As it's really looking like Apple will never go back to making upgradable computers again, I guess many of us will have to move away from the Mac.
The question is: Where do we go from here?
On one hand, I really don't want to go back to Windows, and especially Windows 10. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.
On the other hand, Linux is great because it allows you to have a hardware selection (not to mention pricing) that's closer to that Windows than Hackintoshes, it's Unix-based (great for Terminal users), it has some nice programs, and it can even be made to look remarkably like OS X. With Linux, you can get the power you want for things like media transcoding and gaming - though I realize Linux doesn't have nearly as many games as OS X. But there's a lot of mainstream software that you can't get on Linux. You also can't watch iTunes videos without stripping the DRM, which is not something you're going to want to put an old Mac through. There's also the potential legal issue - technically Hackintoshes are illegal, but Apple doesn't care, especially since it doesn't really make upgradable Macs anymore, so I guess they realize that they're not catering to everybody and Hackintoshes make it possible for people to keep using OS X, which I guess Apple sees as a plus as it could keep people using real Apple products like peripherals and iPhones, and it could even keep them buying some Macs, like maybe a Mac Mini to keep in the garage or a MacBook Air or two for their kids.
But then you have Hackintoshes. The advantage of Hackintoshes is that they allow you to have OS X and its vast selection of mainstream software, while also being more upgradable than a modern Mac. But they can be a pain to set up - especially on laptops - and I keep reading comments about Hackintoshes requiring a lot of maintenance - though I don't have a Hackintosh, so don't really know for sure whether or not Hackintoshes require a lot of maintenance.
I have no idea what I'll do when I need a new computer. I'll just have to hope my trusty 2011 13" MacBook Pro will last me long enough to decide what my next computer should be and which OS it should run.
The question is: Where do we go from here?
On one hand, I really don't want to go back to Windows, and especially Windows 10. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.
On the other hand, Linux is great because it allows you to have a hardware selection (not to mention pricing) that's closer to that Windows than Hackintoshes, it's Unix-based (great for Terminal users), it has some nice programs, and it can even be made to look remarkably like OS X. With Linux, you can get the power you want for things like media transcoding and gaming - though I realize Linux doesn't have nearly as many games as OS X. But there's a lot of mainstream software that you can't get on Linux. You also can't watch iTunes videos without stripping the DRM, which is not something you're going to want to put an old Mac through. There's also the potential legal issue - technically Hackintoshes are illegal, but Apple doesn't care, especially since it doesn't really make upgradable Macs anymore, so I guess they realize that they're not catering to everybody and Hackintoshes make it possible for people to keep using OS X, which I guess Apple sees as a plus as it could keep people using real Apple products like peripherals and iPhones, and it could even keep them buying some Macs, like maybe a Mac Mini to keep in the garage or a MacBook Air or two for their kids.
But then you have Hackintoshes. The advantage of Hackintoshes is that they allow you to have OS X and its vast selection of mainstream software, while also being more upgradable than a modern Mac. But they can be a pain to set up - especially on laptops - and I keep reading comments about Hackintoshes requiring a lot of maintenance - though I don't have a Hackintosh, so don't really know for sure whether or not Hackintoshes require a lot of maintenance.
I have no idea what I'll do when I need a new computer. I'll just have to hope my trusty 2011 13" MacBook Pro will last me long enough to decide what my next computer should be and which OS it should run.
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