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

submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] 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] 4 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I think in general ARM support is better on Linux than on windows, because ARM servers have been a thing for a few years now. I think basically the entire Ubuntu repository is compiled for ARM now.

For the battery life, I'm not even sure an arm laptop is what you need considering the state of driver support for power efficiency features vs Intel or amd chips. The new Intel lunar lake chips especially score exceptionally well in terms of efficiency. Better battery life with less noise as the AMD HX Zen5 and about as good as the Apple M3 levels of good