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Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

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Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#51

Post by parimm »

sampo wrote: post #25

The most recent Lenovo T4x0 or T4x0s (a thinner version) that you can afford. Add more memory and a larger ssd disk as needed. There is nothing wrong with used 3-4 years old machines. Processor power hasn't increased much. Just check the screen resolution, and factor in the extra cost if you need to add memory and swap the ssd disk. The 440 series from 3 years ago didn't have physically separate mouse buttons on the…

Also consider the following thinkpads

T5x0 - for a 15" Laptop

X2x0 - for 12" Laptops ( avoid the X2x0s)

W520, w530, P50, P51 - Desktop replacements 15" size

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#52

Post by feminist17 »

grecy wrote: post #24

I have a 2012 13" MacBookAir that I have used for tens of thousands of hours. With 8GB of RAM it handles most things, even 1080p footage in Final Cut Pro. I did just put a new battery in it. Other than that it has been flawless, and I bet they are cheap now.

Have one roughly the same age and I still use it all the time at home. Run out of space a lot, though; 128GB is far too small.

If there were a pro with an SDXC reader, headphone jack, bar, dedicated function keys, and 32 GB memory, I'd get that.

The main problem I have with the macbook/air/pro is the edge not being rounded and digging into my wrists.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#53

Post by parimm »

feminist17 wrote: post #50
iwintermute wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

cheap lenovos have horrendous lcd with poor resolution and horrible view angles

Also: Insecure: http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/security-failings-demonstrate-a... Some fry your lap: https://www.google.com/search?q=lenovo+hot

>Insecure

None of the listed issues were applicable for the laptops that OP recommended

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#54

Post by vijayr »

kk_cz wrote: post #3

It's hard to answer, unless you define the budget, but I'd say refurbished ThinkPad T420 (Last model to has decent keyboard). Put some RAM & SSD inside and you have nicely built and powerful machine.

Those who have experience buying used laptops - where do you buy from (other than Apple stores)? If not from standard stores, are there any standard tests you do to make sure of the specs etc?

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#55

Post by Raed667 »

dirktheman wrote: post #47
Raed667 wrote: post #20

I'm going to use this thread as I'm in the same situation: - Budget 1000 euros - Work: Mostly front-end but also some Node/PHP/Java and IDEs - Location : France

A refurbished 13" MBP Retina should work just fine! I bought it new in 2012 and it's performing just as perfect as the day I bought it.

Do you run any heavy IDEs on it? WebStorm? Eclipse etc? How does it handle 100x tabs in Chrome ?

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#56

Post by lentil_soup »

anc84 wrote: post #17

Define budget... Buy a refurbished or exhibition model, those are up to half-price for state of the art devices with no or minor damage. Also, it might be helpful to know which local market you are on. In Germany I could point you to several stores.

I'd be interested in German stores if you can provide the info :)

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#57

Post by dirktheman »

Raed667 wrote: post #55
dirktheman wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A refurbished 13" MBP Retina should work just fine! I bought it new in 2012 and it's performing just as perfect as the day I bought it.

Do you run any heavy IDEs on it? WebStorm? Eclipse etc? How does it handle 100x tabs in Chrome ?

No heavy IDEs here, but I am known as a prolific tabs opener. The internal fans will spin up and the machine gets too hot to hold comfortably on your lap. No issues with responsiveness or speed, though.

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#58

Post by anc84 »

lentil_soup wrote: post #56
anc84 wrote: post #17

Define budget... Buy a refurbished or exhibition model, those are up to half-price for state of the art devices with no or minor damage. Also, it might be helpful to know which local market you are on. In Germany I could point you to several stores.

I'd be interested in German stores if you can provide the info :)

http://lapstore.de/ (happy customer)

https://www.nbwn.de/ (happy customer)

https://www.heinzsoft-shop.de/ (happy customer)

https://www.luxnote-hannover.de/

http://thinkspot.de/

https://ok2.de/Gebrauchtgeraete:::42.html

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#59

Post by cVwEq »

sampo wrote: post #25

The most recent Lenovo T4x0 or T4x0s (a thinner version) that you can afford. Add more memory and a larger ssd disk as needed. There is nothing wrong with used 3-4 years old machines. Processor power hasn't increased much. Just check the screen resolution, and factor in the extra cost if you need to add memory and swap the ssd disk. The 440 series from 3 years ago didn't have physically separate mouse buttons on the…

I'm surprised that so many on HN recommend Lenovo laptops considering the robust privacy / security concerns shared amongst us.

For years, the Chinese government has owned a substantial portion of Lenovo (28% as of 2006[1]). It's no secret that the Chinese government attempts to hack US firms[2].

Although I have no direct evidence that the Chinese government has installed backdoors/monitoring/etc. into Lenovo laptop hardware, I think there is much circumstantial evidence to warrant serious concerns. So much so that the U.S. government is restricting access to Lenovo computers[3].

I'm at a place with Lenovo laptops that I was with Kaspersky anti-virus[4]. Although it might arguably be easier to install nefarious stuff into software, why take chances with your hardware?

[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4997288.stm [2] http://www.businessinsider.com/china-hackers-us-companies-gi... [3] http://freebeacon.com/national-security/military-warns-chine... [4] https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2017-09-14/con...

Re: Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

#60

Post by falcolas »

grecy wrote: post #24

I have a 2012 13" MacBookAir that I have used for tens of thousands of hours. With 8GB of RAM it handles most things, even 1080p footage in Final Cut Pro. I did just put a new battery in it. Other than that it has been flawless, and I bet they are cheap now.

I have one of these (two years newer) as well, but two things are pushing me towards an upgrade: the lack of support for multiple external monitors, and the lack of 4k support.

The somewhat anemic processor can be a concern as well. It in indeed capable of editing movies, but any major conversion jobs can take a lunch break to complete.

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