bodge5000 4y ago
    yeh same here, but something about them puts me off a bit. Maybe its something stupid like the looks, or the fact that I never see them used/mentioned in a professional setting (as opposed to Macs or the framework laptops)