After many of the Linux expos/conventions/meetings/whatever people point out that there seem to be a lot of Macs. So the first question is why do Linux people buy Macs? While, I think few people would dispute that Apples is really good at design. When you look at a standard Dell computer and a MacBook, the MacBook looks way, way better. There are a few other small reasons a Linux geek might use a Mac, such as already owning one, but I doubt that sort of thing is really the explanation for all the Macs.

This reasoning might seem a little counterinuitive at first. Who would think that Linux geeks would care about having their laptops look pretty? Really, though, this is not anything new. Compiz Fusion is, while also in some ways being useful, largely about looking cool. When openSuse came out with a pretty installer, it made news. Ubuntu’s new theme for 8.04 (now cancelled) got a lot of attention. All this points to one thing: Linux geeks really do care about how their computers look.

This still leaves the question of why Macs? Surely there are other companies that make cool looking laptops right? While… I guess there is Alienware, but they are on a fine line between “cool” and “just wierd,” so who makes laptops to rival the design of the MacBook and MacBook Pro? As far as I know of, not really anyone. I am sure there are companies out there trying to compete with Apple’s designs, but they don’t seem to be doing so well since Apple is still considered the king of design.

We already have companies like System76 and ZaReason making Linux-based computers, but why doesn’t one of these companies try more for style. Sure it might require more initial investment, but don’t you think a laptop designed to rival Apple’s designs would attract customers?