Developer Laptop
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Laptops ARE off the shelf. 1, Most important question as far as I'm concerned if whether you're going to lug it around on a daily basis or not. If so, make sure it's small and light, otherwise you can go for a "foldable desktop". 2, make sure it has a large enough SSD-drive. 3, Get a docking station, can't stress enough how important proper monitors and keyboard is for productivity
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Jörgen Andersson wrote:
"foldable desktop".
Been there, done that... At one point I was (mistakenly) given free hands in choosing a new laptop. So I thought to myself: "A 17" screen must be good for software development. The more screen space, the better". Yeah, right! So I wound up with a "forcibly moveable laptop". The power adapter alone weighed around 3 kilos. No need to work out for a couple of years... :laugh:
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
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Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
Mark Twain -
Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
I'd go for a classic: Clickety[^]... ;)
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
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The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
-----
Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
Mark Twain -
Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
I was asked this in my current position. I asked for the moon and got it. I have a desktop that is a BUTTTTTTT KICKER. loads of memory 4 harddrives. Dual monitors etc......(grunt, grunt, grunt) And.,...... and a little bitty convertible notebook that can connect to the beefy machine via RDP when I am not in the office. It has this pen thingy I can take notes with in OneNote(the only decent MS Product) and it doesn't weigh 2 lbs (1 kg) I really like my setup.
To err is human to really elephant it up you need a computer
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Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
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Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
Your considerations will be different. I often need a serial port on the road. I don't care much about weight, ( after the toolbox, the laptop doesn't count ). But, for "casual" ( notes, read the docs, check on the R Pis... ) use I carry an old HP TM2. For "work" I have an AV cart that breaks down easily, carries toolbox, parts, laptop, comes with power strip, acts as desk.
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Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
Which OS? If you will never need Windows, if you have an iPhone, get a macbook with M1. Their hardware is the best around, and I've tried many, many, many laptops in my time. Except we're expecting the new ones soon so hold off till...2022? Otherwise an Intel Macbook, and run Bootcamp. You get to test on macOS, Windows and Linux on a single box. If you're in the apple exosystem you get all the goodies therein. You'll scream at the lack of video connection but will learn to love USB-C. Except in Windows. Honestly: you may as well be asking us what shirt to wear. It's such a personal choice, but for me I've tried moving away from the Apple hardware but cannot find anything better.
cheers Chris Maunder
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Which OS? If you will never need Windows, if you have an iPhone, get a macbook with M1. Their hardware is the best around, and I've tried many, many, many laptops in my time. Except we're expecting the new ones soon so hold off till...2022? Otherwise an Intel Macbook, and run Bootcamp. You get to test on macOS, Windows and Linux on a single box. If you're in the apple exosystem you get all the goodies therein. You'll scream at the lack of video connection but will learn to love USB-C. Except in Windows. Honestly: you may as well be asking us what shirt to wear. It's such a personal choice, but for me I've tried moving away from the Apple hardware but cannot find anything better.
cheers Chris Maunder
Mmmmaaa....? Maaaacc...? Macccb...? Nope, can't force myself to say it!!! Tbh, I have no doubt that you are right in terms of hardware, looks, OS stability (just guessing on that one but got to be better than windows right?) But I just don't see myself making the change. On the other hand there is a definite shift in reliance on Windows in my work, maybe I'll give it a look...
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I was asked this in my current position. I asked for the moon and got it. I have a desktop that is a BUTTTTTTT KICKER. loads of memory 4 harddrives. Dual monitors etc......(grunt, grunt, grunt) And.,...... and a little bitty convertible notebook that can connect to the beefy machine via RDP when I am not in the office. It has this pen thingy I can take notes with in OneNote(the only decent MS Product) and it doesn't weigh 2 lbs (1 kg) I really like my setup.
To err is human to really elephant it up you need a computer
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I'd go for a classic: Clickety[^]... ;)
Anything that is unrelated to elephants is irrelephant
Anonymous
-----
The problem with quotes on the internet is that you can never tell if they're genuine
Winston Churchill, 1944
-----
Never argue with a fool. Onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.
Mark Twain -
Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
Something that is small and light enough to put in your pocket, with a 28" curved screen.
Nothing succeeds like a budgie without teeth.
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Laptops ARE off the shelf. 1, Most important question as far as I'm concerned if whether you're going to lug it around on a daily basis or not. If so, make sure it's small and light, otherwise you can go for a "foldable desktop". 2, make sure it has a large enough SSD-drive. 3, Get a docking station, can't stress enough how important proper monitors and keyboard is for productivity
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
Jörgen Andersson wrote:
otherwise you can go for a "foldable desktop".
"Lugable" is the word we used to use.
Nothing succeeds like a budgie without teeth.
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Which OS? If you will never need Windows, if you have an iPhone, get a macbook with M1. Their hardware is the best around, and I've tried many, many, many laptops in my time. Except we're expecting the new ones soon so hold off till...2022? Otherwise an Intel Macbook, and run Bootcamp. You get to test on macOS, Windows and Linux on a single box. If you're in the apple exosystem you get all the goodies therein. You'll scream at the lack of video connection but will learn to love USB-C. Except in Windows. Honestly: you may as well be asking us what shirt to wear. It's such a personal choice, but for me I've tried moving away from the Apple hardware but cannot find anything better.
cheers Chris Maunder
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
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Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
It really depends on how your daily job would look like. That said, I would go for a virtual setup 1 server with 20 cores + memory + VMware ==> create a clean (test) environment in "no time" - VM's to mimic customer PC's (4 core PC ?) - VM's to do unit tests (2 core PC might be enough and allows to run multiple in parallel) - VM's to do number crunching (8 core PC - optimum cores may depend on algorithm / flow) - VM's to do data processing (throughput may depend more on network speed than # cores) - VM to schedule automatic tests (Jenkins - whatever) (this part should be scalable) 1 server to keep logs, documents, backups of your VM's do not forget to organize backups, version control for the test code, UPS for server(s) Connect to the servers with your laptop over remote desktop/VPN/something when needed. - a minimum of sensitive data would be carried around. - no draining of batteries due to the number crunching in background - when your laptop is not around you can use any PC, even your phone to connect. (take care of secure login of course) The advantage of multiple VM's is that you can create setups including a database and/or a webserver as separate servers to mimic the customer environment as close as possible.
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Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
Other people are correct in luggability, and how do you intend to use it. I run mine as a workstation. Lid Closed, it drives a huge 55 inch desktop monitor (4k). And a side monitor (as MSFT Teams SUCKS and can't share my programs on this screen, and it turns out, sharing the whole screen looks like a postage stamp to others). But Memory. I have 128GB of memory in mine. No issues yet with running out, even with 2-3 VMs running. SSDs: My Dell supports up to 4 internal. I have 2x2TB, and I usually follow a plan of replacing them, every 2yrs. Usually the first replacement only doubles the drive of the D: drive (Data/VMs). Because of costs, I may only replace ONE of them at the 2yr mark, and one at the 3yr mark. I like to have close to 50% free space on my System drive. Finally, consider the keyboard layout. I did not. While I am fine with it, we standardized on it, and one of my team members does not dock his. And he hates the keyboard, he was forced to buy one and it frustrates him. (I don't understand it). Oh, and I expect 5-7 years from these machines/configs. It wasn't cheap. I added the extra memory myself, as well as the full sized SSDs since dell had the most expensive upgrades for those, as usual. And I was still about $5,000 But I love it! The good news is that 64 bit OSes are going to be the norm. (Nobody needs more than 64 bits of memory... LOL except windows 11, visual studio, and we know history). But the switch to 128 bit is going to take a while.
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Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
I'm buying two of them. I'm going to need a spare.
cheers Chris Maunder
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Mmmmaaa....? Maaaacc...? Macccb...? Nope, can't force myself to say it!!! Tbh, I have no doubt that you are right in terms of hardware, looks, OS stability (just guessing on that one but got to be better than windows right?) But I just don't see myself making the change. On the other hand there is a definite shift in reliance on Windows in my work, maybe I'll give it a look...
I run Bootcamp on my Macs, and have for 10 years. 2 years ago I said "I'm done" and bought the best Windows laptop I could find. After (literally) 6 months of constant searching (and swearing at the US for the Huawei ban which meant no Matebook Pro) I settled on a DELL XPS 13, fully loaded. Being in Canada we could only get the white version at that spec level, but that was fine since I wanted a change. Turns out their white keyboard has a white backlight so if your in a light room and the backlit is on you can't see the keys. Simply switching the colour of (I assume) a couple of LEDS would have fixed that for no cost to DELL. And it was actually way thicker than the marketing said (no drama, but really DELL? You're formally going to quote width without including the feet thickness? And battery life was...not even vaguely what they claimed. Not even close. And the bloatware. And opening the lid required two hands. And the heat. And (really, the only thing that truly bugged me) the fact that it was the same speed as my 7 year old iMac. Running Bootcamp. And the thing just looked like every other Windows laptop after a year: cheap and tattered. I palmed it off to someone else and went out and grabbed a Macbook Pro. I still have it and it just works, looks neat, and was cheaper than the Dell for a higher spec.
cheers Chris Maunder
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Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
I would not forget that while SSDs are fast, the do fail and when they go, they are often not recoverable. I had a fully loaded Dell XPS (loved it), but I had 2 SSD drives fail in 3 years (total loss) so that is a lot of reinstalling Windows/development platforms/testing tools. I would like a laptop with both SSD and HD. BTW I threw the Dell out after the second fail.
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Ok, so this subject has probably been done to death in the past but things are always moving on... New job means new laptop, new boss says tell me what you need and we'll get it for you - I'm in R&D working on test software generally, a lot of number crunching maths, data processing and apps for embedded applications. Graphics are typically light. Do I go for something off the shelf or spec me up something special?
Depends on how they do testing where you work. Portability is a big deal in a laptop. My personal goal is to keep my laptop under 1kg, which is still a difficult goal. This means only an ultralight, and probably something tablet-y. I'm running a Surface Pro right now (sadly, a Surface Pro 3, but I'm in the market to upgrade). You can walk a long way with a 1kg tablet in your bag and not develop a hunchback. It's all about the RAM if you buy a laptop, needed to run virtual machines for testing in. But hopefully they have test servers for the workaday testing, so you don't need super fast CPU. Still for VMs an i7 with several cores would be best. Is there an i5 with four real cores (not just SMT) yet?
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I run Bootcamp on my Macs, and have for 10 years. 2 years ago I said "I'm done" and bought the best Windows laptop I could find. After (literally) 6 months of constant searching (and swearing at the US for the Huawei ban which meant no Matebook Pro) I settled on a DELL XPS 13, fully loaded. Being in Canada we could only get the white version at that spec level, but that was fine since I wanted a change. Turns out their white keyboard has a white backlight so if your in a light room and the backlit is on you can't see the keys. Simply switching the colour of (I assume) a couple of LEDS would have fixed that for no cost to DELL. And it was actually way thicker than the marketing said (no drama, but really DELL? You're formally going to quote width without including the feet thickness? And battery life was...not even vaguely what they claimed. Not even close. And the bloatware. And opening the lid required two hands. And the heat. And (really, the only thing that truly bugged me) the fact that it was the same speed as my 7 year old iMac. Running Bootcamp. And the thing just looked like every other Windows laptop after a year: cheap and tattered. I palmed it off to someone else and went out and grabbed a Macbook Pro. I still have it and it just works, looks neat, and was cheaper than the Dell for a higher spec.
cheers Chris Maunder
Well I can see where it went wrong. From Dells Comparison site[^], The aiming groups for XPS are "Ultra mobile consumers" and "C-level executives" for home offices. If there ever is a next time you should aim for Latitude, they are free of bloatware (if you discount the stuff that comes with windows itself), and the aiming groups are "Mobile professionals" and "Information multitaskers" for "Medium and large organizations". My five year old Latitude looks like new, and works like new. It's out of warranty though, so I recently got a new one just in case. In the last twenty years I have had five latitudes, four of them are still alive, the fifth only runs on power adapter.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
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If you are testing software, my recommendation would be to get 2 test machines: 1. The hottest hopped up laptop with the most modern expensive options, lots of memory and large disks 2. The oldest wimpiest crappy laptop that you support for the software with the smallest memory and disk that are reasonable to use with it. Make sure it has Windows Vista. You'll be seen as the smartest tester in the group.
If pigs could fly, just imagine how good their wings would taste! - Harvey
Microsoft won't allow you to install Windows Vista on a new machine. My test machine died and I tried to re-install Windows Vista and it went to the MS website to validate the software, but the URL was no longer active. The oldest OS you can install (before Vista) is XP.