PC Games Hardware reports that developers are still opting for Mac hardware rather than Windows 11, even though Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is available to them. The German outlet published the observation on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, framing WSL's presence as insufficient to change developer preferences.
The report centers on a gap between a feature Microsoft offers and the choices developers actually make. WSL gives Windows 11 users a way to run a Linux environment inside the operating system. According to PC Games Hardware, that capability has not stopped developers from turning to Apple's platform instead.
The material available does not detail the specific reasons developers cite for the preference, nor does it include survey data, named developers, or statements from Microsoft or Apple. PC Games Hardware's headline and summary present the trend as a contrast: WSL exists on Windows 11, yet the Mac remains the pick for this group.
What to watch next: whether Microsoft adjusts its developer-facing tools or messaging in response, and whether further reporting from PC Games Hardware or others supplies concrete data behind the preference.
