Maybe my perspective is different because I'm relatively young, but everywhere I worked every dev was using GNU/Linux at work and only a tiny minority expressed that they'd prefer macOS. Windows was always something that was used exclusively by non-dev departments (aside of testing machines for checking compatibility). I seem to remember only a single exception, and that was a WordPress developer who worked with and as part of the marketing team, so not sure if it really counts.
I don't doubt such shops exist but based on job ads I've seen and interviews I've done they're very much the minority at least in my part of the world. Why a non-iOS developer would choose macOS I don't quite get but each to their own. I'm willing to bet a significant percentage of developers do typically use Windows, even if there is growing tendency to use WSL+Docker for core development activities.
Non-iOS developer that chooses to use macOS right here. Why? First, because it's not Windows. Second, it runs other software that I need that isn't available on nix. I can run nix style stuff with BSD flair. I can run things native, no VM or docker container. There's lots of reasons. Mainly, I abhor Windows.
I'm actually fine with basically any OS, I've used them all over the years to various degrees. But MacOS was always the one where I felt I was working with one hand tied behind my back, with various things I use all the time (extended keyboard with separate Del/Backspace, right mouse button/ scroll wheel, many software tools, ability to poke around "under the cover" etc.) either outright missing or compromised on MacOS/Apple hardware. Though it's Apple's whole approach to forced software upgrades that annoys me the most. The battery life is good though.
Unless you're only using built-in laptop keyboard/trackpad, why is that limiting. It's USB compatible with pretty much any 3rd party. I have a full size Mac keyboard with 10-key and home/end/del/pageUp/pageDown. I hate not having it. So I'm not sure why you're unable to use the same. I do agree on their mice being a bit lacking, but again, any mouse can be used. It's not like you have to have Dell mouse with your Dell comp. Gamers all use different mice, so why the hate on a peripherial?
If I really had no choice but to use a Mac for the majority of my work then, sure, I'd invest in better peripherals but the times I've worked with them that generally wasn't a readily available option or worth my while. And there's no hate - if I'd used mostly Macs for the last 35+ years I'd probably find various things missing on Wintel machines to be a drag on productivity too.
> Unless you're only using built-in laptop keyboard/trackpad
Well, I am. I find it too cumbersome otherwise. If I wanted to have a desktop workstation, I would have a desktop PC - with a laptop, I'm working on its keyboard and touchpad, so I can move with it anywhere I want and still be as comfortable using it as usual.
and what non-Apple laptop is available with a full sized keyboard that you'd be okay using? it just seems such a petty thing when no other laptop meets your "needs"
I'm using Dell XPS 13 9380 right now and it serves me well, although I'd prefer the keyboard layout of Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro that I used previously and which I find perfect. These days it's getting increasingly hard to find a 13" laptop with acceptable keyboard layout :(
I don't know how does the situation look like with larger laptops as I wasn't interested in them when I was looking around for a new computer the last time.
First, anything Adobe. I haven't run Wine in a really long time. Maybe it has progressed with Adobe software runs acceptably now? Don't know, but there have been other non-dev centric and mainly video centric type apps that never worked on Linux. After that, Windows v Apple. For me and what I need to do, Windows loses every. single. time.
Now, I'm an old dog not interested in learning new tricks unless it will absolutely postively without a doubt be money making for me. Doing for the sake of doing is no longer something I'm passionate about. I have other things to spend my time that is much more deserving of my passion. That's what the young kids are for, and then brag about their accomplisments on a Show HN. Then I can decide if it is worthy for me.
One thing I should probably add is that I was mostly talking about webdev circles (these days I work far from webdev on GNU/Linux-centered projects so you obviously don't see Windows there, but this wasn't always the case in my career). However, I'm also pretty close to gamedev circles and, indeed, Windows is still dominant there.
