Help me choose a secondary computer

[Kriegsspiel]

I was also thinking of getting a cheap chromebook as a “throw around” computer.

I don’t know off the top of my head how much programming stuff can be done on a chromebook though.

I've also thought about trying out Linux on my Chromebook, but there's so many goddamn versions of Linux it gets a bit overwh...

I had a “craptop” that I installed GalliumOS on. Gallium is meant to be installed on old Chromebooks and is kind of neat.

Anyway, if you get a Chromebook and end up hating it, maybe try GalliumOS.

[Smith1776]

Holy crap tom cruise looks so different there.

Still looks damn good for his age these days though.

I wonder how much he spends on getting work done on his appearance.

[Mountaineer]

I was also thinking of getting a cheap chromebook as a “throw around” computer.

I don’t know off the top of my head how much programming stuff can be done on a chromebook though.

I've also thought about trying out Linux on my Chromebook, but there's so many goddamn versions of Linux it gets a bit overwh...

I had a “craptop” that I installed GalliumOS on. Gallium is meant to be installed on old Chromebooks and is kind of neat.

Anyway, if you get a Chromebook and end up hating it, maybe try GalliumOS.

That is my favorite movie. Came out almost 34 years ago! Other favorites, Twelve O'Clock High, Shane. Sorry for the thread diversion.

[Mountaineer]

Currently running a MacBook Pro for dev work. School recommended a UNIX based system for programming courses. My previous experience with Linux was a little dicey, as the lack of commercial support was a big barrier. I imagine things have improved in the interim.

When this MacBook Pro kicks the bucket, I'm getting a PC and the Linux + Windows combo the go ahead. Apple's prices are insane.

Stick with a MacBook Pro. I have a mid-2009 MBP that I upped the memory to the max 8 GB and put in 1 TB SSD several years ago. Still works great. I also have a 2018 MBP that I bought in a weak moment since the 2009 OS could not go past El Capitan - which I subsequently decided is probably, practically speaking, a non-issue for another year or two. Stay with the MacBook Pro, then you won't need secondary, tertiary or replacement crapware running a "great when it works, horrible when it does not OS" every few years. YMMV

[dualstow]

Stay with the MacBook Pro, then you won't need secondary, tertiary or replacement crapware running a "great when it works, horrible when it does not OS" every few years. YMMV

I agree with that, although I’ve never really been smart enough or motivated enough to handle linux for long. I think it’s like having a British car. If you like to tinker, it may be worth it.

However, even Neal Stephenson, linux advocate and author of “in the beginning, there was the command line...” appended that text online with a brief note that his opinion had changed since Apple operating systems went Unix-based. Now he likes Apple computers.

[Smith1776]

Currently running a MacBook Pro for dev work. School recommended a UNIX based system for programming courses. My previous experience with Linux was a little dicey, as the lack of commercial support was a big barrier. I imagine things have improved in the interim.

When this MacBook Pro kicks the bucket, I'm getting a PC and the Linux + Windows combo the go ahead. Apple's prices are insane.

Stick with a MacBook Pro. I have a mid-2009 MBP that I upped the memory to the max 8 GB and put in 1 TB SSD several years ago. Still works great. I also have a 2018 MBP that I bought in a weak moment since the 2009 OS could not go past El Capitan - which I subsequently decided is probably, practically speaking, a non-issue for another year or two. Stay with the MacBook Pro, then you won't need secondary, tertiary or replacement crapware running a "great when it works, horrible when it does not OS" every few years. YMMV

The Mac lifespan and resale value is pretty damn good I must admit. My best friend bought one of the original MacBooks when they came out in 2006. He used that for a solid 11 years. He then got a 2015 MacBook Pro because the 2016 models had the keyboard issues.

I really enjoy a lot of the attention to detail that Apple puts into their machines. They've also got nice balance between power and portability.

As far as having a commercially supported UNIX-based operating system is concerned, I lament they're the only game in town. It's definitely reflected in their prices!

[Smith1776]

https://www.bestbuy.ca/en-ca/product/le ... aj-8h82Kv8

Guys.... it's just... SO.... CHEAP.

MUST RESIST.

(Cheap for CANADIAN dollars that is...)

[dualstow]

Wow, that really is cheap.
US$130

[shekels]

Just a FYI, If you use Firefox.
Firefox attacks: Homeland Security urges all users to update browsers immediately in rare warning

https://www.fastcompany.com/90450626/fi ... re-warning

[dualstow]

Just a FYI, If you use Firefox.
Firefox attacks: Homeland Security urges all users to update browsers immediately in rare warning

https://www.fastcompany.com/90450626/fi ... re-warning

Good to know.
Interesting that the link says Mac users but then, as you wrote, it's for all users.

I was hoping the update would stop it freezing, but no luck.
I found instructions, followed them, no joy.

[Kriegsspiel]

Article about Chromebooks from back in 2014.

"The key thing to notice is that products improve more rapidly than consumer needs expand. This means that while the incumbent product may have once been subpar, over time it becomes “too good” for most customers, offering features they don’t need yet charging for them anyways. Meanwhile, the new entrant has an inferior product, but at a much lower price, and as its product improves – again, more rapidly than consumer needs – it begins to peel away customers from the incumbent by virtue of its lower price. Eventually it becomes good enough for nearly all of the consumers, leaving the incumbent high and dry.

Like I said, Chromebooks fit this pattern perfectly"

Chromebooks are great if you want something that's simple as fuck and just runs the Chrome browser.

[dualstow]

Interesting. If I didn’t have an ipad mini (and a Brydge keyboard), a Chromebook would probably be my sofa computer. My nieces like them well enough.

ADDED: maybe I should try a Chromebox, the desktop version.
https://wiki.galliumos.org/Hardware_Compatibility