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Ask HN: New Laptop

If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be [spec(s)] because I am a [CEO/CTO/Programmer/Homeless guy]
( 20 comments | 10 points | on HN )
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by groups on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @08:12AM (#6717556)
If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be an IPS screen and the best keyboard available because IPS screens cause me less eyestrain and a quality keyboard with a trackpoint is a pleasure. I value ergonomics. I also value a light laptop, as my desktop has ample power. I am a programmer.

I also value the capability to run any OS I want, because like brokenparser said, "because I am what I am and the supplied OS is never good enough."

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by tomw1808 on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @11:22AM (#6718660)
What do you think about the new upcoming high-res displays (3200x1600)?

I like high res, but they seem to be a little bit over-the-top, although they are IPS Panels of course...

Any opinion? Anyone worked on them already with day2day programming?

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by groups on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @05:57PM (#6721996)
I haven't worked on one, but when I try the rMBPs at the store I find text more enjoyable to read. I have a retina iPhone, and I like reading text on it (though it's small). I value aspect ratio and total area of screen. A 3:2 15" retina screen would be perfect. If I could afford an 15" rMBP I'd get it (if only to run linux on).

My current laptop is a TN screen Thinkpad, and I loath the screen. I'm embarrassed to show it to other people. I haven't gotten a new laptop because 1. I'm on a shoestring right now, and 2. I want a better aspect ratio than 16:9, which is all Lenovo provides. Ugh. I hope the Chromebook Pixel inspires other manufacturers.

Edit: Actually, I should say I like the screen because the color temperature is so freaking awful that it doesn't bother me to work at night. My iPhone is shockingly blue compared to this dying-ass CCFL-backlit screen. I've never articulated this point before. I know I could change the color temperature manually, but there's something appealing about this being the stupid way it is.

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by staunch on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @02:30PM (#6720268)
Resolution. I've been buying 1920x1200 15" laptops for along time. My latest laptop is a retina MBP, which I have only because of the resolution (it's fine otherwise too, but nothing special). I just wish the screen wasn't glossy.

Other requirements: SSD, discrete Nvidia graphics card (which do great under Linux), lots of RAM.

I probably wouldn't work anywhere that wouldn't let me run Linux on my machine without virtualization.

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by jathu on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @11:13PM (#6723303)
This is the main reason I bought the Zenbook UX32VD. The 1920x1080 resolution on a 13" screen is amazing! It's not glossy either, which is a huge plus.
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by brokenparser on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @03:09AM (#6716449)
Most important would be the capability to run any OS I feed it (without any signature bullcrap) because I am what I am and the supplied OS is never good enough.
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by tomw1808 on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @05:17AM (#6716886)
agreed.
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by daliusd on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @05:26AM (#6716930)
Something lightweight with 13 inch screen because I like light stuff and feel comfortable writing code on 13 inch screen. I can write code on smaller or larger screen but 13 inch feels about right in case I need to use Gimp/Inkscape.
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by ra00l on Sunday November 17, 2013 @03:58AM (#6748151)
weight: this is th most important. it's a laptop, you carry it around, so it should be confortable to carry

SSD: speeds everthing up

keyboard/trackpad: you're a developer, so you write a lot. Make sure it's confortable to do so

screen: you spend a lot of time in front of the screen, so make sure you get something that's easy on the eyes.

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by gesman on Wednesday November 13, 2013 @04:05PM (#6728506)
Sony Z, 1920x1200, 13.3".

Made in Japan.

Can't beat that, unless you forced to live in Mac world.

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by crz on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @03:48AM (#6716576)
If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be a trackpoint because thinkpads spoiled me.
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by przemoc on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @08:11AM (#6717548)
I know that feeling. Recently I bought new ThinkPad T430 (N1T56PB / 2344-56G). Quite expensive, but good stuff.

My previous ThinkPad R61 (NF55WPB) became defunct a few years ago, because of nVidia NVS140m internal chip failure.

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by tomw1808 on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @11:20AM (#6718637)
a couple of friends of mine also said that you get addicted to that trackpoint, once you are used to it. I don't have one though, but it seems to be like that across multiple types of users and countries as I see :)
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by misterE_ on Monday November 25, 2013 @11:14PM (#6799058)
Anyone have experience with the System76 Gazelle Pro? I run linux as my main OS.
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by veesahni on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @08:25PM (#6722726)
portability, screen quality, good keyboard, reasonable price

Right now my favorite is the ThinkPad X series (eg: X240)

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by hashedge on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @05:12AM (#6716864)
You need to decide on price first.
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by tomw1808 on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @05:16AM (#6716881)
< $3000 and < $2000

would be interesting I guess... Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

> $3000 is only for the MacBook Pro's 15" which I don't consider at the moment...

Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by jackgolding on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @02:57AM (#6716411)
If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be a keyboard because I am a user with fingers
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by essersteven on Thursday November 14, 2013 @06:03PM (#6736372)
Keyboard, size, battery life
Re:Ask HN: New Laptop by davidsmith8900 on Tuesday November 12, 2013 @03:19AM (#6716472)
- If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be (price, speed and memory) because I am a homeless entrepreneur.