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We Need a Better PC

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Re: We Need a Better PC

#61

Post by greggyb »

vardump wrote: post #19

My dream laptop: 1) No malware/spyware tainted brand. 2) At least 32 GB ECC RAM, 16 GB is so 2010. ECC, because memory errors do happen and cause instability. 64 GB option wouldn't hurt either. 3) HiDPI (retina) display (IPS or equivalent) 4) Fast PCI-e attached SSD. 5) Ability to run two 4k monitors @60 Hz. 6) Stable USB3 ports (My 2015 RMBP keeps resetting USB3 ports, making it nearly impossible to run VMs on USB3…

Not sure on the battery life, but check out the HP ZBook G3. We have the G2 at work and it's quite nice. It's got a lot of horsepower and I can go 4-6 hours on battery.

The power brick is heavier than my own little 11 inch personal machine. It is a workstation line, not an ultrabook line.

Re: We Need a Better PC

#62

Post by stepvhen »

I've bought old thinkpad T-series on ebay for ~$300, installed arch, and moved on with my life. I keep most of my relevant data on git repos or a home server. If it dies, which usually happens after a good few years, I just get a new one. Not ideal, and certainly not for everybody, but a reasonable option if it fits your needs.

Re: We Need a Better PC

#63

Post by guelo »

I wish I could buy laptops that are not built in China. The Chinese army has zero scruples with regards to hacking. The hack where they got all US federal employees' info was an act of war as far as I'm concerned. I just don't see any reason why they would not be putting in backdoors into all the computers they manufacture.

Re: We Need a Better PC

#64

Post by jeswin »

virtualwhys wrote: post #53

OP doesn't mention Dell Precision line? Recently released 5510[1] is looking absolutely awesome, will be picking one up when return to States in April to replace current Precision M4700. 2 X SSD + 32GB memory, high end CPU, decent GPU with 3840 X 2160 screen...will be sorted for next few years. If you NewEgg a couple of 480GB SSDs you're around $2,500 for a beastly machine that weighs under 4 lbs (M4700 is nice but h…

The 5-hr battery life is a huge let down. For most developers, a faster CPU/GPU is just a marginal improvement. But being able to leave home without the charger and not having to look for power sockets is way more compelling.

Re: We Need a Better PC

#65

Post by [deleted] »

virtualwhys wrote: post #53

OP doesn't mention Dell Precision line? Recently released 5510[1] is looking absolutely awesome, will be picking one up when return to States in April to replace current Precision M4700. 2 X SSD + 32GB memory, high end CPU, decent GPU with 3840 X 2160 screen...will be sorted for next few years. If you NewEgg a couple of 480GB SSDs you're around $2,500 for a beastly machine that weighs under 4 lbs (M4700 is nice but h…

[deleted]

Re: We Need a Better PC

#66

Post by viraptor »

> They display low ratings for their own products on their own website. What.

How is this a complaint? I'd love other companies to post both good and bad reviews without filtering.

> Except that page is deceptive, because that's actually the old X1 Carbon

Don't know about other locations, but here the X1 got a really nice discount once the 2016 model got announced. (also visible in the screenshot) I got it and I'm really happy about it. It has a high res screen (WQHD), so the same as the 2016 model, so that note in the post is also a mistake.

Re: We Need a Better PC

#67

Post by bluejekyll »

jeswin wrote: post #64
virtualwhys wrote: post #53

OP doesn't mention Dell Precision line? Recently released 5510[1] is looking absolutely awesome, will be picking one up when return to States in April to replace current Precision M4700. 2 X SSD + 32GB memory, high end CPU, decent GPU with 3840 X 2160 screen...will be sorted for next few years. If you NewEgg a couple of 480GB SSDs you're around $2,500 for a beastly machine that weighs under 4 lbs (M4700 is nice but h…

The 5-hr battery life is a huge let down. For most developers, a faster CPU/GPU is just a marginal improvement. But being able to leave home without the charger and not having to look for power sockets is way more compelling.

Which is why I use a Mac, w/OS X. Compared to everything else I've ever tried, it's the only one that I've never had to worry about battery life, literally hours and hours of coding. Also, with two small kids I need to close it and open it all the time, it's practically instant on, and I can pick right back up where I left off, and that's without ever plugging it in.

I also switched back to Safari from Chrome b/c I found Chrome to be a horrendous battery drain.

As much crap as Apple's gotten recently for their software, the attention to battery life is a huge blessing. My MBP is easily worth $ for the time and convenience.

Re: We Need a Better PC

#70

Post by aback »

stepvhen wrote: post #62

I've bought old thinkpad T-series on ebay for ~$300, installed arch, and moved on with my life. I keep most of my relevant data on git repos or a home server. If it dies, which usually happens after a good few years, I just get a new one. Not ideal, and certainly not for everybody, but a reasonable option if it fits your needs.

That's actually a good idea if you don't need too much extra horsepower. You get a good keyboard, an acceptable display, and a lightweight machine for a don't-care-if-you-drop-it price.
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