Both are Unix-based. But the differences are significant.
Mac Advantages¶
- Best hardware (M-series chips)
- macOS + Unix terminal
- iOS development
- Retina display, trackpad, build quality
- Homebrew = package manager
- Professional apps (Sketch, Final Cut)
Mac Disadvantages¶
- Price ($1500-4000+)
- Less customizable
- Closed ecosystem
- Specific issues (Docker on M-series)
Linux Advantages¶
- Free
- Full control
- Runs on anything
- Native Docker/K8s
- Same as production
- Unlimited customization
Linux Disadvantages¶
- Hardware compatibility (Wi-Fi, GPU)
- Less polished UX
- No Adobe/Office natively
- More DIY troubleshooting
What for What Work¶
- iOS dev → Mac (required)
- DevOps/SRE → Linux or Mac
- Full-stack web → both OK
- Data science → both OK
- Game dev → Windows (irony)
Verdict¶
Mac = premium, convenience, works out of box. Linux = flexibility, control, free. For most developers, Mac is the best investment — if you can afford it.
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