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Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

theserverside.com

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Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#31

Post by jjcm »

CPLX wrote: post #10
loloquwowndueo wrote: post #2

While the article makes some good points I still prefer having a laptop with a decent desktop setup (docking station with external monitor and wired networking, mouse, keyboard; the laptop sits on a stand and doubles as a second display) my two main reasons are : I only need to manage a single machine (I have little time or patience to look after a flock of computers) and when I do need to travel I just unplug the la…

Any docking station recommendations? I have a current model maxed out MBP 16” and have been meaning to merge it with my aging Mac Mini dual monitor setup.

I use this dock along with a 5120x1440 monitor as my main docked environment. Had absolutely zero issues: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-thunderbolt-dock

Bought it four times now (two cities, one setup for each myself and my partner). Neither of us have had an issue with any.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#32

Post by layer8 »

gregjor wrote: post #20

I value mobility over a trendy mechanical keyboard and loud speakers. Working from wherever I want, carrying a nice laptop anywhere, that beats any of the questionable advantages of a desktop. What do real “developers” do that they need the equivalent of a 747? I just need ssh to a decent server.

Ergonomics are dismal on a laptop. Once you’ve lived with a good desktop setup for a while, using a laptop standalone is just painful.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#33

Post by layer8 »

dave4420 wrote: post #4

Another option would be a cheap laptop (with a proper external monitor, keyboard etc) coupled with a cloud desktop. I feel like I don’t fully understand all the pros and cons of that approach though.

You’ll need some tolerance for the increased latency. Some people don’t notice it, some do.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#34

Post by baggy_trough »

layer8 wrote: post #29
Leimi wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd agree with you if the argument was "full desktop setup" vs "just a laptop". I sometimes envy people who can spend all day using only their laptop. After a few hours bent to look at my 12 inch screen, my neck and back scream. But when using a laptop with a dock, a big external monitor, external keyboard, mouse etc, I don't see the point in using a desktop machine anymore.

Unless you really need the mobility, a desktop is just the simpler setup, and (at least for PCs) can run more quietly under heavier load, because of better thermals due to the larger case. It’s also simpler to just add another SSD or more RAM when you need it, add/replace the GPU, etc.

That's true if you only have one location to worry about. But a laptop is simpler if you need to, for example, travel between home and work while keeping the OS / apps / files the same.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#35

Post by layer8 »

conk wrote: post #6

The proposed desktop+low cost laptop doubles the number of devices th IT org needs to maintain and secure. Sounds like a nightmare when I’m sure some laptops will sit powered off for months or could walk away without an employee realizing they are missing.

The alternative I’ve seen is to have a pool of laptops people can borrow when they need one, and only employees that travel a lot have a permanent laptop instead of a desktop.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#36

Post by lakomen »

I didn't read it because of the cookie nag screen which has legitimate interests all enabled and there's no reject all button.

Idc if the content on the site is zero point energy that solves world hunger and teleportation and whatnot. I am TIRED, no, FED UP of dealing with this.

Fix your cookie banners and your data collection. Stop spying on me.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#37

Post by layer8 »

xupybd wrote: post #7
blacksmith_tb wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Part of the appeal of a desktop is future upgrade-ability, which (unless work buys you a Framework) is pretty poor in most laptops (slightly better in some non-Apple machines, maybe you can at least add ram or a new / different SSD). I think for personal use desktops are pretty great, not that you couldn't get some of that out of using servers elsewhere (or even at home).

I've found desktop upgrades to be poor as well. For gaming it's great, you can upgrade to the latest graphics card and get a huge boost but for work not so great. By the time I want a new CPU I'm going to need a new motherboard to allow the next series of CPU. I find I end up replacing so much that buying a new PC is not much more expensive.

I agree it rarely works out for CPU, but SSD and RAM often makes sense.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#38

Post by layer8 »

lakomen wrote: post #36

I didn't read it because of the cookie nag screen which has legitimate interests all enabled and there's no reject all button. Idc if the content on the site is zero point energy that solves world hunger and teleportation and whatnot. I am TIRED, no, FED UP of dealing with this. Fix your cookie banners and your data collection. Stop spying on me.

From the HN guidelines: Please don't complain about tangential annoyances—e.g. article or website formats, name collisions, or back-button breakage. They're too common to be interesting.

Also, installing a content blocker may help. (I didn’t see any nag screen.)

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#39

Post by layer8 »

baggy_trough wrote: post #34
layer8 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unless you really need the mobility, a desktop is just the simpler setup, and (at least for PCs) can run more quietly under heavier load, because of better thermals due to the larger case. It’s also simpler to just add another SSD or more RAM when you need it, add/replace the GPU, etc.

That's true if you only have one location to worry about. But a laptop is simpler if you need to, for example, travel between home and work while keeping the OS / apps / files the same.

Yes, that’s why I wrote “unless you really need the mobility”.

Some employers don’t allow company data (which includes all dev work) on computers outside the company premises. Work from home is done via remote desktop. In that case, the work environment is completely independent from your location and client hardware.

Re: Use a developer desktop setup instead of a laptop

#40

Post by midoridensha »

loloquwowndueo wrote: post #2

While the article makes some good points I still prefer having a laptop with a decent desktop setup (docking station with external monitor and wired networking, mouse, keyboard; the laptop sits on a stand and doubles as a second display) my two main reasons are : I only need to manage a single machine (I have little time or patience to look after a flock of computers) and when I do need to travel I just unplug the la…

>While the article makes some good points I still prefer having a laptop with a decent desktop setup

The article is stupid, because in the mind of the article's writer, docking stations do not exist. He talks about things like nice mechanical keyboards, multiple monitors, how bad laptop ergonomics are, etc. But none of those are issues when you have a good docking station; it's exactly like having a desktop, though possibly with a higher price tag (but not higher than having a desktop + a laptop). The writer seems to not even know about the very existence of docking stations, or else he would have said something about them.

>I only need to manage a single machine (I have little time or patience to look after a flock of computers) and when I do need to travel I just unplug the laptop and off I go.

These are the exact reasons I now refuse to own or use a desktop PC. My docking station setup with dual 27" monitors and mechanical keyboard is fantastic, but if I need to go somewhere, it's trivial to just unplug the single Thunderbolt cable and go (just make sure not to forget the travel power adapter!).

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