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For #1, I would suggest the answer would not help sales....I think it would look like this (apologies to Apple's old "good, better, best" computer labeling): S
by MR4D 10y ago
For #1, I would suggest the answer would not help sales....I think it would look like this (apologies to Apple's old "good, better, best" computer labeling):
Server: expensive, more expensive, you can't afford it
Desktop: nicely priced, expensive
Mobile: nicely priced, expensive, pretty expensive
Of course, if they made it that simple, then this would happen:
Cheap server: buy ARM
Cheap Desktop: buy an older PC
Cheap mobile: ARM
REALLY cheap mobile: buy last years' ARM
For #2, the performance isn't really much different for most people. Running office and surfing the net probably are more limited by typing speed and internet connectivity than the speed of your CPU.
I think most people pay those prices because they want the simplicity (either real or imagined) that Apple has over the other options.
- scarface74 10y agoI will even go a step further. For most people, the Performance of a 2008 era Core 2 Duo 2.66Ghz would be enough for non gamers. I have an old business Dell laptop with those specs with 4Gb of RAM running a Plex Server and PlexConnect with Windows 10 and it feels fast enough when using it once you turn off all of the antivirus programs. I don't think I would be able to tell the difference between that and my Core I7 if I maxxed out the RAM to 8GB and added an SSD drive.
- netule 10y agoYou can get gently used 2013 T420 Thinkpads on eBay for around $150 with an i7 processor, NVIDIA dedicated graphics, and 4GB of RAM. For non-gaming, it's just not worth it to go anywhere beyond that.
- nine_k 10y agoFor development, 8 or even 16 GB would be great, and look for the higher-res screen. Anyway, for $200 you can have a very decent, durable, highly compatible machine. The only functional thing lacking would be a Thunderdolt port.
- jeffmcjunkin 10y agoThat same T420 does support[0] 16 GB of RAM[1] in practice, for the record. [0] https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-T400-T500-and-newer-T/T420-maximum-supported-memory-size/td-p/587217 https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-T400-T500-and-newer-T/... [1] http://pcpartpicker.com/products/memory/#t=9&Z=16384002&s=301333 http://pcpartpicker.com/products/memory/#t=9&Z=16384002&s=30...
- hsivonen 10y agoI guess perf being a "gaming" thing on HN suggests that many developers aren't using AOT-compiled languages. More perf is still desirable if you compile Rust programs or large C++ programs. For the latter, it's not just CPU but storage perf matters, too, due to file system-heavy compilation unit and textual include model.
- usrusr 10y agoFor real mobility away from a power outlet, an old notebook might not be all that great. But if it's just about the desktop replacement form factor, then any used post-2010 high end model will provide much better value for money than a fresh low spec device.