Response to "You Don't Need a Mac Laptop"

Chromebook by Dell

On June 26, 2018, Dave Gershgorn wrote an excellent post for Quartz entitled "You Don't Need a Mac Laptop" which inspired me to add some comments of my own.

Dave related his story of transitioning out of the Apple software ecosystem to the world of web-powered applications and I have to admit, I have often felt the same.  I'm not an Apple user, far from it, but I have been using Microsoft products for decades and have noticed the same trend.  As more platforms move to cloud-powered web applications, the need to individually license and maintain software locally on your computer starts to evaporate.  Google has been very instrumental in this movement, but they aren't the only ones.  Everyone uses a computer a little differently, but I can absolutely see the case for a Chromebook if you don't need the complexity of a traditional Windows or Mac operating system or the expense of a high-powered laptop.

The options are plentiful if you are looking to go all-in and get a Chromebook.  Options range from $250 entry level models, to $1000 high-end aluminum and glass flagships certain to give any Macbook Pro or Windows Ultrabook a run for their money in terms of build quality alone.  There is another option, however, that not too many people seem to consider, and that is the Linux laptop.

If your goal is to save money and still have a nice-looking laptop, then you should be thinking of Linux for a number of reasons.  First of all, it's free.  Not just the operating system, but all the applications are part of a free and open-source product model, powered by a thriving community of volunteers and participating organizations all over the world.  This means the software pool is always growing and improving, and anyone can participate in making it better.  It is always secure and won't spy on you or mine your data without your knowledge, as everything you install is fully vetted by a diverse community that makes sure of this.

Learn more about the Solus Project

Secondly, Linux is better than it ever has been and is finally available with some beautiful and stable options geared towards enthusiasts that don't want anything other than a trouble-free and great-looking experience.  You can try Solus, a new and beautiful Linux release focused on a clean and simple user experience called "Budgie" combined with a familiar curated software center loaded with high quality apps. Another great new option is Peppermint OS, perfect for lower powered systems with their "less is more" ethos and forward thinking ecosystem for web-based apps.

Check out Peppermint OS

I would also recommend any version of Ubuntu you find interesting, as it is the most widely adopted version of Linux available, making it very stable and fast on more hardware than most of the competition.  Classic Ubuntu was the first version of Linux I tried and actually used as a daily driver and not just a tech tool or diagnostic.  Lubuntu is excellent for lower powered systems and Xubuntu is great for people that prefer simplicity of design to bells and whistles.  Kubuntu is also better than ever for a professional desktop that offers full support for font scaling and dark theme support.  It might be important to note that there are plenty of other options as well, including a spin of Ubuntu with the Budgie desktop. You can also modify Solus to use the same version of KDE that Kubuntu features, or other popular desktop environments as well.  The best way to get started is to try them for yourself and do some research on your own.

Check out Ubuntu running the Budgie Desktop

Finally, unlike Windows and Mac, Linux can run on a fraction of the processing power and memory needed by these heavy-duty operating systems.  This means it can run on a Chromebook, a netbook, an old laptop, or a modern laptop with ease and with a much less expensive configuration than you might think.  This means you can prioritize different things when looking for your laptop hardware.  You can get a small SSD and have an awesome experience with only 4GB of RAM.  You can use a single or dual core low voltage processor and get something with amazing battery life that lasts all day.  You can make sure your screen is color-accurate and the body is built from high quality materials. Even if you go all out with high end processor and graphics hardware, know that the OS will stay out of the way giving priority to your apps.

Dell XPS bundled with Classic Ubuntu

To find the right laptop, look for deals at the regular places. Ebay of course is always a possibility, but the quality might be questionable and the value might not be the best if you don't know exactly what you are looking at.  Check out the Dell Outlet for a great selection of deals and you can get some great options for less than $500.  I should also point out that System76 builds and supports custom Linux laptops, and even though I have never purchased from them, their reputation is phenomenal for building a great system and giving personal support after the sale.

Let me know if this article inspired you to try a Linux laptop and if you did, what was your experience like? Let me know in the comments and we'll keep the conversation going.