Ask HN: Any MacBook Alternative?

4 points | by max_ a day ago ago

14 comments

  • johndoe0815 a day ago ago

    If you are concerned about spyware, don't think about buying an x86-based machine that uses Intel ME (management engine) technology – so, any system produced in the last ~15 years:

    https://www.zdnet.com/article/minix-intels-hidden-in-chip-op...

    If you are interested in open hardware and software, you might want to check out the ARM-based MNT Reform laptops:

    https://mntre.com

    • fsflover 21 hours ago ago

      > ARM-based MNT Reform laptops

      There's also Pinebook from Pine64.

  • sgt a day ago ago

    Spyware? That's just rumors and also without evidence. macOS is a true Unix and it has an amazing UI. The hardware is astounding. Nobody else is able to make such hardware at this scale, e.g macbooks with Apple Silicon chips.

    You could try Framework - I have heard some good things, but it's likely going to be 10 years behind in any case, if not more.

    • p_ing a day ago ago

      macOS Apple manipulates for certification bodies is UNIX. macOS that you and I run is not.

      https://www.osnews.com/story/141633/apples-macos-unix-certif...

      Carbon X1 is probably one of the closer laptops to MacBooks.

    • fsflover a day ago ago

      Spyware? That's just rumors and also without evidence.

      https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44055533

    • bigyabai a day ago ago

      > That's just rumors and also without evidence.

      Apple services are government spyware. Apple admit to as much after Senator Ron Wyden accused them of collecting Push Notification information on users without a warrant. There is no indication that Apple has changed their architecture to protect users from this unlawful surveillance today: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/12/apple-admits-to-...

      It shouldn't surprise anyone who paid attention, though. The burden of proof was always on Apple's lap, and they folded like a wet towel when Beijing demanded state-owned iCloud datacenters to facilitate spying on domestic users. If you actually thought Apple would treat Americans any better, then boy you sure drank the marketing Kool-aid.

  • xcircle 14 hours ago ago

    My go to Linux Laptops are refurbished thinkpads.

    • gaws 12 hours ago ago

      Which models specifcially?

  • ndegruchy a day ago ago

    > Apple computers are now spyware

    What? By what definition? Is there evidence of this?

    I mean, you can get yourself any old laptop and run Linux on it, but it won't compare with a system that is run by the company building the hardware.

    • fsflover a day ago ago

      Purism build the hardware and offer preinstalled Linux.

  • fsflover a day ago ago

    Have a look at Purism and System76. They offer laptops with preinstalled GNU/Linux. I'm a happy user of Purism Librem 14.

  • bigyabai a day ago ago

    > Apple computers are now spyware.

    Now? After 15 years of PRISM compliance, XKeyscore, iCloud and Push Notification backdoors... now they're spyware?

    You should stick with your spyware machine, you're not ready to graduate yet.

  • pestatije a day ago ago

    > Apple computers are now spyware.

    you mean now you realize it...worry not, all ur info and activities they know by now already

  • fatata123 17 hours ago ago

    [dead]