Re:Ask HN: Is Linux for laptop worth the trouble?
by exe34 on Friday July 18, 2025 @08:11AM
(#44603823)
> With my mac I have far fewer, but the ones you have, you’re often stuck with. Generally these are about flakiness with the automagic stuff. Like the camera feed switching to your iphone for a while (whether you want it or not), then suddenly refusing for weeks even when you do want it
This is the kind of thing I could absolutely not stand unless I was getting paid for it. I paid for the laptop. This button does X. When I press this button, it needs to do X. Let me at least fix it so that it does X. If it was a free laptop or I was getting paid to sit around waiting for X to work again, that's absolutely fine. But if I paid for it, it should either work or let me fix it.
Re:Ask HN: Is Linux for laptop worth the trouble?
by fxtentacle on Friday July 18, 2025 @12:01PM
(#44606267)
With that attitude, you will hate all Apple products. If stuff breaks, you drive to the genius bar and they’ll helpfully exchange your hardware for another one. And if it’s a software bug, your only option is to patiently wait.
Re:Ask HN: Is Linux for laptop worth the trouble?
by exe34 on Friday July 18, 2025 @12:13PM
(#44606425)
> your only option is to patiently wait.
I have a mid-2012 mac book air but I've been running nixos on it since 2016. Hasn't failed me yet.
Re:Ask HN: Is Linux for laptop worth the trouble?
by yoyojojofosho on Friday July 18, 2025 @08:49AM
(#44604138)
For i3 WM on macOS, what about https://github.com/nikitabobko/AeroSpace?
On the other hand most of these microcuts can be researched, solved or scripted away. With my mac I have far fewer, but the ones you have, you’re often stuck with. Generally these are about flakiness with the automagic stuff. Like the camera feed switching to your iphone for a while (whether you want it or not), then suddenly refusing for weeks even when you do want it.
Also, the mac has no tiling wm that comes within a parsec of i3. I miss i3 daily. So. Much. Especially with multiple screens.
But then again, I enjoy opening the lid of my laptop daily as well. And being able to close the lid and put it in my bag, without first listening if it succesfully went to sleep. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I guess what I’m saying is: pick the annoyances that give you the smallest emotional response at this time in your life.