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Linux + ARM laptop: good enough for programming? Or should I get a MacBook? (self.linuxhardware)

submitted 1 month ago by rolling_resistance to c/[email protected]

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I'm a software developer with a platform-independent stack (java / postgre / mysql / intellij / docker), I use a Linux distro. I have a workstation, but would like to be able to work away from home. Good battery life, small size, staying cool under load are the priorities; I don't need a lot of power. So I thought maybe I should try ARM?

My first idea was to get a [refurbished] MacBook Air and learn how to use MacOS, although I'd love to support something... less proprietary and more open. I've never used an ARM Linux distro or ARM laptops, and I'm not sure how good they are for my application.

What is your experience?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Refurbished ARM-based MacBook Air will be suitable as long as you get 16 or 32 GB configuration. Anything under 16 is unusable with docker, a browser, an IDE, and LSP running at the same time.

ARM-based Macs can run Linux thanks to Asahi Linux.

But I love and use Mac OS. It’s really good for development work.