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Muhammad
Muhammad

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Windows Vs Linux Vs Mac for Dev

Life began with the first computer on Windows 98. Things were rigid but impressive. Time took its toll and heard about linux, what do we do with terminals and command prompt, how do we do it, it must be soo hard, and then came someone shouting,

Look at that, thats an expensive MAC
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Now once, i took the first steps of development or the path of becoming a developer, windows was at play. Things came up, things came down and I started coping with it. The age of viruses came, USBs sprung up, windows corrupted, all that Mambo Jambo was heavy but i survived.

As of Now!

Windows

I have been using windows as a Gaming System, Playing Fortnite, Neir Automate, Final Fantasy XV. I connected to Playstation 3 Controllers via USB and Tekken 7, Mortal Kombat 11 is Fun. Now when it comes to writing code... Arrrh! its just too pointy, too rigid, getting the Environment Paths is kinda Pain.

MacOS

Now when I develop, I use my Macbook, why because, i feel setting up the environment and libraries for MacOS, is smooth. Kinda like tick tick tock and its done. The interface, I enjoy the animations and the way the desktop with the dockbar. Its simply productive.

Linux

Now once again, reminds me a little about Mac and its workspace, setting up the environment, all good. Now i`d say its an affordable Mac for starters.

So these are my findings, what do you think about yours?

Top comments (22)

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vicoerv profile image
Vico

Windows > Good GUI program
Linux > Good cli program
Mac > BOTH!

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

Yup mac the best of both. I wonder

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djemos profile image
Dimitris Tzemos

I never used a mac. It is expensive. So i cannot tell. But i have heard only good things about it.
windows -> No. I have drop it since 2000 for Linux and never go back again.
Linux -> YES

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

You should give hackintosh a try, i am using a hackintosh as my desktop setup, in summary its just more power with way less money spent on it.

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djemos profile image
Dimitris Tzemos

I wish too. But i cannot afford it.

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

I used a 3rd Gen i7 Processor, which is really cheap on the market, with basic asus motherboard and RAM, that can easily be converted to a hackintosh. Although, there are many tutorials, but i am thinking of putting up a guide on my build for a Hackintosh.

I`d say


Dont wish for things for the day you start wishing, they fade away. Think as if you already own them and the mysterious universe has a way of making them run to you.

PS: LIFE EXPERIENCE SOO FAR.

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ssimontis profile image
Scott Simontis

I love OS X but I can't justify HW prices. My desktop has a Ryzen Threadripper CPU, 64 GB RAM, 2x8GB disks in a RAID array, 2x512GB NVMe drives, and a 240GB SSD. $1600 or so. Something comparable on OS X would probably be 2-3 times that price range. I use Windows for desktop computing (my 2013 MacBook is going to stay on my desk until it dies however) and Linux for servers.

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

You should give hackintosh a try, its worth it.

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ssimontis profile image
Scott Simontis

I've thought about it, but the feedback I received was that it's not reliable enough to trust for daily operation. A few years ago I would have been all over it, but nowadays, I already have enough systems to keep stable.

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putopavel profile image
Pavel Razgovorov • Edited

I've seen here some comments recommending Hackintosh, and as I have one, here are my two cents.

My desktop computer has a triple boot with Mac OS High Sierra, Linux Mint and Windows 10. I use Mac for work/studies, Windows for gaming and Linux is there in case I need something specific from it. So the thing is: why don't have them all?

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

Exactly, i am also using high sierra with pop os.

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natonathan profile image
Nathan Tamez

I say use what ever your happy using, I find I need to use windows, macOS and Linux in my workflow. At work it’s mainly windows development work, although I prefer MacOS for day to day, and windows for gaming when I have time.

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

Yeah i can see. Its more preference to macs and linux

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Sloan, the sloth mascot
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slavius profile image
Slavius

Unfortunately, with WSL2 the Linux kernel on Windows 10 runs virtualized using light version of Hyper-V including networking which uses Virtual Hyper-V Network adapter. It makes it faster but less convenient. I used to do a lot of ssh and port forwarding but now the WSL distro does not see the Windows host anymore due to network separation...

I switched (back) to Cygwin...

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absinthetized profile image
Matteo Nunziati • Edited

Mac is the only way to develop for each platform you mention (and ios and android). Still virtualize win is a PITA.

If you do not need any Apple related dev tool, I would go windows. I prefer linux but as I said virtualize win is a performance PITA, while linux is way more easy to manage in any env.

And also there is plenty of free cloud plans for linux vms.

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alvesvalentin profile image
Alvès Valentin

my top 3:
1/ MacOS (if you can afford it)
2/ Linux (whatever flavor you like my personal favorite is Ubuntu mate with the Parrot OS theme)
3/something else than Windows lol, seriously in my opinion developing on Windows is a pain in the ass

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viswanadh profile image
Viswanadha Raju Kakani • Edited

I wonder how people like Mac. I recently transitioned from Windows to a Mac machine.

What would Mac fans say about the following issues Mac OS has?

  1. Hangs a lot & lot of heat emission like an induction stove after OSX updates - 2021.
  2. Not even basic shortcuts are present. How would you navigate b/w multiple windows of same application? There is NO way possible, you'd have to install some custom app such as "AltTab"
  3. Shortcuts are absolute shit. There isn't even a shortcut to open Finder, how ridiculuous! In windows, it's simple, Windows + E.
  4. Closing an active window doesn't make the "previously active window" active. I'd have to click on it to make it active.
  5. No easy way to configure default apps by extensions. How do I say open all .txt, .csv, .json files by VS Code? Forget about it!
  6. Say there's a folder of images. How do you open an image & navigate to other images with arrow keys without installing a third-party app?
  7. Some of the Mac's available shortcuts are difficult/impossible to press even for a person who's perfect at typing.
  8. Is there a good app that allows me see the contents of a zip file without extracting it? No!
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eddyekofo94 profile image
Eddy Ekofo

I was an anti Mac before ever using one. After spending so much and buying one, nothing was ever the same. I am a Mac through and through.

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

Its true that which you hate most is one you are mostly bound to love most. Kinda like a rule for reciprocity

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xaverine profile image
xaverine

Depends on your stack

Windows/Linux minor => Windows with WSL

Mobile/Web => Mac

  • Android only => Windows

Other => Mac or Linux

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th3n00bc0d3r profile image
Muhammad

I am recently working with ESP32 a microcontroller and after setting the env up in all three, I think MAC is the way to go forward with a distraction free programming and work. You gotta say, they really did a good job. I had my doubts but after setting this one up, I feel doubt free.