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Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

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Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#61

Post by kbob »

a-dub wrote: post #38
chaz6 wrote: post #9

High up my list is repairability, which is why I am a big fan of the Framework laptop.

i've seen all the hype but i have to ask: what is replaceable on these that you can't replace on a thinkpad t/pxx? (or p1)

Here are the parts they're selling. (A lot of them are "coming soon", though.) https://frame.work/marketplace

I'm not familiar with current ThinkPads.

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#62

Post by qwerty456127 »

utucuro wrote: post #57
qwerty456127 wrote: post #18

> two fast external storage ports At least 4 USB ports (2-3 USB-B, 1-2 USB-C). At least one of them full USB-4 Thunderbolt unless the computer is very cheap. 100% USB-C with no USB-B is a serious annoyance. Lack of a head-set jack is an extreme annoyance I would only excuse if the computer is really great otherwise. Built-in Ethernet port is very nice to have but not necessary. Built-in SD card reader is also very ni…

Manufacturers probably prefer extra USB ports to a dedicated SD slot since it occupies less internal space than an SD slot and is not single purpose.

Doesn't seem so to me. They just rarely put more than 3 USB ports and there doesn't seem to be any obvious correlation between the number and lack/presence of the SD port.

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#63

Post by kbob »

qwerty456127 wrote: post #49
legacynl wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Does this even exist? What has your experience been with bt? I have the cheapest bt-dongle I could find (4 euros) and it never failed me and is super solid.

Connection breaks regularly (less often with more expensive headphones). Even when using an expensive Creative Bluetooth audio dongle. Samsung Android phone built-in breaks less often but in many cases the whole BlueTooth stack crashes. Untolerable sound distortions start occuring every now and then. Even under Windows on a new EliteBook with reasonably expensive earphones. Often also with the smartphone when I jog i…

Are you in a crowded office with lots of Bluetooth devices? At my house, Bluetooth is rock solid up to 10 meters. But there are only a handful of devices in the house, and the neighbors are far away.

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#64

Post by tendencydriven »

ajvs wrote: post #3

Thunderbolt 4, especially since I use an eGPU to turn my laptop into a gaming machine.

I often wonder about the experience of using an eGPU. What are the tradeoffs? I travel a bit for work now and I'd like to have a more mobile gaming setup.

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#65

Post by tendencydriven »

yread wrote: post #51

I just bought a laptop for the first time in 10 years or so and I've spent quite some time and effort looking for it (bought 4 laptops, sent them all back and bought a 5th one). My priorities were - best keyboard possible - good layout you can get used to (ANSI vs ISO, dedicated pgup, pgdn, home end keys not too far from each other and arrow keys), good tactile feedback - case stability - good touchpad. I prefer phys…

What do you mean by nose cam? I initially thought you meant "no noise" but you mention nose twice so I'm curious.

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#67

Post by chenxiaolong »

1. 120Hz screen with a HIDPI resolution. 60Hz feels very stuttery after using 120Hz on my phone/tablet/desktop.

2. S3 suspend or at least a good S0ix implementation.

3. Good support for replacing UEFI Secure Boot keys.

4. No numpad so that the keyboard is centered.

5. Absolutely no coil whine. My Dell XPS 9560 had this since day 1, while my work MacBook Pro and Lenovo P1 developed it over time.

6. Biggest battery possible. I don't care about charging time or weight.

7. Good Linux support (including firmware updates via LVFS).

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#68

Post by BadJo0Jo0 »

tendencydriven wrote: post #65
yread wrote: post #51

I just bought a laptop for the first time in 10 years or so and I've spent quite some time and effort looking for it (bought 4 laptops, sent them all back and bought a 5th one). My priorities were - best keyboard possible - good layout you can get used to (ANSI vs ISO, dedicated pgup, pgdn, home end keys not too far from each other and arrow keys), good tactile feedback - case stability - good touchpad. I prefer phys…

What do you mean by nose cam? I initially thought you meant "no noise" but you mention nose twice so I'm curious.

Guessing he means laptops where the camera is below the display and is pointing up at your nose when in use

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#69

Post by codegeek »

random_kris wrote: post #2

M1 MacBook pro no competition

Does M1 come with a 15 inch like the Macbook Pro Retina Mid 2014 ? I am interested in M1 but my current Macbook Pro runs like butter and really not interested in replacing it until something much better comes along.

Re: Ask HN: What does one look for in a laptop these days?

#70

Post by teleforce »

olalonde wrote: post #6

Why do you prefer SIM over WiFi? Almost everywhere I've been it's been slower and more expensive than WiFi.

Not if you're in Taiwan, WiFi is considered inferior to 4G LTE due to the latter extensive coverage and reliable connectivity. You can even get more than 300 Mbps internet access with 4G on a moving train!
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