3 years ago I needed a new computer and decided on an 16 inch M1 Macbook Pro, but did lots of overthinking about if I wanted to stick to it. I tried Asahi Linux didn’t have any reasons at the time to use linux over macOS (but there was always the chance I might later), the build quality is 2nd to none, none of my Windows laptops lasted more than a few years.
3 years later, I’ve really been itching to switch to Linux. Two of several reasons: because its DEs are more customizable, it has better documented accessibility APIs if you want to make keyboard navigation software. I reinstalled Asahi Linux and really tried to make it my daily driver, but the lacks of apps would require me to dual boot: Photoshop and Roblox.
I researching again for computers closest to Macbook Pros but none of them come close to its build quality. I think it would be best for me to make my own desktop PC for linux. I don’t think I’d fare well with another windows laptop brand.
Use whatever floats your boat.
Seeing as you have money (you bought a mac), there are probably more than enough linux laptop and desktop brands out there.
Linux Preloaded has an overview. My favourites (because Europe) are:
- Tuxedo Computers 🇩🇪
- Slimbook 🇪🇸
- Starlab Systems 🇬🇧
There’s no need to give your money to anti-competitive business like Apple, HP, Lenovo, etc. You can contribute to an alternative, more open, competitive ecosystem. A new macbook pro costs ~2k€. You can get something roughly similar for 1.2k€ from tuxedo computers: infinity book. You can configure that to have 96GB RAM and 6TB storage and you’re now at about the equivalent price tag. If you want a version with a dedicated NVIDIA graphics card here you go. Or here with an AMD graphics card. Both with 64GB RAM and 2TB storage (4x that of the default macbook pro). Go NVIDIA if you want AI/ML stuff, go AMD if you just want to game.
Those were tuxedo computers laptops, and they have more, but Slimbook has similar laptops (example). Starlab Systems books are more expensive, but still provide more bang for the buck than Apple and are very customisable.
I love my framework but they are not from the Netherlands. They are an american company
Fuck… off the list they go then. Bamboozled, I was.
I dont think Photoshop and Roblox work on Linux at all (Roblox does through Sober right now but probably not for long). Buying another computer will not change that (and iirc mac os also supports dual boot).
However if you buy/build a good enough pc, you can run windows in a vm and use roblox/ps without dual booting.
If you dont strictly need a laptop, then yes I would recommend you build your own desktop pc. But if you do, AFAIK xps and thinkpad line of laptops have pretty good quality. The higher end surface laptops are also good (but very expensive). I cant really recommend much else without knowing what features you expect.
can you run Photoshop with WINE ok?
Havent tried it but it seems like you can make it work: https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?iId=17&sClass=application
My old thinkpad (x61) and mint worked so well together I barely had to install anything. All the hardware was supported.
Run Linux in a VM and share the file system with macOS.
Parallels has really great integration.
I looked at that but it doesn’t feel as nice as Asahi Linux - since it’s not constrained to a VM and brightness and text look better.
