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Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

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Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#21

Post by analog31 »

I kind of had the same idea, some time ago, and got an Asus T100 series with Bay Trail, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of flash. So it's one generation behind the devices you're talking about. The keyboard is detachable, so I can use the thing as a tablet.

Battery life is great -- no problem charging it overnight and not worrying about charging during the day.

In my case, I'm not a commercial developer, but I do "scientific programming" using primarily Jupyter/Python. It works comfortably on the little Windows 10 machine, but is noticeably slower.

Perhaps a bigger issue than horsepower for me is the screen size and attachment of the screen to the keyboard. Those things make it hard for me to spend long amounts of time doing really detailed or complicated stuff.

You can always adapt to lower processing power by using simpler tools, but trying to program on a 10" screen may end up being the main issue.

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#22

Post by oops »

What sort of software are you planning to write? e.g. apps, webdev, games, command-line utils, etc.

In what language?

Do you need to be able to code while offline?

An iPad with the keyboard case could work, particularly if you'll always be online. You can just use it as a dumb terminal to ssh into a more powerful remote server.

Another idea is the old MacBook Air 11". It doesn't meet your requirement of being a tablet but it's just as portable and would give you a lot more grunt. You can probably get a refurb or used one fairly cheap. 8GB RAM, SSD, good battery life...

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#23

Post by dagw »

tehwalrus wrote: post #19

Doesn't fold out as a tablet, but my dell XPS 13 is epic. I did swap out the WiFi card, but only because I run Linux, and the broadcom one had crappy driver support.

Dell is releasing a version of the XPS 13 that converts to a tablet. Although I doubt it will classify as cheap

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#25

Post by tronje »

I'd recommend Lenovo laptops. I have a Thinkpad T460s, which is awesome. If you really want the tablet/laptop hybrid, maybe a Thinkpad X1 Yoga, or something from the 'regular' Yoga series will work for you. Yoga-series laptops start at around $500, whereas the premium X1 Yoga starts at something like $1.400 I believe.

Edit: Linux support on Lenovo laptops is pretty good overall, and if you're a Windows person, they ship with that by default. If you're a student, they offer discounts as well, I believe. I got mine from a local seller without an OS and put Linux on it.

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#26

Post by Theodores »

cmdrfred wrote: post #13

On a extreme budget a Chromebook with crouton running Ubuntu has served me well. I use it mostly as a thin client for the server in my basement.

Me too. Delighted with my Acer 14" screen with aluminium body and all day battery, plus the sound only works through HDMI so no YouTube time wasting. 250 quid - bargain.

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#27

Post by LeonM »

Since price is an issue, I'd consider a second hand or refurbished Asus UX ultrabook. They are light, well constructed (aluminium unibody if i'm not mistaken), have a high dpi displays and SSD comes standard. Linux support is supposedly very good out of the box.

If you are planning to run IntelliJ (or other JetBrains IDE's for that matter) I'd go for at least 8GB or memory though.

I wouldn't recommend running Android or other mobile oriented OS's for development, getting the tools up and running will be a pain.

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#28

Post by mergesortsalad »

I've got a Dell XPS 12 and can only recommend getting an Ultrabook like this one.

Yeah it is expensive and yeah it definitely had its quirks in the beginning. However performance is crazy, I'll get easily 6hrs+ battery life on programming workload (in energy saving mode of course).

I have no experience with passively cooled Core M processors or the cheapo tablets you are currently considering, but having a full Intel CPU inside this horse is definitely noticeable.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#29

Post by drKarl »

tronje wrote: post #25

I'd recommend Lenovo laptops. I have a Thinkpad T460s, which is awesome. If you really want the tablet/laptop hybrid, maybe a Thinkpad X1 Yoga, or something from the 'regular' Yoga series will work for you. Yoga-series laptops start at around $500, whereas the premium X1 Yoga starts at something like $1.400 I believe. Edit: Linux support on Lenovo laptops is pretty good overall, and if you're a Windows person, they s…

I saw the Yoga, but I wanted to spend around $250 or less on this. I have 2 laptops and a desktop which are great for programming, but I wouldn't want to risk bringing an expensive laptop to this trip, I want something portable and cheap in case I get robbed or something, with the convenience of a tablet when I just need to read an ebook or browse some webs, and the ability to do more advanced stuff with a keyboard as a desktop, even programming.

Re: Ask HN: Ultrabook for programming?

#30

Post by ptero »

Consider getting a good used system and budget for a new battery -- battery life on used laptops is a (loaded) coin toss. If you are price conscious you will likely get a better value than from a cheaper new one.

On choosing the model for a portable -- IMO the #1 goal is to get one with physical characteristics that work for you (size, weight, monitor, keyboard, ability to be a tablet, etc.). CPU/Memory/storage is a very distant second. Go to a store and hold many models in your hands. If you work next to other techies, ask to see their travel computer option; ask for advice. This will likely give you a lot of honest info and demos.

Extra 25% of CPU speed will get you little benefit if your ultrabook is not comfortable for you to work on.

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