Should I Switch to OSX?
Should I Switch to OSX?
I've never liked Macs before. I view them as costly for the hardware and restrictive in system control. Mostly I stick with Windows, using a server with multiple Linux setups and a laptop that boots into Kali Linux. Recently, I've been considering moving to Mac. I write a lot of code and prefer Bash over Command Prompt. With the server now in place, I could handle more intensive tasks remotely if a GPU is available. I initially thought about switching entirely to Linux, but music production is important to me and Ableton doesn't work on it. I also need to decide whether to change my desktop environment. Another issue is figuring out what setup fits best. Should I switch to Mac? What model would be best? And for the server—do you recommend a GPU? Any thoughts on the transition? Thanks for your help!
Absolutely, I agree that MacOS/Linux shines when it comes to programming and coding. I personally use a MacBook for my coding tasks and also run Linux. I’d suggest setting up a dual boot with a Hackintosh or Linux. You can also try Bootcamp on an actual Mac. The top GPU supported in MacOS is the Radeon 7, though it’s not ideal. Navi doesn’t work well on MacOS, leaving Vega 64/56 as an option. Polaris functions, but Fury does not. 290x/390x are viable, while 290/390 don’t quite fit. If you can find a Vega 56 around $250 used, that would be great. For a Linux server, I’d recommend using a NVIDIA GPU like the 2060 Super, especially since CUDA is essential and TensorFlow needs openCL support.
You're focused on optimizing your setup for portable gaming and performance. If you want to stay away from a Hackintosh, you might consider using your existing laptop with a 1050 or upgrading its enclosure for a desktop with a 1080. You seem open to dual booting Kali or Parrot for penetration testing. For servers, the 2060 is a solid choice over specialized hardware. If you're using Proxmox, it's not necessarily a problem, but a dedicated GPU VM could help avoid bottlenecks given your 20-core, 40-thread server with ample RAM. Regarding Mac recommendations, let me know which one you're considering!
For MacOS you should change your setup if possible. If not, stick with it. I can't decide for you. For dual booting, I suggest using two separate drives; a budget 120GB SSD works well. Yes. The 2060 is great for Anaconda and TensorFlow—it supports CUDA, so it can run TensorFlow on the GPU. The 8GB of VRAM is a big improvement over older models. https://www.servethehome.com/nvidia-gefo...-review/6/ I personally use Hyper-V as a supervisor and like it, though I’m not sure about Proxmox yet—I haven’t tried it. For a Mac right now, the 27-inch iMac with 256GB SSD (built-in i5, built-in GPU, built-in RAM) is pricey at around $2000, but the 21.5-inch models seem less useful since they’re basically just Mac Mini screens. If you want something more affordable, keep an eye on Apple’s upcoming MBP 13" release; if it comes soon, grab one. Otherwise, a 2015 MBP like this one (https://www.ebay.com/itm/MacBook-Pro-15-...3387807982) looks like a solid option, though I’m not sure about the seller. Macs usually have a long lifespan; my 2012 model is still functional.
I'm planning to use a Mac as my main laptop for everyday tasks like programming and music production. I want to run Kali Linux or another Linux distro alongside Windows. There might be options to add another storage drive. I also have an NVMe enclosure with a 256GB Samsung SSD that’s in good shape, which could work if needed. I’m considering the 2060 model and might even enable Windows inside that enclosure, allowing me to boot both Linux and macOS simultaneously—essentially triple booting. The main challenge is the lack of gaming support on the Mac side.
Yes, you could use a TB3 or USB 3.1 for an external SSD. Nvidia GPUs don’t come with Mac OS drivers, so you’d need an AMD GPU. You can run games on macOS using Boot Camp and Windows 10. Many games are compatible with macOS, especially compared to Linux.
Yes, you can utilize a Windows installation from a different drive along with an external enclosure for your 1080.
Yes, though occasionally TB3 can divide the bandwidth, using two TB3 devices could result in each having access to two PCIe 3.0 lanes.
I recommend giving it a try. If it doesn't suit you after some time, Apple products tend to maintain their worth well. When evaluating a new daily driver, it's generally a secure choice. Performance-wise, eGPUs, external drives with Windows support, and software development usually function smoothly—except for WinForms, WPF, and older .NET versions, which are more limited to Windows + Visual Studio. However, since most projects focus on web, mobile, and cross-platform tools (like Python or Java), you're unlikely to encounter major issues unless it's your primary field.
My setup includes USB3-SATA and USB3-PCIe adapters paired with SSDs for other operating systems, plus extra boot loaders to keep things tidy. I use a multiport hub—one at home, one in my bag, and another at the office where I work most often.
When changing boot options, just hold Alt (or the option Apple provides) during startup to select your preferred method. I usually stick with USB3 and Carbon X1 for smooth operation.
A few tips: Linux can struggle with DPI changes on my X1; macOS handles it well but may re-read EDID if the monitor is slow; Windows switches but sometimes doesn't return or reboots; USB devices work reliably across all OSes. Audio behavior varies too—Windows may switch to HDMI, which isn’t ideal, while Linux can detect speakers but keeps using internal ones until changed.
Most engineering teams run about 80% Apple hardware with macOS and 20% other systems (including Linux or BSD). People often get mixed up because developers expect high customization, but in practice, consistency and ease of use usually win. This is essentially the best compromise you can make, even if it's not perfect.
If you're curious about more details on setup, changes, or common configurations, feel free to ask—I've been doing this for nearly twenty years and know there are others with similar experiences.