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2011 13" MBP. I'll be doubling the RAM (to 8GB) and adding a 160GB Intel 320 in the next few months. Really wanted a 15" but I decided to be responsible before

2011 13" MBP. I'll be doubling the RAM (to 8GB) and adding a 160GB Intel 320 in the next few months. Really wanted a 15" but I decided to be responsible before starting grad school. :) Systems: Lion. Ubuntu 11.04 through VirtualBox (for patch contribution). Windows 7 via Boot Camp (for Deus Ex and Fallout 2). Used TextMate for a while, now I'm back to Emacs in Terminal. There are some obvious drawbacks (glossy screen, poor GPU) but I dig the mix of portability and expandability lacking in both a MBA and a 15" MBP.

holograham 15y ago
I was debating getting a MBP for my next machine. I currently have a dell laptop (middle tier performance) and a customer desktop rig that is several years old now. I was debating the high end laptop route with a nice docking station setup. Vs cheaper laptop and custom rig at home.
- achompas 15y ago
  I really like Macs, but it's ultimately about your preferences. I was very focused on getting a *nix machine (have coded on Unix since starting 2 years ago), but didn't want to spend time setting up drivers and solving hardware issues. So I went with a Mac. What do you develop for? Are your tasks memory- or CPU-intensive? How often do you work away from home? Do you prefer to replace your computer often, or do you run your laptops into the ground? I ran my last Macbook into the ground (and use it as a media server now), and I expect to do the same for this MBP. For what its worth, if I wanted to roll my own Linux laptop I would've bought a Lenovo. I hear they're engineered very well and weigh almost nothing.
- dutchrapley 15y ago
  Get a MBP. You can always install and boot Windows natively w/Boot Camp if you need to or if you're a gamer. It'll run Windows, natively, better than any other hardware you can buy. The displays are gorgeous. You won't need a dock but I would recommend investing in a Griffin Elevator stand.

holograham 15y ago

I was debating getting a MBP for my next machine. I currently have a dell laptop (middle tier performance) and a customer desktop rig that is several years old now. I was debating the high end laptop route with a nice docking station setup. Vs cheaper laptop and custom rig at home.

achompas 15y ago
I really like Macs, but it's ultimately about your preferences. I was very focused on getting a *nix machine (have coded on Unix since starting 2 years ago), but didn't want to spend time setting up drivers and solving hardware issues. So I went with a Mac. What do you develop for? Are your tasks memory- or CPU-intensive? How often do you work away from home? Do you prefer to replace your computer often, or do you run your laptops into the ground? I ran my last Macbook into the ground (and use it as a media server now), and I expect to do the same for this MBP. For what its worth, if I wanted to roll my own Linux laptop I would've bought a Lenovo. I hear they're engineered very well and weigh almost nothing.
dutchrapley 15y ago
Get a MBP. You can always install and boot Windows natively w/Boot Camp if you need to or if you're a gamer. It'll run Windows, natively, better than any other hardware you can buy. The displays are gorgeous. You won't need a dock but I would recommend investing in a Griffin Elevator stand.