This is a short story about my history with computers and my journey through various operating systems.
My first exposure to computing began in 2011, when I was gifted an IBM desktop running Windows XP. It was a reward for finishing primary school and getting into one of the top colleges in Mauritius. At that time, computers were relatively expensive and a luxury for many. Internet connectivity was limited and often restricted due to high costs, and I didn’t have access to many programming resources. Unlike many of my peers who started coding early, my initial years were spent playing games and eventually supporting my college studies.
The Linux Years
Over time, I became more technical and began experimenting with different operating systems. I transitioned from Windows XP to Windows Vista (briefly) and then Windows 7. During my degree, I discovered Linux. I started by dual-booting Linux Mint and later moved to a triple-boot setup with Windows Server 2008 (while studying Oracle databases). Eventually, I reverted to Windows 7 due to software compatibility needs.
When I moved to Sydney, I bought a Lenovo Ultrabook running Windows 8. I attempted to dual-boot Ubuntu, but persistent driver issues on the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro made it difficult to maintain. Once I completed my course in 2016, I performed a fresh Ubuntu install. While I enjoyed the Linux environment, I was never quite satisfied with the UI aesthetics. This led me to elementary OS in mid-2017, which I enjoyed enough to document my entire setup process.
The Move to Mac
In 2018, my Lenovo finally died after four years of heavy use. After being quoted a high price for a motherboard replacement, I knew it was time for a new machine. I considered several options:
- Dell XPS: Great hardware, but shipped with Windows.
- Dell XPS Developer Edition: Too expensive for my budget.
- Lenovo X1 Carbon: Familiar, but again, Windows-native.
- Microsoft Surface: A bit too small and pricey for my needs.
- MacBook Pro: I had historically been “anti-Apple,” questioning why anyone would pay the premium.
I wanted a machine that could run elementary OS or Ubuntu natively without the hassle of proprietary driver fixes. During my research, I found a deal on a MacBook Pro that was too good to pass up (an example of optimal stopping).
I’ve been using the MacBook for several months now, and the experience has been seamless. My work laptop was also recently upgraded to an i7 MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar; while the performance is excellent, I still haven’t found a compelling use for the Touch Bar itself.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing the specific software and tools I’ve installed to make macOS feel like home. Until then, stay safe!