Ask HN: Is there a developer laptop that does not suck and is not a Mac in 2022?

I also run a startup from it, wherein it's my software development machine when I don't feel like sitting at my desktop. It would need to be flawless in order to accomplish that as I can't really tolerate any downtime due to computer issues especially when I have a fully functioning high-end desktop, and flawless it has been. In fact, this is the first laptop that doesn't make me miss my desktop from being too slow or otherwise not performing the way I'd like.

Charging works regardless of the laptop being on or off, it performs beyond my expectations with no thermal issues while pushing the processor to its limit (something other laptops have always failed at for me), and the various expansion cards all work very well regardless of what configuration they're in. Overall, I've been regarding it as one of the best purchases I've made recently. After a month of ownership and using it over my desktop, I can honestly say that I picked the right laptop. I would lambaste the laptop if it had issues, but I can't think of one time over the past month where it's been problematic.

This doesn't even touch on the fact that if I were to have an issue, Framework's support has seemed to be very responsive based on others' reports (especially for a startup), and the fact that I can continue to use the laptop or even just have it in my possession while whichever replacement part is being shipped out. This alone would make me choose this laptop over any other.

I terribly want to try out a system76 computer, but haven't had the chance yet.

If you prefer to purchase from a more mature company, check out Fujitso laptops - https://www.fujitsu.com/global/products/computing/pc/noteboo...

I use a top of the line XPS for several years, and there were two common user-fixes that really improved this heat issue: adding a thermal transfer pad between a couple of the power-related chips and the case, and running a CPU voltage tool to reduce the voltage a bit. Undervolting really made a huge difference, including making the laptop overall faster. The stupid thing, even in a good environment, would go into heat-reduction mode after a few seconds of heavy load, cutting the clock speeds in half. But just by reducing the CPU voltage a few tenths of a volt, the heat was much lower and the CPU almost never throttled. Even so, the fans were loud and usually on.

On paper it looked like a phenomenal laptop. In actual use, it was very unpleasant.

In contrast, my M1 Air has been a dream. I'm trying to think of a negative about it, but honestly I can't think of anything. I've been using it most of every day for a year, on a desk with a big monitor as well as in several places around the world. Even the 16GB RAM limitation has rarely been an issue (except occasionally with my last client that was deeply in love with Docker... 8 running containers plus JetBrains IDEs and of course Firefox with a couple dozen tabs does eventually slow the laptop a bit, but only occasonally).

The new M2 with 24GB will be perfect, especially with the slightly brighter screen for those beachside moments ;)

Everyone can probably agree that a desktop is better if you have the space, don't need to move it and doesn't mind a bit higer power consumption. A laptop has some clear usecases to.

Desktop for work, laptop for when I travel and might have to work.