Live data from Hacker News

Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

news.ycombinator.com

81–90 of 109 posts

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

:\ I don't want Mac OS X because of the appearance. I want it because: My 3d acceleration will always work. My sound will always work. My resolution will display properly. Shit won't break FREQUENTLY when I upgrade software. Shit won't break FREQUENTLY when I upgrade "os" versions. There's non-trash software available for Mac OS X. (Textmate, darkroom, etc) Media will playback without complaint, hassle, or copyright-…

My 3d acceleration will always work. My sound will always work. My resolution will display properly. Shit won't break FREQUENTLY when I upgrade software. Shit won't break FREQUENTLY when I upgrade "os" versions. There's non-trash software available for Mac OS X. (Textmate, darkroom, etc) Media will playback without complaint, hassle, or copyright-related zealotry. If I plug in a second monitor, it will just work. No…

Well, that's my current situation, I'm using Windows right now. (Installing Windows 7 as we speak)

However, I happen to rather like GNU tools and the unix-style shell environment (bash).

Windows doesn't offer either, and it isn't conducive to contributing my time to an open source project either.

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Depending on timelines - don't forget that snow-leopard is coming out soon... Not sure if it's worth the extra couple of months waiting?

I can wait. If I do, I'll def. have the money for a macbook/macbook pro outright.

Wow...then just WAIT if you can, buy what you want, and don't start huge threads on news.yc that essentially become macvangelist madness.

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey hey hey, you spend $2k on a REALLY nice PC, and install Ubuntu via wubi for ZERO driver problems (granted you need to install windows beforehand but that doesn't look troublesome since you play eve online). Who said macbook was the only way to go over 1k? ever read zed shaw's horror story? yeah.

Another question, gherlein's suggestion actually sounded really good. What makes over $1000 automatically a macbook? Is there something about over $1000 PCs that you can't stand? Does the fact that the XPS can come with preinstalled linux (meaning minimal driver issues as dell probably extensively tested it to work) not help? 1920 res (meaning good gfx), dvd burner, 4gb ram, great processor, solid support (I will vou…

I want a unix-based OS that isn't going to waste gobs of my time on hardware/software-package related issues. Mac OS X is the only one that fits the bill.

Failing that, it makes me nauseous thinking of paying over 1k for hardware that is as poorly constructed and ugly as most PC laptops tend to be.

Exception: Sony VAIOs. Pretty little thangs, and the predominance of intel hardware makes me think they're Linux compatible. If I can configure a sharp looking VAIO with dedicated graphics for under 1k, she's mine.

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My 3d acceleration will always work. My sound will always work. My resolution will display properly. Shit won't break FREQUENTLY when I upgrade software. Shit won't break FREQUENTLY when I upgrade "os" versions. There's non-trash software available for Mac OS X. (Textmate, darkroom, etc) Media will playback without complaint, hassle, or copyright-related zealotry. If I plug in a second monitor, it will just work. No…

Well, that's my current situation, I'm using Windows right now. (Installing Windows 7 as we speak) However, I happen to rather like GNU tools and the unix-style shell environment (bash). Windows doesn't offer either, and it isn't conducive to contributing my time to an open source project either.

Question: So if you get a mac, are you going to install windows on it also?

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Another question, gherlein's suggestion actually sounded really good. What makes over $1000 automatically a macbook? Is there something about over $1000 PCs that you can't stand? Does the fact that the XPS can come with preinstalled linux (meaning minimal driver issues as dell probably extensively tested it to work) not help? 1920 res (meaning good gfx), dvd burner, 4gb ram, great processor, solid support (I will vou…

I want a unix-based OS that isn't going to waste gobs of my time on hardware/software-package related issues. Mac OS X is the only one that fits the bill. Failing that, it makes me nauseous thinking of paying over 1k for hardware that is as poorly constructed and ugly as most PC laptops tend to be. Exception: Sony VAIOs. Pretty little thangs, and the predominance of intel hardware makes me think they're Linux compati…

Hm, you probably could have simplified your original post to:

"I want a mac, but anyone have suggestions for decent PCs under 1k with DVD burners?"

and then when your karma hit 150, you could start a poll for "how many people use macs" like you asked --

...instead of a tirade about electrocuting batteries and whatever the heck else you talked about cause mix a mac survey with computer suggestions and you're looking for a mess.

And seriously, VAIOs? You might as well go for a Mac. I mean, all that tells me is that you care about how your lappy looks and not about what it does. Get a Sager for god's sake. you can configure one for about 1k and it will run better and last longer than any silly overpriced vaio out there. I mean if you're looking for 1k computers, you should chuck the word vaio out the window.

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#86

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I want a unix-based OS that isn't going to waste gobs of my time on hardware/software-package related issues. Mac OS X is the only one that fits the bill. Failing that, it makes me nauseous thinking of paying over 1k for hardware that is as poorly constructed and ugly as most PC laptops tend to be. Exception: Sony VAIOs. Pretty little thangs, and the predominance of intel hardware makes me think they're Linux compati…

Hm, you probably could have simplified your original post to: "I want a mac, but anyone have suggestions for decent PCs under 1k with DVD burners?" and then when your karma hit 150, you could start a poll for "how many people use macs" like you asked -- ...instead of a tirade about electrocuting batteries and whatever the heck else you talked about cause mix a mac survey with computer suggestions and you're looking f…

I'll check out sager immediately.

It's not the looks so much as I hate it when plastic creaks. It squicks me out.

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I want a unix-based OS that isn't going to waste gobs of my time on hardware/software-package related issues. Mac OS X is the only one that fits the bill. Failing that, it makes me nauseous thinking of paying over 1k for hardware that is as poorly constructed and ugly as most PC laptops tend to be. Exception: Sony VAIOs. Pretty little thangs, and the predominance of intel hardware makes me think they're Linux compati…

Hm, you probably could have simplified your original post to: "I want a mac, but anyone have suggestions for decent PCs under 1k with DVD burners?" and then when your karma hit 150, you could start a poll for "how many people use macs" like you asked -- ...instead of a tirade about electrocuting batteries and whatever the heck else you talked about cause mix a mac survey with computer suggestions and you're looking f…

I configured a rather nice 15.4" from Sager with 1920x1200, HDMI out, and a 9800M, but christ almighty it's 1.8k

The sagers look (reviews back this up) sturdy though.

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#88
post #42

I just picked up a Sager NP7350 a few weeks ago, in part because Sager resellers like PC Torque or Xotic PC will sell you a laptop without a Windows license (and I'm going to use it entirely with Linux). $1750 including 13" screen with LED backlight, and one of those Intel solid-state disks. Believe the hype, they are ridiculously fast. The machine is dead silent when the unfortunately loud fan isn't running. Ubuntu…

I just started poking around and checking out some of the Sager laptops. Oddly enough, taking from the reviews, they seem to be the only well built laptops anymore. I'm poking around the 12 and 13". If I do the SSD, I'll but it separately, they're way overpriced if you get them from a reseller. That and I'm holding out for the inevitable price-drop from SanDisk and their SSDs.

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#89

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just explained that my Dell regularly shocks me because of the shoddy construction and you recommend another one? :( Also: yes the M1330 is okay, and if you get it refurb/on-sale the dedicated graphics model is respectable, but bleurgh. Dell's build-quality makes me sick to my stomach.

... my Dell regularly shocks me ... Shut the fuck up. I bet you're lying your ass off. Computers are designed not to shock people. This is why I'm starting to steer towards enterprise as opposed to consumer market: making products for regular folks just isn't worth it because of little lying bitches like you.

I'm not lying, the battery contacts are exposed and the circuits takes a shine to me here and there. If I had a camcorder I'd record it arcing into shit. Sometimes the shit it arcs into is me. It's an Inspiron 600m, I bought it $550, the fuck you want?

Re: Laptop of choice for a Programmer, Need Help

#90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

... my Dell regularly shocks me ... Shut the fuck up. I bet you're lying your ass off. Computers are designed not to shock people. This is why I'm starting to steer towards enterprise as opposed to consumer market: making products for regular folks just isn't worth it because of little lying bitches like you.

Whoa there calm down he's probably just over-exaggerating some small problem. We get the point.

It's a small problem in the grand scheme of things, but the battery contacts are exposed and they do arc into me, and it is painful.

Am I suing? hahahah, fuck no. That shit is funny as hell more than anything, I don't like dozing off to a movie in bed with the laptop...shifting a leg, then getting woke the fuck up.

Post reply on HN