[rbut]

Not Arch, but macOS to Linux related.

As a developer, used macOS for 13 years. Switched to Ubuntu after Apple went to M1.

It's been pretty much flawless and required no more tweaks during setup than a typical macOS install would. Developing on the same environment as our servers is a massive plus.

The key is choosing the right hardware from the start. For my desktop, I chose an Asus TUF gaming motherboard that had everything Intel. For my laptop, I chose a laptop that is supported by the manufacturer, in this case a Dell XPS 13.

(Selecting the correct hardware is no different to creating a Hackintosh setup, but the hardware support is infinitely better)

[kaladin-jasnah]

Not only is the hardware support better, but even with good hardware support, you have to do more on Hackintoshes (manually download and copy tens of kexts, edit a very, very long plist file for OpenCore, screw with the serial number if you want iMesasge, etc., etc.). Linux usually "just works."

[bigmadwolf]

True. For a Hack as with Linux, using compatible hardware is the key. However once that configuration process is done (and done right) from then on its typically a rock solid experience until the next major Mac OS version upgrade. In some ways it is superior to an actual Mac since you have the ability to inject kexts without having to stuff around with reboot to recovery mode, disabling SIP to install and so on. OpenCore is an impressive piece of software.

[kaladin-jasnah]

> OpenCore is an impressive piece of software.

100% agree with this in every way possible.

Cannot detract from how many features it (Audio support for boot chimes? Full graphics support? How many Linux bootloaders have that?). Tons and tons of configuration options and settings that you'll need to get a working Hackintosh.

Yes, OpenCore is an extremely impressive piece of software. It would be nice if Linux bootloaders even approached the featureset and level of polish that OpenCore has.

[SamuelAdams]

Just curious, how’s the trackpad compared to a recent MacBook Pro?

I’ve been using my Thinkpad T490 with Debian for 3 years and it’s fine. But then I tried the new MacBook Pro and that trackpad is very nice indeed. Feels a lot more precise. And the attention to smaller details and a consistent UI is nice to see too.

I’ve also been kind of peeved about several small things in Linux lately. Installing apps is not simple anymore. It started as apt-get and deb files. Now there’s flatpak and app images and electron which all have different install flows. Sometimes my Ethernet connection would, after resuming from sleep, drop to 100 Mbps until I reboot. Suspend doesn’t really work consistently. Tried installing Alfred (spotlight-like search / app launcher) and that seems to be flakey too. Mapped it to alt+ space but that doesn’t always enable it to come up.

[rbut]

I’m pretty picky about trackpads and the XPS 13 is as good as my Late 2013 Macbook Pro, or even better. (The MacBook trackpad was only good in macOS, the windows/linux drivers were never as good)

Its large enough, no accidental registrations due to palm and the right click is actually physical (which I find better than the Macbook’s double finger right-click tap).

[timbit42]

You can avoid snaps and flatpack with Linux Mint or Debian. They still support them but their repos have had everything I need without using snaps or flatpack.

[acomjean]

I went Mac->linux too. I took the notebook route when apple wasn't making anything compelling 3 years ago. I did the pay to solve compatibility problem (I bought a system76). It really has been pretty flawless in terms of upgrades and install. A fan broke after a couple years, but I replaced.. It even runs Steam very well.

Its not great with power unless I switch to "intel graphics" from Nvidia. (The intel graphics don't drive external monitors though..).

Very happy with it.