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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

#81

Post by monksy »

mixedbit wrote: post #70
monksy wrote: post #21

I'm a huge fan of the Asus Zenbooks for taking it with me. Also, the Sagers for powerful computing. (But it's not as portable). Sagers are gaming laptops. All of the machines have Linux. The HP Workbooks/zbooks have been decent for work.

I own Asus Zenbook for about 6 months and I'm disappointed with the problems it has on Linux. At least with Ubuntu 16 here are things that don't work out of a box (I didn't try Ubuntu 17 or 18, but based on my readings 17 has similar problems): * Dual GPU support, several configurations that I've tried cause the system to hang. For now I'm using nvidia all the time, which drains the battery. * Special keys for things…

The only issue that I'm getting right now is something to do with the Intel driver freezing after sleep. (Just haven't had time to troubleshoot lately)

Brightness works for me. Dual GPU: I only have the intel graphics. Usually Dual GPU requires optimus.

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

#82

Post by elboru »

MrTortoise wrote: post #50
elboru wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Me neither mate, don’t get me wrong I’m not an apple fan, I’m just sharing my experience, if they don’t fix their current models I’ll go for a surface pro when the lifespan of my Mac is over.

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

#83

Post by TheTrotters »

nxc18 wrote: post #52
PascLeRasc wrote: post #17

It'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.

My 2013 rMBP still works very well but I’m nervous about what I’ll do once it breaks or I decide to upgrade. I want to stay with MacBooks but I don’t like their current lineup. I hope they’ll do better in 2019.

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

#84

Post by jolmg »

epicide wrote: post #61
shion wrote: post #2

In the future, you will go out with your keyboard instead of a laptop.

I'm waiting for the day I can just carry my phone, a small keyboard, and some (relatively) small VR glasses.

I got a portable keyboard for this from amazon a couple months ago. It folds to the same dimensions as my phone, except thicker. However, it's got... details. For example, I can't put the keyboard on my lap and type because it will fold. It doesn't have locks to keep it unfolded. They also changed the keyboard layout in a weird way. My number keys are exactly one key to the right, which makes mistakes common when touch typing. I also got '|' next to the Control key. Also, some letter keys are slightly leaner than others which shifts some keys of some rows slightly and causes me to hit 2 keys at once.

Man, back in the days of the Palm, there were better portable keyboards than now. I wish someone made the exact same design but made to work with bluetooth or at least usb.

https://www.surplusandparts.com/images/PALM-PORTABLE-KEYBOAR...

https://regmedia.co.uk/2012/08/03/palm.jpg

OMG. There are adapters for this?

https://hackadaycom.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/palmkeyboard...

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

#85

Post by wintorez »

Piskvorrr wrote: post #33
wintorez wrote: post #26

Earlier 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...

Based on the current trends in keyboard designs, we will be banging on the tables regardless.

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

#86

Post by frnkshin »

T480s is great. (I think I got my config for around $1600 with deals -- i5 8250U, WQHD, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD)

You could opt to get the IPS 1440P panel instead of the stock 1080P TN Panel (I'm not 100% positive if it's TN or IPS). I think 8th gen i5 is sufficient for daily dev work. The laptop keyboard is pretty decent compared to other brands (Dell XPS, HP Spectre, MAC, etc).

It does come with some flaws due to Lenovo's very bad quality control.

When I ordered my T480s, I had to exchange it due to very bad backlight bleeding that was worse than the normal circustances.

In terms of weight, it's pretty light, and is pretty good for travelling.

One of the other drawbacks of the T480s is that there is no official hard-shell casing. Honestly, I have no idea why some Thinkpad users have ideas against having a case on their Thinkpads, but I think it is totally viable to get one, as it would prolong the lifetime of the laptop unless you destroy it pretty hard.

I would opt to get the non-backlit keyboard, as I have 0 use cases when it comes to backlit keyboards. I think it gives a more sticky key feel to it as well.

Overall, I think T480s is a great choice.

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

#87

Post by rajacombinator »

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.

What world are you living in as a “dev” that going to the Apple store and interacting with the Geniuses is a viable option ...

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

#88

Post by [deleted] »

PascLeRasc wrote: post #17

It'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.

[deleted]

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

#89

Post by croo »

sgt wrote: post #55
PascLeRasc wrote: post #17

It'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 gene…

"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"

I did not use Mac yet and would like to try it someday. But I know a quite profane proverb for this thinking: "eat shit, ten million fly cannot be wrong"

I have never seen a developer with Mac in my life - only managers. Developers use highest grade of ThinkPads Dells and HP so consider this to be more of a cultural thing around your country/part of world.

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