[randmeerkat]

> Mac hardware, on the other hand, has never been better than it is right now!

I thought the same until trying a framework laptop with Ubuntu. Mac is the “IBM” choice, no one gets fired for choosing it, but quite frankly there’s better options these days.

[ghqst]

A framework laptop is very nice, and definitely has a lot of upsides, but it can't match screen, keyboard, trackpad, camera, or speaker quality with a MacBook Pro, not to mention the battery life.

[akho]

Those may be nice for people who need them, and are ok with the software side.

for me, the screen on the framework is ok. I think there's little to gain with LCDs at this point. The trackpad on the framework is smaller, so it's better. A nicer camera requires a nicer piece of tape to cover it, I guess. Notification beeps do not require Atmos or whatever. I can pack a powerbank for trans-oceanic flights, but I'm usually at a desk if I work long stretches.

Having nicer stuff would be nice, but the value proposition does not work for me in light of the software situation.

[sorcercode]

so

1 - compromised hardware over better software is a trade-off you're willing to make and 2 - you believe that the Framework software experience is better than macOS

i can concede 2 (if true, I've not used a Framework laptop) but I don't understand point 1. packing a powerbank for example just feels ancient if you've used the arm chip macs. then again, I'm now pushing my trade-off

[viraptor]

It's going to be a different experience for everyone. For example I never get why people care about the laptop weight. You put it in your backpack anyway, (unless it's a small handbag sized laptop situation then fair enough) it's not like anything below 5kg will be noticeable in reality. Yet for others is a big deal. Personal preferences...

[sorcercode]

that's fair. i do think it's personal preferences in the end.

[akho]

"Packing a powerbank" was more of a hypothetical, as I've never actually had to.

My point was that it's a tradeoff between software preference, tech politics, price, and hardware features. I think it's pretty easy to understand. It's not like Apple has an insurmountable lead; there are some benefits for some use cases.

[linguae]

I concur. I have a Framework 13 I use as my personal laptop and a work-issued M3 MacBook Pro. While I love the freedom that my Framework 13 provides in terms of user serviceability and operating system choice, the MacBook Pro feels more premium, and it has absolutely amazing battery life.

[lostmsu]

What do people like about MacBook trackpads? I can't stand them because you can only do a "click" action at the bottom of the thing, but there's nothing tactile that would help you to find it.

[throw-the-towel]

And other laptops that imitate this are even worse. Like, where does the left button end, and right button start?

[lostmsu]

That's rarely a problem: bottom right corner is right and almost all the rest is left

[hwj]

I enabled the tap (System Settings) so I can "click" everywhere.