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> PopOS is great! It is definitely one of the best Linux desktops I’ve used. Manjaro gives it a nice run for it’s money… But.. next year is going to be the year
by movover 4y ago
> PopOS is great! It is definitely one of the best Linux desktops I’ve used. Manjaro gives it a nice run for it’s money… But.. next year is going to be the year of the Linux desktop! No disrespect to @jeremy_soller, because he is doing a killer job on Pop, but even in 2022, the Linux desktop is RC Cola, and MacOS is Genuine Coke Cola. I’m sure there are die hard RC Cola fans, but most of the world will definitely still prefer Coke Cola.
I believe your understanding of Linux as a desktop is woefully outdated, by perhaps over a decade. As someone who has to use all 3 big desktop operating systems for work (Linux via Pop!_OS, Windows, and macOS) and has used nearly every iteration of each operating system over the past 2 decades, I don't know how you came to this conclusion. The only area I could see macOS beating out Pop is in UX... if I didn't know how to use a computer and wanted the most frustrating experience available but also didn't know better.
This isn't just my take either - older, completely tech-illiterate family members of mine have tried out various laptops over the years that ran all of the operating systems (adding onto those big 3 OSes, they've also tried ChromeOS), and as of right now, every laptop in my family runs Pop!_OS. When it comes time for them to upgrade their laptops, they specifically ask if I'll be able to setup Pop on their new machines. They do not have to muck around in terminals or anything like that - I setup Pop, teach them how to update it and how to perform the basic tasks they need, and the laptop remains operational for years. Compared to when they were on Windows and macOS, I get significantly fewer support calls throughout the year when they're on Pop.
Not only is macOS UX, security, and performance lackluster compared to Linux, but it's also not even close to being as widely adopted as you claim to make it the "Coca Cola of operating systems". Windows holds that title, and that's solely due to how pervasive Windows is throughout schools and businesses, along with the fact that the vast majority of schools (at least in the US) teach students how to use Microsoft-based software like Office.
Even if I had to use a Macbook (which I would never), Pop would be installed onto it from day 1, or else I'd opt to not use the laptop all together. Even if the Macbook has superior hardware to another laptop, if the Macbook has to run macOS and the other laptop runs Pop!_OS, I'd use the other laptop.
This doesn't even touch on the fact that Linux is an open and free operating system (which again, this is a non-negotiable must-have), whereas macOS is heavily locked down and closed source. Nor does it touch on the fact that modern Linux can play nearly every Windows game with little to no issues and it generally just works 'out of the box' or needs a few applications installed, whereas the same cannot be said for macOS - there's much more work required within the terminal to achieve a lesser, often buggier result.
While I agree with you that the overall build quality of the Lemur Pro isn't as polished as a Macbook (which is why I opted for a Framework laptop recently, in fact) and other physical aspects of the machine like its touchpad, I disagree completely with your assessment of the operating systems. Pop!_OS on a M1 Macbook would be a better experience than macOS on a Macbook.
- jmondi 4y agoI had a Linux desktop running Manjaro circa 2014-2017. From late 2019 - early 2022 I used my Lemur Pro with PopOS full time as my main machine, 8+ hours a day. I would entirely disagree with the statement that my understanding of linux desktop is out of date. That is, unless you consider using Linux Desktop in early 2022 out of date. You say that linux is a totally open operating system. Yeah… if you know the command line. That is kinda my point. It isn’t great for people unless they are computer power users. I’ve been a Linux user for almost 2 decades, I’ve tried everything under the sun. I run Linux servers all day every day for work. I know how it is. Sure… you can get your grandpa to use PopOS by saying “only press this website and email icon and you’ll be fine”, and I agree with that. Give my Lemur Pro to my wife, who can use either Windows or Mac, she would be like “how do I <insert some random thing that she is used to doing on a consumer OS>, and when the answer starts with “open terminal”, she would look at me like I am an insane person. Mac and Linux are as secure (or not) as you make them. Literally neither one is that much more or less secure than the other one. If you wanna field calls from your family teaching them how to run a Linux desktop, more power to you. As for me, I’ll be getting my family members a PC or Mac (their choice) and calling it a day.
- niclo 4y agoPretty much agree, was going to make a similar but shorter comment. To me it feels like the opposite, Windows is the true Coke Cola just because some things work better and the vast majority of people use it like you suggest, Linux is some fresh Pepsi (to say, I know the other is more popular but I don't care and prefer its unique taste) and macOS is some ok discount cola, which is alright but nothing people should go proud of drinking.
- jmondi 4y agoThere is absolutely no way that MacOS is the bottom. Sure, 100% Windows is Coke Cola. But a Linux desktop vs a Mac… ask 100 people in the world (not Hacker News) to choose between a Mac and a System76 machine, 97 of them are choosing the Mac. Doesn’t really change anything re: the review though. I had the Lemur Pro for 2 years and used it as my main coding machine. I used it 8+ hours a day for years. It was a solid machine. I bought it because I refused to buy a Touch Bar MacBook. Once the 14” M1 came out… it was over. The M1 is faster, more reliable, has a longer battery life, a higher resolution and brighter screen, and imo has better software. Sure, free software is great, and I contribute to, and use a boatload of OSS, but a lot of times, you get what you pay for, or not. Ultimately the experience compared to a 14” MBP is, there is no comparison imo, the MacBook hardware blows it out of the water in all aspects.