I’m Linux (Fedora) enthusiast, convince me to get MB Air 2 instead of a PC laptop!

[ZD_plguy17]

Currently using xps 9305 with Linux as daily driver but fed up with small trackpad and intermittent power on issue.

I jumped with excitement to order Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 15” which offers more storage, RAM and OLED touch screen until I learned it has issue with fragile screen.

I know MBA is only 13” but it’s 16:10 ratio.

Problem is M2 doesn’t support Linux unless it’s ARM version and it’s limited in support, but most likely in VM the ARM version would work just fine.

I have iPhone, ATV and old iPad Pro. I tried KDE connect with my pixel 6a on Arch it’s ok but not mind blowing.

 

[sgtaylor5]

One thing people often miss when they look at the expensiveness of Mac hardware is, that’s only one component. The other component is macOS itself. And as far as I’m concerned, macOS really is the reason why you buy a Mac; if you want to get more done in less time, then you might want to think about getting a Mac. It’s the integration between all of its parts that makes macOS more efficient and that’s all done in software. And the hardware for the most part is more reliable than windows based hardware because Apple makes many fewer devices. They know what they have in terms of hardware, and they can make special instructions to make the software work faster. Rosetta 2 comes to mind.
Otherwise I wouldn’t.

 

[hoo-man-b-ing]

I’m not sure anyone *should* convince you to get a Mac. It sounds like you already know that its Linux support is limited to virtualized instances and kinda/sorta Asahi Linux (https://asahilinux.org/2022/07/july-2022-release/)

You haven’t described your needs so it’s entirely possible that those existing limitations would be deal breakers for you.

 

[ZD_plguy17]

I’m not sure anyone *should* convince you to get a Mac. It sounds like you already know that its Linux support is limited to virtualized instances and kinda/sorta Asahi Linux (https://asahilinux.org/2022/07/july-2022-release/)

You haven’t described your needs so it’s entirely possible that those existing limitations would be deal breakers for you.

Well I do some Python and bash development which are possible on both Linux and Mac. Only thing I noticed is Bash script work little differently on Mac than Linux but 90% is identical. I have home server with Linux as well.

Reason for upgrade was me to get 15” lightweight which does not yet exist in mac world. Altough 13” ain’t too bad for me either since I use it often plugged to my docking station with 27” monitor.

I already use 16” MBP pro at work and I love it but cannot do everything with it as I please since it has corporate spyware installed on it and it’s managed with some functions disabled.
Might get second one but seems little redundant and it’s also heavy so most likely if I get mac, I’d get MBA.

 

[Technerd108]

So do you use Linux as your primary desktop? You like it and it serves all of your software needs?

If so then you should not get a Mac. Lenovo has a Yoga 7i 14” and 16” with similar specs to the Galaxy Book Pro 2 and they have one with a 12700h. If is not a light laptop but it is very nice and depending on sales can be had for $899 to $975 for the higher end model.

Since you use a 16” MBP at work then you already know the differences between OS and the integration of hardware with Macs and other devices. Macs are well optimized for the hardware unlike Windows and Linux unless you are an expert user writing your own kernel and using Gentoo or similar distribution.

There are a lot of things to like about Macs and the M2 MBA is very portable and well made with NO fans. This is a good thing because the laptop can be used anywhere without worrying about covering up vents or overheating. The battery life is really great. The keyboard is excellent and the screen is bright and color accurate. It has performance you could never expect from such a small device.

All OS have their strengths and weaknesses and none of them are perfect. You have to decide the trade offs you are willing to make. No one can convince you that you should not use Fedora but you. Linux has its advantages but it can also be a major headache in certain situations. But if you use it and it works well for you then you should keep using it.

 

[Shirasaki]

How about dedicated devices designed for Linux? Like those from Tuxedo?

TUXEDO Computers

Linux Hardware, Notebooks, Computer und mehr. Individuell in Deutschland gefertigt, vollständig Linux tauglich, Windows natürlich auch

www.tuxedocomputers.com

A handful other manufacturers also produce devices designed to run Linux out of the box with full support. Those devices are not cheap, but they should run Linux very well Compared to Windows PC.

 

[TechRunner]

How about dedicated devices designed for Linux? Like those from Tuxedo?

TUXEDO Computers

Linux Hardware, Notebooks, Computer und mehr. Individuell in Deutschland gefertigt, vollständig Linux tauglich, Windows natürlich auch

www.tuxedocomputers.com

A handful other manufacturers also produce devices designed to run Linux out of the box with full support. Those devices are not cheap, but they should run Linux very well Compared to Windows PC.

Beat me to it, though I was going to mention a System76 Gazelle as an option:

https://system76.com/laptops/gazelle

 

[ZD_plguy17]

Beat me to it, though I was going to mention a System76 Gazelle as an option:

https://system76.com/laptops/gazelle

I already have Dell xps 9305 with Arch Linux. Linux works quite well on it except for fingerprint reader which I don’t really care. I just wanted laptop with better trackpad and either taller screen 16:10 or bigger 15”.

Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro seemed like great product for price except fragile screen concerned me.

I decided to go with MacBook Air M2 with 16gb and 512gb ssd. I ordered refurbished. I only use one monitor and I am sure it’s going to serve me well. Only downside going refurbished is that I didn’t have option to upgrade the to fast charging unless I got 10 core gpu.

I do think I am going to keep 9305 though and just reimage it with Fedora 37.

 

[Technerd108]

I already have Dell xps 9305 with Arch Linux. Linux works quite well on it except for fingerprint reader which I don’t really care. I just wanted laptop with better trackpad and either taller screen 16:10 or bigger 15”.

Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro seemed like great product for price except fragile screen concerned me.

I decided to go with MacBook Air M2 with 16gb and 512gb ssd. I ordered refurbished. I only use one monitor and I am sure it’s going to serve me well. Only downside going refurbished is that I didn’t have option to upgrade the to fast charging unless I got 10 core gpu.

I do think I am going to keep 9305 though and just reimage it with Fedora 37.

How much did you end up paying?

I wouldn’t worry about the fast charger. The battery life is very good and even at a lower charge rate it isn’t slow to charge and the slower rate of charging might actually be better for the battery in the long term anyway.

 

[Technerd108]

Yeah the Galaxy Book 2 Pro is pretty nice but two things bothered me about it which were the bottom firing speakers and thin screen and not the best cooling solution.

But it is so light, the OLED screen is a thing of beauty. But you could totally feel the flex on the screen and it didn’t seem durable at all.

The M2 MBA is a very different laptop but it is really excellent. The lightness while still being sturdy, the battery life, the lack of fans, the nice bright screen.

I hope you enjoy it!

 

[ZD_plguy17]

How much did you end up paying?

I wouldn’t worry about the fast charger. The battery life is very good and even at a lower charge rate it isn’t slow to charge and the slower rate of charging might actually be better for the battery in the long term anyway.

For Dell (refurbished) the base cost me around $630 and purchased own 512Gb NVME for $60 back in March. It came with last gen 11th Intel i5 processor.

For the new MacBook Air 1440 + sales tax. Overall a little more than gift card Apple would give me for new but don’t need give more $$$ to apple or sell gift card. Tbh, if apple offered refreshed m2 mini Id probably get this one instead and m1 is almost 3 years old but I have already HP docking station and clamshell stand that already works pretty well for me with both PC and Mac.

 

[MisterSavage]

One of the big selling points for me from when I switched from a PC was that I could use the Linux commands I was familiar with from the terminal on the base OS. Within the last year I switched my shell from Bash to Zsh and I love it. I also love how the OS ties so closely to all my Apple devices.

 

[Mrbobb]

Reason for upgrade was me to get 15” lightweight which does not yet exist in mac world

If you don't care about battery endurance, am wondering if one can take 1/2 of the batteries out and lighten the machine that way.