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 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 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 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 :)
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."
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?
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.
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.
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.
Made in Japan.
Can't beat that, unless you forced to live in Mac world.
My previous ThinkPad R61 (NF55WPB) became defunct a few years ago, because of nVidia NVS140m internal chip failure.
Right now my favorite is the ThinkPad X series (eg: X240)
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...