Macbooks are not an incentive

I've seen a number of job postings that include the line "all employees use MacBooks".

I suppose that this is intended as an enticement. I suppose that a MacBook is considered a "perk", a benefit of working at the company. Apple equipment is considered "cool", for some reason.

I'm not sure why.

MacBooks in 2018 are decent computers, but I find that they are inferior to other computers, especially when it comes to development.

I've been using computers for quite some time, and programming for most of that time. I've used MacBooks and Chromebooks and modern PCs. I've used older PCs and even ancient PCs with IBM's Model M keyboard. I've worked on IBM's System/23 (which was the origin of the first IBM PC keyboard). I have even used model 33 ASR Teletype terminals, which are large mechanical beasts that print uppercase on roll paper and do a poor job of it. So I know what I like.

And I don't like Apple's MacBook and MacBook Pro computers. I dislike the keyboard; I want more travel in the keys. I dislike the touchpad in front of the keyboard; I prefer the small pointing stick embedded in Lenovo and some Dell laptop keyboards. I dislike Apple's displays, which are too bright and too reflective. I want "matte" finish displays which hide reflections from light sources such as windows and ceiling lights.

My main client provides a computer, one that I must use when working for them. The computer is a Dell laptop, with a high-gloss display and a keyboard that is a bit better than current Apple keyboards, but not by much. I supplement the PC with a matte-finish display and a Matias "Quiet Pro" keyboard. These make the configuration much more tolerable.

Just as I "fixed" the Dell laptop, I could "fix" a MacBook Pro with an additional keyboard and display. But once I do that, why bother with the MacBook? Why not use a Mac Mini, or for that matter any small-factor PC? The latter would probably offer just as much memory and disk, and more USB ports. And cost less. And run Linux.

It may be some time before companies realize that developers have strong opinions about the equipment that they use. I think that they will, and when they do, they will provide developers with choices for equipment -- including the "bring your own" option.

And it may be some time before developers realize that Apple MacBooks are not the best for development. Apple devices have a lot of glamour, but glamour doesn't get the job done -- at least not for me. Apple designs computers for visual appeal, and I need good ergonomic design.

I'm not going to forbid developers from using Apple products, or demand that everyone use the same equipment that I use. I will suggest that developers try different equipment, see which devices work for them, and understand the benefits of those devices. Pick your equipment for the right reasons, not because it has a pretty logo.

In the end, I find the phrase "all employees use MacBooks" to be a disincentive, a reason to avoid a particular gig. Because I would rather be productive than cool.