Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#251

Post by 147 » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:37 PM UTC

tootie wrote: post #87

Not a hardware req, but I've recently become quite enamored with Win 10 + WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) after years of using a Mac. WSL lets you run a lightweight Linux shell (Ubuntu, SUSE, Kali are supported atm) without a VM. It's purely for command-line purposes, no X, but that's fine for me. Windows for UI, then I can run all my bash in the Ubuntu shell almost seamlessly. You can run the shell directly from s…

I just thought of another question. What's everybody's workflow like on windows with WSL? If I use an editor like vscode then wouldn't I need the packages for linting, etc. on windows when I'm editing code in the WSL filesystem?

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#252

Post by wodenokoto » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:37 PM UTC

> Performance of the computer is quite important for me. I'm an Android developer, compilation of a big project I'm working on takes enormous amount of RAM and CPU nowadays (with new Android Studio it's even worse).

Why not get a stationary as your compilation / unit test server and a smaller, cheaper, more nimble laptop for out and about?

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#253

Post by shazow » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:38 PM UTC

foepys wrote: post #212

shazow wrote: post #89

I switched from a 2014 13" Retina MBP to a 2018 Thinkpad X1 Carbon (6th gen) and I'm extremely happy with it. https://www.notebookcheck.net/Lenovo-ThinkPad-X1-Carbon-2018... is the most objective/detailed review I've seen. One of my biggest anxieties was the fear of "upgrading" to an inferior device after a decade of being on Apple devices. Thankfully, that has not been the case. - The 14" WQHD HDR screen is remarkab…

> I added a 4 year warranty for $140 USD, fair bit cheaper than Apple's. You don't get the Genius Bar experience but the Thinkpad brand is strong world-wide and there are certified local repair centres pretty much everywhere. When I bought a Lenovo Thinkpad T420 years ago, it came with a 3 years on-site warranty included, extendable to 4 years for a small fee. On-site as in "a technician will come on the next busines…

I think the included warranty varies by country. Some countries have required minimums for warranties. In Canada, it comes with a 1-year warranty. The 4 year I bought was a depot warranty (aka take it to the nearest certified repair center or mail it in). The premium "we'll come fix it" warranty does exist but it's like 50-80% more expensive I think. I didn't feel the need for it.

In fact, I probably wouldn't have gotten the extended warranty at all if it wasn't so cheap. I feel comfortable with the build quality of the device that I'd risk it and possibly do repairs myself.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#254

Post by shazow » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:39 PM UTC

michaelangerman wrote: post #140

shazow wrote: post #109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're very welcome!

What version of Linux ? Thanks...

I'm currently running Arch. Before that I was working on a custom kernel config with Gentoo but my timebox for that has elapsed. :)

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#255

Post by ianai » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:41 PM UTC

tootie wrote: post #211

ianai wrote: post #139

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With frequent bad reports regarding windows hardware, what’s the hardware to run wsl? I really did not like my experience with the XPS13

It's a thin compatibility layer like git bash, not a VM. Super lightweight.

I meant which laptops are popular. Ie non-horrible touchpad, screen, other issues.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#256

Post by theflagbug » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:41 PM UTC

013a wrote: post #167

Haven't seen these two suggested: The Razer Blade is a pretty excellent machine. Its gaming focused, which surfaces a little bit in their design language, but all that really means is more beefy specs. The Stealth model in particular might be a great choice, or you can up-market. I've heard nothing but great things about it. The Surface devices are also an expensive but excellent choice. They do suffer in that I don'…

I have a late-2016 Razer Blade and every time I compile something the fans spin up to aircraft-turbine levels of noise, it's ridiculous. I'm currently thinking of throwing the whole thing out and getting a Macbook Pro instead, because it's basically the loudest thing in our office.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#257

Post by jaxn » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:41 PM UTC

tootie wrote: post #87

Not a hardware req, but I've recently become quite enamored with Win 10 + WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) after years of using a Mac. WSL lets you run a lightweight Linux shell (Ubuntu, SUSE, Kali are supported atm) without a VM. It's purely for command-line purposes, no X, but that's fine for me. Windows for UI, then I can run all my bash in the Ubuntu shell almost seamlessly. You can run the shell directly from s…

I'll add a hardware rec to the Win10/WSL stack: the Microsoft Surface Book 2.

The keyboard is great, screen is beautiful, battery life is great. It even has a magnetic power connector similar to the old MBPs. I don't use it as a tablet much, but I do use the touch screen a fair amount.

It wasn't cheap, but neither is a MBP.

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#258

Post by theyinwhy » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:43 PM UTC

alexdeloy wrote: post #128

I'm sticking to the XPS family for years now and a - for me very important - thing that rarely gets mentioned is the stunning support you can book with the machine. It's usually something around EUR 200-250 for 4-5 years and you'll get a worldwide coverage on the next business day, no matter what. I had issues with my current XPS in a beach house in Portugal earlier last year due to the sand being everywhere in the f…

Ok but how is the Linux support?

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#259

Post by smoyer » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:43 PM UTC

CoffeeOnWrite wrote: post #194

I’m on my 4th Thinkpad T-series - T520, T530, T450s, T460s - each one was a a winner. I ditched the T5XX series when they borked the keyboard layout by adding a numpad. Used to run Ubuntu, now I run Debian, stable or testing depending on point in release cycle at install time. I plan to take another look at Ubuntu now that they gave up on Unity. A coworker is happily on the T470s (first USB-C in the series). I always…

I'm a huge fan of the X1 Carbon

Re: Ask HN: Are there any reasonable alternatives to MacBook Pro for developer?

#260

Post by [deleted] » Sun, Apr 08, 2018, 6:45 PM UTC

DoofusOfDeath wrote: post #146

jnwatson wrote: post #133

I recent got a 15 inch Dell Precision. I’m running a recent Ubuntu. I don’t recommend. It constantly throttles the CPI. I get lots of PCIe recoverable errors. The USB bus runs out of available throughout. Plugging anything Displaylink is a disaster. The camera/microphone is below the screen, which sucks more than I expected. It takes 2 hands to open the laptop. It is possible to plug in the power supply such that com…

Interesting. I've purchased two batches of Mobile Precisions in the past: one about 8 years ago, and another about 4 years ago. (Sorry, I can't remember the particular models.) Both of them had really good Ubuntu compatibility.

[deleted]