This was originally written in July 2025 when I was trying to decide between a self-built Linux and Windows computer or a 2024 Mac Mini. I have since made my decision, which I'll note at the end of this post.
Yes, I'm very much a Mac user, but I also have to face reality...when I finally save up the amount necessary, I will only be able to afford one new computer. And at this moment, I need a computer that will allow me to work and do so efficiently.
I will present to you, and to myself, why a dual-boot Linux and Windows computer could be better for my use case. Will I still choose a 2024 Mac Mini or go with a Non-Mac?
The following compares a 2024 Mac Mini and macOS to Linux running MATE desktop environment (with the taskbar at the bottom) and Windows ('Combine taskbar buttons - When full' is set). I am not interested in other Unix-like desktop environments like KDE, GNOME, etc so I won't be comparing those. All of these observations are based on my experience -- your experiences will probably differ greatly from mine.
| Task | Mac | Non-Mac | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasonable ability to upgrade memory or storage | Impossible to upgrade memory without special and expensive equipment, storage is upgradable but not a lot of third-party device choices | Most standard non-Mac hardware can be upgraded easily | Non-Mac |
| Plugging in standard USB-A peripherals (keyboard, mouse, etc) | Not possible without a hub or adapter | Almost always possible with current non-Macs | Non-Mac |
| Finding and selecting an open window | Click the app's dock icon to get the active window, but you have to use the window menu or right-click the app's dock icon and choose a secondary window from there | See an app's open windows on the taskbar or panel and click the one you want | Non-Mac |
| Compile and use software (without using Xcode, without having a paid dev account) | Most software compiles using components / libraries from Homebrew but running
on newer macOS versions is blocked unless run from the Terminal. Self-built binaries can
be set as 'safe' using xattr and codesign commands |
Nearly everything that is self-compiled runs fine, without being blocked. Windows will throw a security screen warning for downloaded unsigned apps though. | Non-Mac |
| Built-in image viewer can easily move through all images in a folder | No, you have to select all the images you want to view and open them all (Yes, I know you can use the 'gallery view' Finder mode, but that doesn't count and is clunky) | Yes, 'Eye of MATE' and Windows image viewers can do this | Non-Mac |
| How well do you think the computer work in ten or more years? | Based on my 2013 Mac Pro, 'not very good'. Using this 2013 Mac Pro for day-to-day activities is painfully slow, apps randomly freeze for no apparent reason, video stutters quite often, and the USB system dies randomly, for no apparent reason |
Based on my 2013 HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Tower, 'okay'. Using Linux and Windows 10 on this HP tower is not super-fast but it is responsive, the video doesn't usually stutter and is much more usable for work tasks than the 2013 Mac Pro and, yes, the USB works fine |
Non-Mac |
| Easily make a 'shortcut' to any executable on the dock / taskbar | Only executables that are in macOS bundles can be added to the dock. You can wrap non-bundled executables in an Automator-created app and put this in the dock, but it no longer works reliably on newer versions of macOS |
A launcher to any executable can be added to the panel on Linux under MATE.
On Windows 10, any shortcut can be add to the taskbar. Windows 11 makes this a little harder,
but is still easier than macOS. Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a way to add a toolbar to the taskbar under Windows 11, which stinks. I liked to put a bunch of shortcuts in a folder, add that folder to the taskbar as a toolbar (without labels or titles) and that would be my compact taskbar launcher |
Non-Mac |
| Makes good use of screen real-estate | Absolutely not. Apple added unnecessary space around the dock and having
an ever-present menu bar wastes a lot of room. Yes, I know you can hide the dock and menu bar, but I don't like hiding these things |
Linux and MATE: Yes. You can set the panel to a small height. Windows 10: Yes, if you choose small taskbar icons Windows 11: Not as good as Windows 10. The taskbar is not resizable and takes up way more space than it should |
Non-Mac (mostly) |
| Task | Mac | Non-Mac | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS provides a coherent and seamless experience between apps | For the most part, yes. Many of macOS's apps work well together and provide functionality that is lacking or missing from similar apps on other OSes. Some app developers use non-system GUI elements and this makes them look odd and out of place | Short answer: MATE on Linux, mostly. Windows: Ehhhh 🤷♂️ MATE on Linux is probably a little better with this than Windows. While Microsoft's Office suite uses common user-interaction language, many Windows apps look totally different than each other. For some strange reason, many OEMs and others use odd-looking custom GUI elements instead of just using normal system components. This makes Windows look like a weird collection of un-unified apps |
Mac |
| Make music fairly easily with a free app | Yes, GarageBand is decent | There are free Linux and Windows DAWs (digital audio workstations), but
they aren't generally as easy to use as GarageBand. Compare GarageBand with LMMS, for example |
Mac |
| 'Cool factor' | I guess...? 🤷♂️ | Definitely not | Mac(?) |
| Integrates well with our family's phones (We are on our family-member's phone plan, so we aren't the ones who chose iPhones) |
Yes, maybe a little too much | LOL NOE 🤣 | Mac |
| Task | Mac | Non-Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Notifications stay on screen until dismissed | Yes, macOS has flexible notification settings which allows this | Linux + MATE + dunst: Yes, although it sometimes looks a little off when there
are many notifications. MATE's built-in notifications always disappear after some time,
NOT how I like it. On Windows 10 notifications can only be shown for max five minutes, then they disappear. NOT how I like it |
| Customer support for OS | Eh...Apple is 'okay' while the computer is still covered | Linux: Obviously not when using Devuan. Windows: Not really, they refer you to the Feedback app or the Microsoft forums |
| Customer support for hardware | Yes, Apple is decent while the computer is still covered | If you buy from HP or Dell, it's hit and miss. If it's a self-build you are depending on the parts vendor to cover any warranties and past experience has not been encouraging |
| Sound works well | Yes, and it's almost like it has super nice EQ even when using external speakers or headphones | Linux: Not really. Sound system seems to be sleeping if something hasn't
played for a while so some sounds get cut off (Debian, Devuan, Linux Mint) Windows: Yes, typically |
Notes from October 2025
My final decision? Neither. I ended up purchasing a used 2018 Mac Mini for dirt-cheap, which is
working well and still runs macOS Sequoia. I'm planning on purchasing a new Mac Mini someday, but
this 2018 Mini works just fine and Sequoia should be supported for two more years.
I have found how to mark self-built binaries as 'safe' by using the following shell script:
fix-attribs
# usage: fix-attribs /Applications/MySelfBuiltApp.app # clean ds_stores and icons find "$1" -iname .DS_Store -ls -delete find "$1" -iname Icon* -ls -delete # delete extended attributes xattr -cr "$1" # sign codesign -s - --deep --force "$1"
What's sad and also amazing about this 2018 Mac Mini is that its performance is miles ahead of the 2013 Mac Pro. My Mac Pro is now wrapped up in protective plastic, ready to be sold to someone who might be able to use it. For a 2018 computer, this Mini still has plenty of power and doesn't act like a steelworks crucible (like the Mac Pro). Thankfully this inexpensive choice has given me a couple of years of breathing room until I can save up for a new Apple Silicon Mini someday.
So what about Windows and Linux? They are still important, but keeping my sanity is a big plus. macOS is by no means perfect -- I'm always finding head-scratching design choices and bugs, but, for me, macOS just works best for how my brain functions. Linux is the best as far as privacy and software development, but its still-unpolished fit and finish and spotty hardware support means it's best run in a virtual machine. The same for with Windows.
God bless you, and thank you for reading!
About me
First and foremost I'm a follower of Jesus Christ. After that, I'm a blessed husband, father and
grandfather. I do remote computer work for a living although it's mostly part-time. I'm an amateur
radio operator - AF7EC. When I'm not working on the endless list of house and car projects, I like to
tinker with electronics, like to listen to shortwave radio and write software (mostly open-source) in
C, C++ and Python. I usually bounce around between macOS, Linux and Windows for support and
development work. Overall, I am a big nobody, but always willing to share about Jesus and all that
God has done for me and my family.
Comments
(No comments yet)