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Ask HN: New Laptop

10 pointstomw180820 comments

If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be [spec(s)] because I am a [CEO/CTO/Programmer/Homeless guy]

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If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be an IPS screen and the best keyboard available because IPS screens cause me less eyestrain and a quality keyboard with a trackpoint is a pleasure. I value ergonomics. I also value a light laptop, as my desktop has ample power. I am a programmer.

I also value the capability to run any OS I want, because like brokenparser said, "because I am what I am and the supplied OS is never good enough."

What do you think about the new upcoming high-res displays (3200x1600)?

I like high res, but they seem to be a little bit over-the-top, although they are IPS Panels of course...

Any opinion? Anyone worked on them already with day2day programming?

I haven't worked on one, but when I try the rMBPs at the store I find text more enjoyable to read. I have a retina iPhone, and I like reading text on it (though it's small). I value aspect ratio and total area of screen. A 3:2 15" retina screen would be perfect. If I could afford an 15" rMBP I'd get it (if only to run linux on).

My current laptop is a TN screen Thinkpad, and I loath the screen. I'm embarrassed to show it to other people. I haven't gotten a new laptop because 1. I'm on a shoestring right now, and 2. I want a better aspect ratio than 16:9, which is all Lenovo provides. Ugh. I hope the Chromebook Pixel inspires other manufacturers.

Edit: Actually, I should say I like the screen because the color temperature is so freaking awful that it doesn't bother me to work at night. My iPhone is shockingly blue compared to this dying-ass CCFL-backlit screen. I've never articulated this point before. I know I could change the color temperature manually, but there's something appealing about this being the stupid way it is.

Resolution. I've been buying 1920x1200 15" laptops for along time. My latest laptop is a retina MBP, which I have only because of the resolution (it's fine otherwise too, but nothing special). I just wish the screen wasn't glossy.

Other requirements: SSD, discrete Nvidia graphics card (which do great under Linux), lots of RAM.

I probably wouldn't work anywhere that wouldn't let me run Linux on my machine without virtualization.

This is the main reason I bought the Zenbook UX32VD. The 1920x1080 resolution on a 13" screen is amazing! It's not glossy either, which is a huge plus.

Most important would be the capability to run any OS I feed it (without any signature bullcrap) because I am what I am and the supplied OS is never good enough.

agreed.

Something lightweight with 13 inch screen because I like light stuff and feel comfortable writing code on 13 inch screen. I can write code on smaller or larger screen but 13 inch feels about right in case I need to use Gimp/Inkscape.

weight: this is th most important. it's a laptop, you carry it around, so it should be confortable to carry

SSD: speeds everthing up

keyboard/trackpad: you're a developer, so you write a lot. Make sure it's confortable to do so

screen: you spend a lot of time in front of the screen, so make sure you get something that's easy on the eyes.

Sony Z, 1920x1200, 13.3".

Made in Japan.

Can't beat that, unless you forced to live in Mac world.

If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be a trackpoint because thinkpads spoiled me.

I know that feeling. Recently I bought new ThinkPad T430 (N1T56PB / 2344-56G). Quite expensive, but good stuff.

My previous ThinkPad R61 (NF55WPB) became defunct a few years ago, because of nVidia NVS140m internal chip failure.

a couple of friends of mine also said that you get addicted to that trackpoint, once you are used to it. I don't have one though, but it seems to be like that across multiple types of users and countries as I see :)

Anyone have experience with the System76 Gazelle Pro? I run linux as my main OS.

portability, screen quality, good keyboard, reasonable price

Right now my favorite is the ThinkPad X series (eg: X240)

You need to decide on price first.

< $3000 and < $2000

would be interesting I guess... Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated.

> $3000 is only for the MacBook Pro's 15" which I don't consider at the moment...

If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be a keyboard because I am a user with fingers

Keyboard, size, battery life

- If I would buy a new laptop, the most important specs would be (price, speed and memory) because I am a homeless entrepreneur.

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