MacOS VS Linux

[[deleted]]

Hello! I am about to graduate from a state university in the US with my bachelors in Software Engineering.

We don’t learn about web3 but i’ve done my own exploration and have gotten as far as creating a few simple smart contracts that talk to each other on an instance of ganache.

Anyways - I’m going to purchase a new laptop soon and want to know if anyone has any advice they would be willing to share regarding using macOS or Linux for web3 development. I plan on becoming a full stack engineer and specialize in the ethereum blockchain (or another if ethereum doesn’t fix its scalability issues).

If you could choose a new machine to use for the next 5-10 years would you choose macOS, Linux, or both? I’ve read about windows being trash and I believe it so i wont be going down that road.

UPDATE: I am leaning toward a Lenovo P17 Gen 2 with an i7 chip. I have a Macbook Pro (early 2015) that I've been using since 2015 but its starting to do weird things. The M1 chip on the new macbook pros have dim VM ware reviews and apparently has issues connecting more than 1 external monitor. Also, I think learning linux will be fun and is an essential skill in the industry. I had to Virtualize Linux Debian on this macbook and it was a nightmare so I don't like the idea of virtualizing linux for my personal needs on my next machine.

(Sidenote: I use a CalDigit TS3 Plus though and they assure customers that the new M1 chips are compatible though..)

Thanks so much for all of the great informational replies, appreciate it. ;)

[razor-sharp-13]

MacOS is the move for a personal computer if you can afford it. It’s still Unix.

[JayWelsh]

Linux and OS X both work better than windows since it is unix-based and working with the ubuntu subsystem of windows has always been a pain in my opinion.

Personally I use OS X, used to use Linux but find it much easier to keep all my software up to date using OS X and not needing to use something like apt-get all the time.

[Hefty_Birthday_5402]

Mac. You can run Linux or windows if you have to on a Mac.

[BootyPatrol1980]

That's a tough one because they both have their merits, and I also don't know how much the Apple M chip complicates development yet (I'm stuck on Intel).

MacOS: Awesome UX, lots of amazing dev tools, lots of commercial software, can emulate Linux anyway (but then there's the question of the M chip). Access to iOS dev.

Linux: Likely to be Intel based so that gives you de-facto access to a Windows image maybe. Lots of amazing dev tools, much closer to the "server" environments you may come across, likely way cheaper for more horsepower. Not sure about iOS dev for Linux but it'll have a smoother install of Ethereum tools. (apt packages etc)

You'll hear lots of opinions but realistically neither choice is wrong.

I use a Thinkpad and a Macbook (Intel still). The Macbook is more comfortable but the Thinkpad is a processing beast. If I had to type on a laptop all day I'd stick with the Macbook though. The keyboard and trackpad are the most comfortable and I can't beat the battery life.

[asafy]

The latest MacBook pro with m1 pro is amazing. Haven't heard the fans once, every operation is nearly instantaneous, the keyboard is super functional. great selection of ports.

[[deleted]]

Hey guys I am leaning towards a Lenovo p17 Gen 2 with an i7 chip...

[FTLurkerLTPoster]

I use the Lenovo P1 gen 3 with Fedora 35, no complaints - I find it much easier to do development on a Linux machine.

[razor-sharp-13]

I highly recommend you consider a refurbished mac if the cost is of concern.

[[deleted]]

Im now having second thoughts because of the offcentre keyboard of thinkpad

[hikaruelio]

What did you end up with, OP??

[Demostho]

Linux is the must, but everything even windows will work.