Macs and Programers

[criso8]

Mac vs. Pc. If I posted this under general I would be immediately shot down and ridiculed. However I have noticed that a lot of programers actually use mac. I would that in my non-computer science classes the ratio of mac to pc is around 2.5:1. However in my cis classes there are more pcs but still the majority are mac users.

So why do you guys think that programmers continue to buy macs and what OS do you program on?

[Ashley]

Macs can run windows, but non-macs can't legitimately run mac OS (for example mobile app development WON'T work in hackintosh). You still have languages like java and natively in OSX to program with.

[MdX MaxX]

I assume many programmers feel comfortable on OS X because it's UNIX-like and is therefore somewhat similar to Linux in the terminal environment. I've only played around with OS X very briefly, though, so this is just my guess.

I personally just dual-boot Windows and Linux Mint on my laptop and run a Linux Mint VM on my desktop. Best of both worlds!

[VolkovBrad67]

So why do you guys think that programmers continue to buy macs and what OS do you program on?

Because they are making iOS softwares.

I use Windows 7.

[criso8]

So why do you guys think that programmers continue to buy macs and what OS do you program on?

Because they are making iOS softwares.

I use Windows 7.

yeah that is a very valid point and I'm sure it's the reason for many but not everyone is making iOS and I'd still like to see more variety

[RLemon]

As far as I can tell it's the only legit way to make software for Apple devices. As far as laptops go I quite like Apple's Macbook's, and like Ashley said, Macs will run Windows as a native OS along side OSX, where as running OSX on a PC needs to be done through a VM or hackintoshed (which can be a bitch sometimes).

[VolkovBrad67]

@criso8 You should ask your classmates the question, I am genuinely interested. Back when I was in school, none of my classmates had macs. Then at work none of my co-workers had macs either until 2 years ago when one of them bought a Mac mini to code iOS games. At my new job, as far as I can tell none of them have macs at home, 3 of them have macbooks, 1 of them just got one because he needs to program an iOS software, the other two I am not sure why, but the other 10 developers have PCs. So unless you are only making iOS apps or Web programming, I'm not sure why a coder would prefer to use a mac, because in the industry, at least from my 8 years of experience as a professional programmer, all of the softwares I had to code had to work on Windows. I'm only addressing the "professional" side of the question, obviously if we were talking about the average Joe (not programmer) that'd be a completely different story.

[NeoZeon]

Because Mac is Unix based and is supported.

[NeoZeon]

Because Mac is Unix based and is supported.

Also Macbook Pros tend to be more robust and have better battery life than most other Laptops... regardless of price

[lutzee]

I've had chats with a Program dev who had to specifically rent an OSX server to compile with, due to not being able to compile for OSX in any other OS. Not to mention borrowing a friends mac and having that fail to compile the program.. Its just another lockdown by apple.

[fewkesy]

I'd never look back after now having a mac. Yes you can run OS X on non-apple hardware, but it really isn't the same. It never works quite as smoothly as a real mac especially with the battery life of the laptops. Mines two years old and I still get a good 8-9 hours out of my battery. Although many of us do feel that we can fix most things without help, Apple's support I've found is second to none. It's extra things like that you pay for.

[IdeaStormer]

It all depends on the money trail for each person. I switched to PC because my desire to make more money was in that channel, some can get it done with Mac. Sometimes you can pick but the decider for me was the bucks not the better OS, which ever you may decide it is as in my case the more $$$ you make the better that OS is. I have to admit on a personal note, my old PC programs still work in Win7 but any old Mac program does not, so there is some wasted $$$ in the Mac, if at least for me. If you are starting now, you have no worries in running old programs but after a few years it will hit you and when it hits your pocket book, you may change your mind, especially for software you use only a few times a year but have to use it.

[ScottStevens]

As others said, it is unfortunate that Mac-specific packages are exclusive to Mac systems. This is purely due to the depencies that they require and is not actually a lockdown imposed by apple- their programming language is Object-Oriented C instead of C/C++. They are very similar languages, but are most definitely not the same.

The same can be said for programming on Solaris and trying to carry the code over to another distribution and being expected to be able to compile it; the reality is that, without all the dependencies, you can't do so.

People who choose Macs over a Windows or *NIX-based environment do so on the following (this is my personal opinion:

1. They prefer the interface and are already accustomed the Macintosh environment.

2. They are Object-Oriented C developers and would like to create Mac-native applications.

3. A Mac system is the only legitimately run Mac software.*

*This is without running it virtually.

Keep in mind that you are able to install Windows via Bootcamp on a Mac, and you are able to install Mac on Windows via VirtualBox. You can legitimately acquire Mac (and a Mac license) by purchasing OS X via the App store, or purchasing a retail disk from Apple. From there, you are fully permitted to install it onto a Virtual system without worry of breaking Apple's EULA or ToS. You do not have to own a Mac in order to create Mac programs.

Other alternatives if you are looking to create cross-compatible programs are Qt, Java, Python, and C. They are compatible on essentially any system, including Android.

[BaronOBeanDip]

I use windows 7 and Xubuntu for Android app development.

[gamer tom]

People use Macs because they can use Xcode therefore make iOS apps

[jakemp]

In tech conferences, it's usually 45% mac, 35% linux, 20% windows, sometimes a little more mac heavy. In the class I am teaching, it's about 80% windows, 20% mac, and the linux people are hiding.

For school, linux dev is the standard at most places, and the gcc toolkit that Linux uses is easier to install on Mac, and better integrated.

Plus, as others mentioned, it's hard to do iOS dev on anything but a mac. Me personally, I prefer a Thinkpad T series with Linux.

[HewinFM]

I use Windows, OS X and Linux. I mainly program in Java since it's required in my school's programming course, so it's easy for me to hop around different platforms since Java is the same across all platforms. If you wan't to make iOS/Mac apps, obviously a Mac would be the best choice, but for everything else Windows or Linux will suffice.

[Nugget]

I use mac for school. It's mainly for portability and the fact that it all 'just works' together. I know it sounds dumb, but with all my programming homework and assignments, its nice not having to worry about pulling out a bulky notebook to do some quick code as well as having all my calendars synced with my phone, mac and on my gf's mac/phone. Definitely prefer programming at home on my mechanical keyboard though

[LaPendulum]

Macs can run windows, but non-macs can't legitimately run mac OS (for example mobile app development WON'T work in hackintosh). You still have languages like java and natively in OSX to program with.

I have OSX Lion running on an amd processor with xcode setup and can develop mobile apps with objective-c

I've tested it and it works 100% (even tested the virtual iphone with the app)

[ffdd4846]

I am studying compter engineering at Virginia Tech and our computer science department recommend that every computer science student has a Mac. This is partially due to the build quality, battery life and support, but also system stability. Terminal natively runs supports most languages. We use it quite often to run python code. It is a robust system that can run most any language

I am a dual user and I have some classes that I need to use my Lenovo X220 tablet for with windows seven. These are mostly classes that need the expanded office suite and DyKnow. When comes to getting things done I always reach for my MacBook Pro. I feel that It supports multitasking better then any other system. The operating system footprint on my ssd is really small and OSX uses very little ram allowing me to run roughly 22 programs at a time without any slow down or need to use part of the ssd as swamp space (suing the ssd as "ram"). I struggle to find faults with it.

[npissoawsome]

Obviously the best OS to program in is linux. Super lightweight, and the C++ compiler is native to unix (GNU not VC++). Than it's basically a matter of opinion for windows vs mac to me. If you want to develop iOS software, than you need Mac, if not I would 9/10 times go for Windows (You can program in .net, take advantage of the Windows Libraries, and use DirectX).

[loganryan99]

Generally speaking, OS X gets rid of a lot of the annoying parts of a PC (this is coming from a Windows user, mind you). You don't have to deal with Microsoft Update, different editions (besides server) of the OS, the applications on OS X are a far better experience than Windows apps, Macs generally don't crash as the OS is only built for one type of hardware, etc.

Apple really does a good job of cleaning up the OS and making sure the interface is uniform through-out, because on Windows 7 there are probably three different UI schemes used in just the control panel alone. (So many of the dialog windows look exactly the same as they did in early versions of Windows)

​All of the above just turns into being an overall better experience for consumers, however I agree with some when they say it feels like a toy :P

[AwesomeTimeTraveler]

I personally don't dev on anything that isn't Linux, if I can help it; better support for free software and distribution. I would still use PC (Windows) over Mac, though.

[mr-nipples]

Macs can run windows, but non-macs can't legitimately run mac OS (for example mobile app development WON'T work in hackintosh). You still have languages like java and natively in OSX to program with.

yeah im running a hackintosh and I can tell you that it can do everything (software wise) that a mac can do - bar none. Its not like a VM, it is a natively running machine, the only limitations are hardware tools such as airplay.