What would you recommend for a SWE to request at Google for laptop and desktop? I've heard Linux works best for the desktop. Team will use a Java stack.
Linux desktop, pick whatever for laptop, you’ll only use it to ssh into desktop
What? No i9 32GB 2018 MBP?
Choose a Linux workstation unless you know for sure you are doing Windows or iOS development. If your team has a 24/7 on-call rotation, get the lightest, smallest laptop your can (I have a 13 inch MacBook which works fine), especially if you live in a city and walk and take public transit on the weekend -- when on-call you'll need to lug your laptop with you everywhere.
How easy/difficult is it to change a desktop or a laptop after joining? For example, if somebody picks a Windows desktop and realizes that it's better to use a Linux desktop, then how easy would it be to switch?
Laptops refresh on a 2y cycle, desktops on 3y. You cannot pick Windows unless you're developing something on Windows, and even then it's more likely you'll use a shared lab Windows machine. Mac desktops are for a different role. You use Goobuntu to work with the mono repo.
How about for PMs and TPMs? Is there a recommended laptop/desktop or is it up to each person's preferrence?
I got the pixelbook and it is awesome because it is so freaking light and thin it is super easy to carry around with you. I would highly recommend. Also, you can literally do everything through a browser for almost every team here so there's really no need for anything more than a Chromebook.
I returned my Mac for pixelbook. Keyboard is way better and the machine is a lot lighter. Update is super fast comparing to Mac and windows machine.
Ask your manager.