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Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
51–60 of 100 posts
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#52It'd have to be a 2015 Retina Macbook Pro for me. Magsafe charging is as robust as it gets. Not too heavy but still can be configured with plenty of CPU/RAM/SSD. I've dropped my 2014 plenty of times and it's just got a few scratches around the aluminium but there's no hinge or port damage.
My 2014 rMBP shit the bed recently. Don’t feel comfortable buying any of the newer MacBooks (I hate mine at work).
Apple should make a MacBook Pro SE; old form, updated internals.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#53Earlier quoted context omitted.
In the future, you will go out with a headset and a pair of gloves instead of your keyboard.
The future, as seen from early 1990s; banging your fingers into the table is somewhat underwhelming compared to the response of a keyboard. If the gloves could fix that with tactile feedback...
I'd hate to be an early adopter for gloves that presumably stimulate nerves in your fingers with electricity or something.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#54As 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've been using mine for the past 5 years without needing any service at all, let's hope Apple learns from its latest mistakes in their newer models.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#55It'd have to be a 2015 Retina Macbook Pro for me. Magsafe charging is as robust as it gets. Not too heavy but still can be configured with plenty of CPU/RAM/SSD. I've dropped my 2014 plenty of times and it's just got a few scratches around the aluminium but there's no hinge or port damage.
Personally, I feel nothing beats a Mac for overall software development, especially if you are a full stack developer and you like to be able to use all kinds of tools if need be.
I see a lot of people like the ThinkPads and I'm sure they are great, but the secret sauce is not just the machine, but the OS, and macOS is still glorious (it's a UNIX desktop OS!)
I'm not going to tell anyone they must use a Mac, but generally if I see a room full of developers, 90% of them will have Macs. Surely that says something.
Same thing with students. Maybe it's different in other countries, but I think this is the norm in both the US and Europe at the very least.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#56It'd have to be a 2015 Retina Macbook Pro for me. Magsafe charging is as robust as it gets. Not too heavy but still can be configured with plenty of CPU/RAM/SSD. I've dropped my 2014 plenty of times and it's just got a few scratches around the aluminium but there's no hinge or port damage.
I really really wish they would keep the outer hardware of the 2015 and make it more powerful going forward. If they embrace that Macbooks are the standard for a lot of development, and make a "developer-book", I would be ecstatic! In the meantime I will use my 2015 retina.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#57From an ergonomic viewpoint, the best laptop is no laptop at all, but instead use a desktop computer.
Glad I'm not the only one who finds working on a laptop constraining. I have two monitors on my desk and wish I had room for a third. I have a linux laptop for mobility purposes but when I am working in the office I use the desktop.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#58From an ergonomic viewpoint, the best laptop is no laptop at all, but instead use a desktop computer.
While sitting by it, perhaps. But using my laptop causes me to walk around, sitting at my desk, in a café, in soft chairs outside the office etc., which is an ergonomical win.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#59The perfect thing you are looking for is a Thinkpad of the T4XX series (even if it seems you want to get away from Lenovo). Why? Not because nothing ever breaks - but because they can always be repaired and every part is available for replacement at multiple outlets (eg Amazon). All parts are mounted on a big magnesium Chassis - and you will find out why this is a good thing if you ever work on it. I personally own a X240 and hope I can use it for many years. Had to replace the keyboard (Beer...), but it was doable. Repairing the Samsung I had before could become a bigger issue because of the low material quality.
Re: Ask HN: Best robust laptop for everyday software development
#60I currently have three battle tested favorites: The Dell XPS 15, the System76 Galago Pro and the ThinkPad T470s. They are all robust, have great hardware, good keyboards (ThinkPad's still my favorite though) and excellent Linux support.