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Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development

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Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development

#42

Post by epicide »

dragosmocrii wrote: post #20
nickbauman wrote: post #8

As much as I like to bang on Apple for various and sundry reasons I go back to Apple every time because I can walk into any apple store in the world and I can get the thing serviced on the spot, often for free, but as a dev, time is money and I need something sorted right away. This is what you're paying extra for when you buy a mac. Make no mistake.

The way I look at it, is maybe you shouldn't have to service your Mac so often (often is a keyword in your coment)? Given the premium you pay for a "reliable" product

I think the "often" is more that they often will waive repair fees for people, not that they've personally needed a single device repaired often.

Not that Apple doesn't have issues, but they do tend to be on the low side. When they do have them, they are usually good about fixing it, as well.

The keyboard thing is disappointing but it sounds like they flew too close to the sun and are working on it.

The other big one in recent memory are the iPhone 6's bending. The real issue was that they didn't have a good company-wide policy for stores to follow, so it was often down to how nice the manager of the store felt that day.

Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development

#43

Post by mpg515 »

I don't buy new computers anymore. I only buy computers that are a few years old. The last one I purchased was a Thinkpad T420s with the wide screen, maxed out the RAM, popped in an SSD, and for under $500. Works like a charm. Linux gives me no major problems.

If I was going to buy another Mac, it would probably be a 2015ish 13" MBP. I currently have an 11" 2012 Air that is perfectly fine for the type of development I do and shows only minor signs of impending failure. I would def get another one of these as well.

Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development

#44

Post by elboru »

nickbauman wrote: post #8

As much as I like to bang on Apple for various and sundry reasons I go back to Apple every time because I can walk into any apple store in the world and I can get the thing serviced on the spot, often for free, but as a dev, time is money and I need something sorted right away. This is what you're paying extra for when you buy a mac. Make no mistake.

Plus it rarely needs any service at all, well at least that's true for old models (I don't know about new models). I bought my first MacBook Pro in 2013 and it's still running just like the first day, it has been an amazing experience. I used to be the kind of guy who would say "Why would you buy a overpriced Mac if I can have the same specs for half the price in an Acer?". Then in 2013 I wanted to buy a SSD Laptop, at that time Windows laptops with SSD had similar prices to the MacBooks, so I just give it a try, and oh man, was it worth it, this is the first time a gadget of mine lasts this long with little to none visible aging signs anywhere.

Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development

#45

Post by detaro »

nickbauman wrote: post #8

As much as I like to bang on Apple for various and sundry reasons I go back to Apple every time because I can walk into any apple store in the world and I can get the thing serviced on the spot, often for free, but as a dev, time is money and I need something sorted right away. This is what you're paying extra for when you buy a mac. Make no mistake.

For anything that's not a total device failure (which I admittedly never had) the "place a service call and a few days later they come visit you to fix it" of other professional laptops is the better experience though IMHO, although it really depends on where you live (quality of on-site support networks, distance to Apple store as the alternative)

Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development

#49

Post by tcoff91 »

amelius wrote: post #4

From an ergonomic viewpoint, the best laptop is no laptop at all, but instead use a desktop computer.

I agree and never do serious work on a laptop, but some require mobility. I simply dock my laptop and use it as my desktop because occasionally I need mobility.

Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development

#50

Post by MrTortoise »

elboru wrote: post #44
nickbauman wrote: post #8

As much as I like to bang on Apple for various and sundry reasons I go back to Apple every time because I can walk into any apple store in the world and I can get the thing serviced on the spot, often for free, but as a dev, time is money and I need something sorted right away. This is what you're paying extra for when you buy a mac. Make no mistake.

Plus it rarely needs any service at all, well at least that's true for old models (I don't know about new models). I bought my first MacBook Pro in 2013 and it's still running just like the first day, it has been an amazing experience. I used to be the kind of guy who would say "Why would you buy a overpriced Mac if I can have the same specs for half the price in an Acer?". Then in 2013 I wanted to buy a SSD Laptop,…

you see i have never had to get a laptop serviced ... but then i don't buy apple.
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