Ask HN: Any MacBook Alternative?

4•max_•1d ago

Apple computers are now spyware.

I would like to switch to Linux.

The problem with Linux is that there is really no good computer.

Is there a great linux laptop with stuff like good driver support, liquid cooling, good battery at least comparable to that of the Macbook Air?

I was thinking of the Razerblade but it has very poor linux support. But the hardware is well built. (The battery is not as good as MacOS)

I heard good things about Framework.

What laptop do you recommend for Linux users? (good hardware and reliable driver support)

Comments

bigyabai•1d ago

> Apple computers are now spyware.

Now? After 15 years of PRISM compliance, XKeyscore, iCloud and Push Notification backdoors... now they're spyware?

You should stick with your spyware machine, you're not ready to graduate yet.

sgt•1d ago

Spyware? That's just rumors and also without evidence. macOS is a true Unix and it has an amazing UI. The hardware is astounding. Nobody else is able to make such hardware at this scale, e.g macbooks with Apple Silicon chips.

You could try Framework - I have heard some good things, but it's likely going to be 10 years behind in any case, if not more.

p_ing•1d ago

macOS Apple manipulates for certification bodies is UNIX. macOS that you and I run is not.

https://www.osnews.com/story/141633/apples-macos-unix-certif...

Carbon X1 is probably one of the closer laptops to MacBooks.

bigyabai•1d ago

> That's just rumors and also without evidence.

Apple services are government spyware. Apple admit to as much after Senator Ron Wyden accused them of collecting Push Notification information on users without a warrant. There is no indication that Apple has changed their architecture to protect users from this unlawful surveillance today: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/12/apple-admits-to-...

It shouldn't surprise anyone who paid attention, though. The burden of proof was always on Apple's lap, and they folded like a wet towel when Beijing demanded state-owned iCloud datacenters to facilitate spying on domestic users. If you actually thought Apple would treat Americans any better, then boy you sure drank the marketing Kool-aid.

fsflover•1d ago

Spyware? That's just rumors and also without evidence.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44055533

ndegruchy•1d ago

> Apple computers are now spyware

What? By what definition? Is there evidence of this?

I mean, you can get yourself any old laptop and run Linux on it, but it won't compare with a system that is run by the company building the hardware.

fsflover•1d ago

Purism build the hardware and offer preinstalled Linux.

pestatije•1d ago

> Apple computers are now spyware.

you mean now you realize it...worry not, all ur info and activities they know by now already

fsflover•1d ago

Have a look at Purism and System76. They offer laptops with preinstalled GNU/Linux. I'm a happy user of Purism Librem 14.

johndoe0815•1d ago

If you are concerned about spyware, don't think about buying an x86-based machine that uses Intel ME (management engine) technology – so, any system produced in the last ~15 years:

https://www.zdnet.com/article/minix-intels-hidden-in-chip-op...

If you are interested in open hardware and software, you might want to check out the ARM-based MNT Reform laptops:

https://mntre.com

fsflover•20h ago

> ARM-based MNT Reform laptops

There's also Pinebook from Pine64.

xcircle•13h ago

My go to Linux Laptops are refurbished thinkpads.

gaws•11h ago

Which models specifcially?

The Israel Embassy Shooter Manifesto

Five – A minimalist, to-do list and calendar

Unexplained electronics found in imported equipment for Denmark's supply network

Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre has died

Show HN: Cardog – AI car companion for transparent ownership

Show HN: KelpsGet – Modern download manager built in Rust

Some US banks explore venturing into crypto with joint stablecoin, WSJ reports

CRDTs #2: Turtles All the Way Down

Silly job interview questions in Haskell

STS-61

Show HN: I made a zero-setup back end API to launch apps without coding back end

Mistral Document AI

Banana Pi BPI-Forge1 Is a Low-Cost RK3506J-Based SBC Compatible with RT-Thread

Our Problem with Backlogs

Tariff Exemptions Are Terrible News for Electronics Repairability

Ask HN: How do you feel about using AI tools on your phone? Privacy vs. Utility

Good Performance for Bad Days

Kling 2.0: ready to turn your ideas into motion

Bodybuilding star Nikita Tkachuk dead at 35

US Treasury to stop producing pennies next year

Show HN: I created a tool intro.new – Make your intro page in seconds

A wave of new owners brings fresh energy to independent bookselling

Drop your discounts for founders or users

A.I. Is Poised to Revolutionize Weather Forecasting. A New Tool Shows Promise

New method for creating large 3D models of urban areas is faster and cheaper

Should I teach my kids to use AI?

New DSL "MassQL" lets scientists query mass spectrometry data

DuckDB 1.3.0

Building Twice: A clone of Once

Big Banks Explore Venturing into Crypto World Together with Joint Stablecoin

Ask HN: Any MacBook Alternative?

Comments

The Israel Embassy Shooter Manifesto

Five – A minimalist, to-do list and calendar

Unexplained electronics found in imported equipment for Denmark's supply network

Philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre has died

Show HN: Cardog – AI car companion for transparent ownership

Show HN: KelpsGet – Modern download manager built in Rust

Some US banks explore venturing into crypto with joint stablecoin, WSJ reports

CRDTs #2: Turtles All the Way Down

Silly job interview questions in Haskell

STS-61

Show HN: I made a zero-setup back end API to launch apps without coding back end

Mistral Document AI

Banana Pi BPI-Forge1 Is a Low-Cost RK3506J-Based SBC Compatible with RT-Thread

Our Problem with Backlogs

Tariff Exemptions Are Terrible News for Electronics Repairability

Ask HN: How do you feel about using AI tools on your phone? Privacy vs. Utility

Good Performance for Bad Days

Kling 2.0: ready to turn your ideas into motion

Bodybuilding star Nikita Tkachuk dead at 35

US Treasury to stop producing pennies next year

Show HN: I created a tool intro.new – Make your intro page in seconds

A wave of new owners brings fresh energy to independent bookselling

Drop your discounts for founders or users

A.I. Is Poised to Revolutionize Weather Forecasting. A New Tool Shows Promise

New method for creating large 3D models of urban areas is faster and cheaper

Should I teach my kids to use AI?

New DSL "MassQL" lets scientists query mass spectrometry data

DuckDB 1.3.0

Building Twice: A clone of Once

Big Banks Explore Venturing into Crypto World Together with Joint Stablecoin