Why is a macbook seen as best for programming?

I can only really see one aspect of programming where a Mac would be better and that would be developing applications for Apple devices. I have always done my software development on a Windows machine (or a 3270 screen on a mainframe!) because the software I was developing was for use on a Windows machine.
 
most of the people i know with macs have them because its what they learned to use at uni...
a few have them to be fashionable though.

i think most primary schools etc use pcs so in the future macs could find them self in a bit of trouble
 
Its all about the keyboard + monitor real-estate and sharpness (less eyestrain)... so desktop with 2 monitors beats a laptop with whatever OS it has...

OS is just preference unless the type of programming you do is OS specific

edit: Oh, and the desk and office chair have to be comfy and spacious unless you need to be mobile, then a 13.3'' laptop will probably be the best for perfect balance of portability and still have enough screen real-estate until you get back to your beloved programming PC
 
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Programmers like using nice kit. The MacBook Pro is a very nice piece of kit. Thus, programmers like using MacBook Pros.

The great thing about MacBook Pros is that there isn't a budget option. This means that your company can't buy you some horrible £400 PoS, which is what most large companies do when they're choosing laptops to buy. Ask for a MacBook Pro and you know that you're getting a very decent minimum spec, with great battery life and a very usable trackpad.

They certainly aren't a must though, unless you're doing OSX/iOS development.
 
Apple thread in GD? This is going to end well....:p

Good points about MBP would be being able to run Windows, Linux and OSX (okay so PCs can run OSX86 but it apparently has some problems in more specialised applications e.g. Xcode).

It also has a very good keyboard, trackpad, battery life and build quality, and a high resolution screen, but TBH if you spend similar money on a PC you can get most of them as well, although I don't know of any PCs with such a good trackpad as the Macs.

So compared to a cheaper PC with the same raw performance Macs are indeed very good for programming. But compared to a similarly priced PC with the same raw performance and a good keyboard/battery/screen/build quality, their advantage is being able to code OSX and iOS apps, and the trackpad.
 
A trackpad, that essential programming tool.

The multi-touch trackpads that apple use are awesome. I use MultiClutch, which means I can map any keyboard shortcut to three finger trackpad gestures (swipe up/down/left/right, pinch, zoom, rotate left/right). This makes navigating around not just text files but all programs much simpler and quicker. Obviously this depends on your specific workflow but I (and many others) find it extremely useful.
 
The best keyboard I have ever used was in the old skool Thinkpads. But the trackpad in the MBP really is something special.
 
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It's not. Also, Xcode is a pain in the arse to get set up.

Then don't use Xcode... Simple answer.

If your a unix guy, use emacs or vim. If your corporate stooge use Eclipse(What I use) =P

If you use .net, use bootcamp.

The point is mac gives you pretty much every choice there is.

Stop this crazy prejudice against mac.
 
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Good argument there. Completely got me, completely disproved the fact that OS X is basically BSD with a different kernel.

Get some education.

I love my macbook pro had it for 4 years but recently the trackpad has broken :(

Yeah sorry you're right I don't know what I'm talking about and "you can do anything linux + unix can do". Oh no, wait.
 
Yeah sorry you're right I don't know what I'm talking about and "you can do anything linux + unix can do". Oh no, wait.

?????

Linux and Unix are similar. Technically OS X is unix, not linux.

Again, people aren't explaining their answers.

You can't use the GNU environment? Oh wait you can
You can't use GTK or KDE? Oh wait you can.
You can't use any of the posix api's? Oh wait you can.

...
 
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Most of the time when I'm doing some coding, my hands are on the keyboard about 90% of the time.. so trackpad/mouse isn't that much at all important
 
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