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Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

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Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#151

Post by nextos »

flanbiscuit wrote: post #122
drej wrote: post #26

MacOS: check out the latest MacBook Air 13", the one just released - it has a new keyboard, better base disk configuration and it's cheaper than before. Windows: Dell XPS 13 has been the go-to laptop for years, they keep refreshing it, so make sure to get at least the 2019 model (which has a camera on the top of the screen, not the bottom), or ideally the 2020 model, which features a new keyboard and even smaller bez…

I am currently typing this on my mid-2013 11" Macbook Air and it's still going strong. It's too bad that Apple is not making anymore 11" laptops anymore because I think it's exactly what OP wants. I had the same exact criteria when looking for a laptop and I work with similar technologies, but I've also done Android/Kotlin (using Android Studio) and C#/.NET (using full Visual Studio) with this laptop without any prob…

I did most of my PhD on that machine, including tons of coding. With a nice window manager, it's doable. A higher resolution 16:10 screen would improve the experience, though.

It was Linus Torvalds daily driver for some time. I also wiped out OS X and went with Linux, deployed directly as an EFISTUB so no bootloader. Being all-Intel, sans a mediocre Broadcom wireless card, the machine had perfect Linux compatibility.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#152

Post by jsilence »

TapamN wrote: post #79
jsilence wrote: post #70

Maybe the Cosmo Commnicator?

The Gemini might be better for dedicated programming. It's cheaper, and the Cosmo Communicator has terrible stand-by battery life (although usage doesn't significantly affect life). You would miss out on the light-up keyboard, though.

I'd very much prefer the Cosmo because of the backlit keyboard. I guess battery usae is going to improve with future firmware updates. Some progress has already been there if I remember correctly.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#153

Post by Shared404 »

elcomet wrote: post #43
gru wrote: post #12

I love my ASUS ZenBook 13! * The best laptop keyboard I've ever typed on! * Great screen * Weights 1 kg * Solid 8 hours of work on battery

Do you use windows or linux ? If so, which distribution ?

I use popOS on the UX330UN, not the exact same model, but fairly similar. I haven't had very many major issues with pop, but it is the only distro that hasn't given me any.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#154

Post by duxup »

Eldandan wrote: post #35
drej wrote: post #26

MacOS: check out the latest MacBook Air 13", the one just released - it has a new keyboard, better base disk configuration and it's cheaper than before. Windows: Dell XPS 13 has been the go-to laptop for years, they keep refreshing it, so make sure to get at least the 2019 model (which has a camera on the top of the screen, not the bottom), or ideally the 2020 model, which features a new keyboard and even smaller bez…

Oof! 16:10 display in a 13" chassis is tough to beat. Those extra vertical pixels make coding on it that much nicer. Way to go Dell! If only I could get 16:10 in a ThinkPad; I'm a sucker for their keyboards and trackpoint.

Yeah that aspect ratio change is huge.

Honestly, it's way overdue. The widescreen style laptop has some uses ... but it really is a pain for so many things.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#155

Post by ianhowson »

atrilumen wrote: post #115
ianhowson wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I carry a 12" in this role and it's great. Surprisingly long battery life, weighs nothing and, assuming you spend most of your time in an editor, fast enough. Downsides are (a) butterfly keyboard and (b) tiny screen. If you do anything that requires compilation, get something with a CPU fan like the new 13" Air. Get the 16GB model either way.

I loved mine (the original 12"), keyboard and all. Kept it with me all the time in a little sling bag... like a gun in holster. BANG! BANG! Rocked it til it broke, and I'm still missing it 3 years later. I guess I need a new one.

Hah. I'm trying to find a non-dorky way to clip it to my belt. It's my "hey I gotta go to a meeting and take notes but I don't want to mess up my desktop" laptop.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#156

Post by runjake »

skrtskrt wrote: post #148
theluketaylor wrote: post #132

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The $100 core i5 upgrade on the latest Macbook Air in particular. It's a big bang for buck (especially by Apple standards) since it goes from 2 cores to 4 and adds boost clock headroom.

What about the $250 upgrade for i7 - worth it for $150 more than the i5? I'm going to be getting it and I want to have it for 4-5 years as I have with the 2015 MBA, getting the better processor seems like a decent future-proofing. I mostly develop in Python and Go, but I do want to get into Rust and I understand the compilation is demanding.

I would say not worth it. Very minimal ghz boost you probably won't notice and an additional 2MB (6->8mb) of L3 processor cache you probably won't notice.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#157

Post by b3b0p »

leblancfg wrote: post #101
ksec wrote: post #31

iPad Pro 11"? I mean there aren't that many "small" laptop, just reading between the line of your needs. Today most laptop starts at 13". I am not sure if that fit your definition of Small. But the new MacBook Air is pretty decently priced for an Apple product.

I own two iPads, and I really don't think it is there yet in terms of writing any serious code.

I have a MacBook Pro 15", which is too big and actually pretty much resent and hate.

an iPad Pro 11" which I absolutely love, but is abysmal and no where near any good for coding on.

And currently eyeing that MacBook Air with a massive 2TB, 16GB, and i7 option for still less than the lowest end 16" MacBook Pro and just barely more than the stock 13" high end MacBook Pro.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#158

Post by trilinearnz »

cerberusss wrote: post #56
pachico wrote: post #47

I have tried many, believe me. First thing, if it has glossy screen I would quickly discard it - your vision health is worth much more than a pretty picture in Facebook. Having said this, I would go for dell XPS family. They are not cheap but they are very robust. In addition, screen border is almost nonexistent so all it's size is for your screen. Very good Linux support (there is a a version that ships with Ubuntu)…

Recently I ordered a matte screen protector for my MacBook Pro, and it works really well. I would not immediately write off all laptops with glossy screens. (Note I don't have a recommendation for a particular screen protector, I used a local supplier in my tiny little European country).

Seconded. I use one on my Surface Pro 6 and it makes it a substantially more versatile system.

Re: Ask HN: Smallest laptop that is decent for coding?

#159

Post by gigatexal »

ksec wrote: post #135
gigatexal wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

they went back to scissor from butterfly...

But at reduced Key Travel. The new scissor may be more reliable ( we dont have data yet ), but it certainly isn't the old scissors. It doesn't feel anything like it, in fact even with 1mm key travel, 0.3 more than the 0.7mm butterfly, it still felt very "butterfly" to me.

Bummer. The keyboard feels near as close to perfect for me. I just don’t have the 2k to get the laptop that I want right now.
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