3 ms·

As counterpoint, that same $500 will get you a Chromebook that's exceptionally thin and light (0.5" thick, 2.3 lbs), has a high resolution retina display (12",

As counterpoint, that same $500 will get you a Chromebook that's exceptionally thin and light (0.5" thick, 2.3 lbs), has a high resolution retina display (12", 2400x1600 pixels), 10+ hours battery life, and touchscreen with pen input and Android app compatibility: http://www.samsung.com/us/computing/chromebooks/12-14/xe513c24-k01us-xe513c24-k01us/ http://www.samsung.com/us/computing/chromebooks/12-14/xe513c... Compared to a giant 15" clunky, hot, loud, low resolution display Windows laptop it's a night and day difference.

fauigerzigerk 9y ago
Yes, but with a drastically slower CPU, half the RAM and 1/8 of the disk space that Chromebook is not a usable developer machine without an additional server on which to run compilers, database systems, etc. You're essentially buying a very high resolution ssh terminal + documentation viewer for your $500.
- tracker1 9y ago
  And you also still have to connect to remote servers to collaborate with other developers, run your SCM, CI/CD, servers, etc... If you can do your editing locally, and connect to something more beefy when needed, whoopty do. It depends on what your needs are. Personally, a really nice screen and touchpad are huge features for me... at home/work a physical switch keyboard (buckling spring or cherry-mx browns)... who cares? I want more, you want more, but there's no need to poopoo on someone else for not aligning with your own sensibilities.
  - fauigerzigerk 9y ago
    Not including RAM, CPU and disk space in a cost comparison because your work doesn't require much RAM, CPU or disk space is fine. I don't poopoo anyone for not having these requirements in the first place. But not including RAM, CPU and disk space because they're on a server somewhere makes absolutely no sense. SCM and CI/CD are irrelevant for the comparison because they cost exactly the same whether you use a Chromebook, a Windows laptop or a Mac.
    - tracker1 9y ago
      My point was, I'd rather have the cheaper, more easily replaced device with me, and connect to something more powerful as needed.

fauigerzigerk 9y ago

Yes, but with a drastically slower CPU, half the RAM and 1/8 of the disk space that Chromebook is not a usable developer machine without an additional server on which to run compilers, database systems, etc. You're essentially buying a very high resolution ssh terminal + documentation viewer for your $500.

tracker1 9y ago
And you also still have to connect to remote servers to collaborate with other developers, run your SCM, CI/CD, servers, etc... If you can do your editing locally, and connect to something more beefy when needed, whoopty do. It depends on what your needs are. Personally, a really nice screen and touchpad are huge features for me... at home/work a physical switch keyboard (buckling spring or cherry-mx browns)... who cares? I want more, you want more, but there's no need to poopoo on someone else for not aligning with your own sensibilities.
- fauigerzigerk 9y ago
  Not including RAM, CPU and disk space in a cost comparison because your work doesn't require much RAM, CPU or disk space is fine. I don't poopoo anyone for not having these requirements in the first place. But not including RAM, CPU and disk space because they're on a server somewhere makes absolutely no sense. SCM and CI/CD are irrelevant for the comparison because they cost exactly the same whether you use a Chromebook, a Windows laptop or a Mac.
  - tracker1 9y ago
    My point was, I'd rather have the cheaper, more easily replaced device with me, and connect to something more powerful as needed.