Hello there, fellow tech enthusiast or manager of a JavaScript guru. You’re in search for the blog about Why Mac is better than Windows for VS Code! Perhaps you need assistance with gaining approval to purchasing your Macbook Pro at work or in your own personal LLC.
Author note: Before I begin I want to explain this isn’t a choice between good or evil. The artwork used for this blog does feel like a choice between good or bad, but that’s not the case! Rather it’s a choice between “what’s right for me tomorrow?”
Have you ever wondered why so many JavaScript developers prefer Mac?
Verse their more well known alternative Windows PCs? Especially when working with Visual Studio Code and the command line? Let’s dive into the reasons in a fun and easy-to-understand way.
Here at dev3lop.com we know first hand the importance of having similar work environments across multiple machines. Also, we have noticed in our time analytics consulting, Microsoft Windows takes more time! Where macs take less time.
Has anyone asked you why you need a MacBook VS Windows, but not 100% how to respond? I built this blog for you/me, a passionate human who wants to source the right information but not sure how to put the words together.
The Unix-Based Advantage on Mac
You’ve probably heard of UNIX! If not, here’s the scoop: UNIX is an operating system created way back in the ‘70s. It’s actually the grandparent of both macOS and Linux (you know, that other popular system developers love). When people say macOS is “Unix-based,” it means it shares the same DNA as UNIX. Unix is famous for being reliable, powerful, and developer-friendly.
So, Why Does Unix-Based Advantages Matter for Mac Developers?
Web development tools, especially those used for JavaScript, were originally designed to run on UNIX or Unix-based systems.
- Fewer Setup Hassles: Since macOS and UNIX are so closely related, most developer tools just work right out of the box on a Mac. Need to run a server, install a package, or test out some code? On macOS, it’s often as easy as a one-liner in the Terminal.
- Shell Commands are Standardized: UNIX-based systems use familiar shell commands like
ls(to list files),cd(to change directories), andcp(to copy files), which makes moving between Linux servers and your Mac seamless. Windows has equivalents, but they’re different commands, and jumping back and forth can get confusing. - Access to Developer-Friendly Shells: macOS comes with zsh and bash shells, which are super common in the coding world. Why’s that nice? It means when you follow tutorials, guides, or code examples online. You won’t need to adjust anything—it’s as if you’re computer is speaking the same language as the instructors computer.
- More Consistent with Online Resources: The development community is huge. Most of its resources (like tutorials, Stack Overflow answers, etc.) assume you’re using a UNIX-based system. On macOS, you get to skip any additional adjustments, so you can follow along with most tutorials without any surprises.
Consistency is king in engineering
More consistent is a big deal. Being consistent means less time pulling your hair out over Windows poor experience. Less downtime is king is the world of being in the zone.
So if you’re working with JavaScript and Visual Studio Code, macOS’s Unix roots mean a smoother, more seamless experience overall!
Technical Tidbit: MacOS is built on Unix, the same foundation as Linux. This means many developer tools run smoothly without extra setup, hair pulling, or extra hours figuring something out.
Simple Explanation: Think of macOS as a native speaker of the “developer language.” It understands commands and tools without needing a translator. You can start working faster. Things are easier for the engineers.
The Seamless Command-Line Experience on Mac
If you’ve heard developers talk about “the command line” or “the terminal,” they’re talking about that black screen from the Matrix. The place to tell your computer exactly what to do. Sounds a bit old-school, right? But it’s super powerful and essential for coding.
On a Mac, this command-line experience is especially smooth and developer-friendly. Here’s why:
Technical Tidbit
The Terminal app on macOS gives you access to popular command-line shells like zsh and bash (both are types of “shells,” or environments where you can run commands). These shells are used by developers all over the world and are packed with features and shortcuts that make coding a breeze.
Breaking It Down
- No Extra Setup Needed: With macOS, you get Terminal, zsh, and bash right out of the box. You don’t need to download any extra software or make special configurations; they’re just there and ready to go.
- Commands that “Just Work”: The commands you type in Terminal are the same ones that work on Linux and many servers. So if you’re running a web server, installing packages, or creating files, the same commands you’d use on a Mac work practically anywhere else in the coding world. On Windows, you’d have to switch to PowerShell or a separate Linux-style shell, which can add some extra steps.
- Auto-Complete and Shortcuts: Shells like zsh on macOS have great auto-complete features. You start typing a command, hit
Tab, and boom—the Terminal fills it in for you. This makes navigating around your files, running programs, and finding commands faster and easier. - Feels Familiar to Other Developers: Most developers are used to zsh or bash, so if you ever need help or want to collaborate on a project, everyone’s pretty much on the same page. Plus, tutorials and online resources are usually written with these shells in mind, which makes following along a snap!
Simple Explanation
Using the command line on a Mac is like chatting with an old friend who gets all your jokes (commands) without missing a beat. Everything works smoothly, and you don’t have to “explain” anything to get what you need. So if you’re working with JavaScript and Visual Studio Code, the Mac’s Terminal feels intuitive, reliable, and ready for action!
CHOOSE YOUR COMPUTER
Homebrew: Your Handy Helper
Imagine a magical toolbox where you can pull out any tool you need just by saying its name. That’s basically what Homebrew is for Mac users! Homebrew is a package manager. Homebrew is a huge deal in the developer world because it makes installing software and tools a breeze.
Technical Tidbit
Homebrew is a command-line package manager for macOS that allows you to quickly install, update, and manage software packages and developer tools. With just a single command, you can add programs, libraries, and utilities that you might otherwise have to track down individually. It’s super useful because it simplifies the process of setting up and maintaining all the software you need for development.
Breaking It Down
- One-Command Installs: With Homebrew, installing something is as easy as opening Terminal and typing
brew install <tool-name>. Want to get Node.js for JavaScript development? Just typebrew install node. Done! Homebrew downloads, installs, and sets up everything for you. - Automatic Updates and Maintenance: Homebrew doesn’t just install software; it also helps you keep everything up-to-date. You can update all your tools with a simple command (
brew upgrade), so you don’t have to check each tool individually. - Built-in Uninstaller: When you’re done with a tool, Homebrew lets you remove it with
brew uninstall <tool-name>, clearing it off your system without leaving behind unnecessary files or settings. - Wide Range of Developer Tools: Homebrew has a huge catalog of software, especially for developers. So whether you need Git, Python, Node.js, or even database systems like MySQL, Homebrew has it all, ready to install in seconds.
Simple Explanation
Homebrew on a Mac is like having a magic wand for software. Need a tool? Just type a command, and it appears. Need an update? Another command, and it’s all fresh. With Homebrew, everything you need to start coding is at your fingertips, making your development life way easier!
Consistent Community and Documentation
One of the best parts of being a developer is the massive amount of help, tutorials, and resources out there—often created by other developers who’ve faced the same challenges. When you’re working on a Mac, you get the full benefit of this developer community support since most documentation, guides, and code snippets are written with UNIX-based systems like macOS in mind.
Technical Tidbit
Most JavaScript and web development tutorials, Stack Overflow answers, and online documentation are geared towards UNIX-based systems (like macOS and Linux). Because macOS is so similar to these systems, the commands, setups, and paths match up perfectly. On Windows, there are often extra steps or alternative commands, which can make following along more complicated.
Breaking It Down
- Seamless Compatibility with Guides: Since macOS shares its UNIX roots with Linux, almost any tutorial or setup guide for a JavaScript tool or library will work without adjustments on a Mac. You can follow guides word-for-word, and they’ll work just like they’re supposed to.
- Popular Among Developers: A lot of developers use macOS, so it’s common to find specific support for macOS issues online. Whether you’re troubleshooting a JavaScript error or setting up VS Code, there’s a good chance someone else has documented their experience on a Mac.
- Direct Command-Line Instructions: Most coding resources include command-line instructions written for zsh, bash, or Terminal, which come with macOS by default. On Windows, you might need PowerShell, Command Prompt, or WSL to follow along, but on a Mac, it’s as easy as copy-pasting the commands.
- Less Friction in Collaborating: If you’re working with other developers or following a course, you’ll likely find that everyone’s on the same page if they’re using macOS or Linux. No need to translate commands or explain differences between operating systems.
Simple Explanation
Using macOS feels like walking into a community where everyone speaks the same language. When you follow a tutorial, join a class, or work with a team, you won’t have to adjust anything because macOS is the “default” for so many guides. So, you can learn, troubleshoot, and collaborate without any extra hassle.
Docker and Virtualization Made Easy
Technical Tidbit: Docker runs natively on macOS, allowing for efficient containerization and virtualization.
Simple Explanation: Think of it as having a flexible workspace that adapts to any project you’re working on, without any hassle.
Performance and Stability
With many of the latest MacBook’s carrying awesome upgrades, like m1/m2, it becomes a great choice for developers who are creating solutions. Similar to when we create our data engineering solutions on our Macbook Pros, we want the best possible performance, and that’s what our clients expect too!
Technical Tidbit: MacBooks, especially those with M1/M2 chips, offer powerful performance with efficient resource management.
Simple Explanation: It’s like driving a car that’s both super fast and incredibly fuel-efficient—you get speed without sacrificing endurance.
Less Hassle with Setup and Configuration
Technical Tidbit: MacOS requires fewer tweaks to get development environments up and running compared to Windows.
Simple Explanation: Starting a project on a Mac feels like opening a ready-to-use kit, whereas on Windows, you might have to assemble some parts first.
Wrapping It Up
For apps like Tableau, Windows is a best practice and has more features, something we have learned over a period of time doing Tableau Consulting Services!
While Windows PCs have come a long way and offer great tools for developers, MacBooks provide a streamlined, hassle-free environment that’s hard to beat for JavaScript development with Visual Studio Code. The Unix-based system, combined with a supportive community and robust performance, makes it a top choice for many.
Ready to Boost Your Coding Experience?
If you’re looking to make your JavaScript development journey smoother and more enjoyable, giving a MacBook a try might just be the game-changer you need!
Do you have experiences or tips to share about using MacBooks or Windows PCs for development? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear from you!
As dev3lop continues to focus on javascript app development, we will continue to share more about cool TLDR tech topics that need detailed information.
