Perfection isn't achievable... Could alternative approaches work better?
Perfection isn't achievable... Could alternative approaches work better?
So basically, I’m not too keen on making things long. I mostly code full stack web apps using Nodejs, Go, Nim, React, Vue, etc., and I usually run everything behind an Nginx server on Ubuntu. But I’m having trouble with how my workflow fits the OS. I’ve switched between Linux and Windows quite a bit, and I’m stuck. On Linux, I can use WSL2 but it’s not perfect—protocol ports need manual setup each time, and after rebooting it’s rough. With MacOS, everything runs smoothly with native shell, but the system feels really slow, animations lag, and window management is messy even with Magnetics or Betternap. My Mac Mini and i7 8700K both act sluggish on Linux, while Windows 11 works fine for me. I really want to stick with MacOS because it’s what I prefer, but it’s frustrating since Windows feels more reliable. I’m also curious—what OS do you use and why? And have you found a better setup? I even set up a GPU passthrough VM on Ubuntu with Looking Glass, but it doesn’t quite deliver the smooth experience I need.
The performance issues you're experiencing don't seem to match your setup. You're running a Hackintosh with a Ryzen 5 3600 and a GTX 690, using Crucial MX500 storage, and identifying as MacPro7.1. It's actually quite fast compared to what you described. Regarding macOS versions, you mentioned using macOS 11.3.1 occasionally and needing older releases like Catalina or Big Sur for specific tasks—this seems inconsistent with your current version. Your system runs on an SSD, which should help speed things up.
My i7 8700k functions as a hackintosh (thought that term might be off-limits so I kept it under the radar). It's running Monterrey 12.0.1 on a Samsung 970 Pro NVMe with the M1 chip, and everything works fine except for the laggy window resizing. Even native Safari struggles with resizing. Windows 10/11 handles window resizing much better than MacOS. I guess it’s just a minor annoyance, maybe I’ll tolerate it.
Laggy and unstable window resizing isn't typical for M1 Macs. Various sites may manage the shift from mobile to desktop smoothly, yet Safari should handle it without issues. Even on Intel Macs, I've never faced problems with basic window adjustments or UI controls. Does this issue affect only Safari or other applications as well?
The answer lies in setting up a secondary machine designed specifically for running your Ubuntu instance. You can transfer all your files and connect to the system via OpenSSH. Arch Linux and other Native Linux tools are supported. I avoid any Adobe or Affinity products. For visual tasks I use Inkscape and Krita, while for coding I mainly rely on KDevelop and Kate. I’ve also used Jetbrains tools before and switch back to them when needed on Windows. Most of my deployments and tests work across platforms through a local GitLab Community Edition instance, with CI scripts to build and deploy. For web development, I prefer OpenSSH. My Dolphin File Manager has an SFTP directory mounted, and I run everything from the Terminal using OpenSSH. This configuration is chosen because I prefer Linux, KDE, Windows, and MacOS are less familiar to me.
GNU clearly avoids Unix in its branding, and many Linux utilities function differently from their Unix counterparts. On my servers: OpenBSD has completely taken over my FreeBSD setups. The environment feels unified, offering strong reliability and solid security—ideal for hosting services. It also includes several server-specific tools by default, such as an SMTP service and a functional HTTP/load balancer. OmniOS runs native Unix, originating from the discontinued OpenSolaris project. Though less refined than OpenBSD, it remains dependable (Solaris is trusted in business settings) and was built specifically for servers, unlike desktop releases like Tribblix or OpenIndiana. I use it casually, replacing an older server setup, and focus on file and calendar hosting ("cloud"). On my laptops: Windows 11 works perfectly; I began using it back in 1996 and have no issues. No need to change. macOS: A MacBook suits remote work well, matching my needs. It’s also useful for testing cross-platform applications on a BSD-like platform. I own a NetBSD laptop (currently non-functional) and a 9front Raspberry Pi (intended as a NAS for backups, but now I have a dedicated NAS). Still figuring out what to do with those devices.
I think it might be helpful to run Adobe tools inside a virtual machine. While there’s no single OS everyone agrees on, Linux-based systems seem to suit your needs better. Still, I understand some vendors have been in the PC software market for a long time without offering native Linux options—maybe due to skepticism or lack of motivation. I don’t want to recommend trying new software that won’t work on Linux, especially if you’ve already explored alternatives. Unless you’re open to using Windows with WSL, it could be simpler and more reliable for your workflow.
I'm comfortable with Linux since I've been using open source tools on Windows before. That was a smart move for my budget. I didn't have the funds to purchase costly programs, and I wasn't ready to invest when all I wanted was to use my tablet for drawing. I tried Adobe Photoshop initially, but it felt too heavy. So I switched to Gimp. For digital artwork, I rely on Krita (and occasionally Gimp) for certain effects. It's all I needed. Office suites like WPS Office, OnlyOffice, or Softmaker Free Office also work well on Linux, making MS Office seem less essential. My GPU performance is smooth in Windows, mainly for a few games and training programs. I only use it for a couple of games and trainers. For my other needs, I stick to Linux. That's why it works best for me overall.
For specific tasks in Windows, GPU pass-through performs well. I use it mainly for a few games and trainers. Otherwise, I prefer playing on Linux. This is mainly because I've never been dependent on Adobe or other critical apps that don't run natively. For me, Linux has been the main choice for daily use, especially for setting up a Pihole/VPN server and a media server.
Regarding GPU pass-through, it doesn’t feel like a daily necessity for me. I’ve tried adjusting resources and still haven’t found a strong experience. Are you looking to run Windows on Linux? Why do you prefer Linux over Adobe/Affinity products? Are you accustomed to them, or is your workplace policy that requires them?
About Mac OS, consider whether you truly need it. From what I observed, it’s probably not essential. Another thought is to stop using Apple devices altogether. That could remove the need to revisit anything related to Apple. This would narrow your options to just Windows and Linux. After that, you’ll have to decide what comes next—switching away from Adobe/Affinity for a Linux alternative, or sticking with Windows. Another possibility is finding a way to make GPU pass-through work seamlessly so you can switch between Linux and Windows without hassle.
Consider using a Windows virtual machine running Ubuntu or set up a dual boot configuration.