I'm using a 2009 MBP and the Linux experience is frustrating. (I'm not even dual booting)
It's fine if you enjoy tinkering with the system and finding different drivers and so on, and it's probably good as a learning experience. (WIFI doesn't work. Some models don't have ethernet. That's a fun and relatively easy puzzle to solve).
Have you tried installing the Infiniality bundle? It's a replacement set of libraries that definitely improved the font rendering in Arch, to my eyes at least.
Have you tried Ubuntu 14.04? My sister just installed it on her MBP and she hasn't had any issues except with the track pad, which she was abe to fix (not sure how). Don't install arch unless you're ready to tweak some configuration files.
I have a MBPR with the current Ubuntu.
For non techies I'd say: Too hard (just use MacOS).
For techies: No {, } and no @ (need to copy it from somewhere). I still prefer it over MacOS. Nice Hardware + dualboot with MacOS. I actually like it: It's slim, silent and feels great. The Metalcase can be cold sometimes. Retina-Dispay requires you to zoom in on webpages (Strg & "+"), but that works well. Can be a good choice for HN readers. Someone wrote "it's the best Hardware & the best Software" and I agree
I know its stupid, but I just love arch. Moving to anything else just don't seem right.
How did ubuntu fix font issues?
That code should be FOSS!
Let me see how I can make that run on arch ;)
PS: I use a very minimal arch machine with i3 wm (the most awesome WM ever and I pretty much hate gnome and unity religiously. I think KDE is a bloat) I'll soon have a look at it again, and will post here if something good comes along.
I'm using a 2009 MBP and the Linux experience is frustrating. (I'm not even dual booting)
It's fine if you enjoy tinkering with the system and finding different drivers and so on, and it's probably good as a learning experience. (WIFI doesn't work. Some models don't have ethernet. That's a fun and relatively easy puzzle to solve).