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Ask HN: Developer laptop under $500

8 points by xux 13y ago

What are your suggestions for a developer laptop? I'll mainly use it for web dev: - html/css/js/angularos editing - need basic linux tools such as ssh - need to be lightweight, long battery life, slim My budget is $500

autotravis 13y ago
"My budget is $500" + "need to be lightweight, long battery life, slim" good luck with that. Chromebook or http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&N=100020039&IsNodeId=1&PropertyCodeValue=34568%3A443034&bop=And&cm_sp=Ultra3090-_-VisNav-_-Non-Touch%2CUltrabooks-_-VisNav-_-Non-Touch&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Proper... are my suggestions.
- autotravis 13y ago
  Actually, this looks interesting (IdeaPad U410): http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=59RF0458 http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/... 9 hr battery life, supposedly. And if it takes after thinkpads, then it supports a native GNU/Linux pretty well.
  - codonaut 13y ago
    9hr battery life is not accurate at all. I bought one recently and while the build quality is very nice, the battery life isn't as long as advertised, and there have been issues connecting to wireless networks as well(need to repeatedly sleep/wakeup to connect to a new network). Apparently the network issues are widespread with this model, and while the newer ones(like I have) don't suffer from low speed I'm still getting poor connectivity.
aespinoza 13y ago
Acer Travelmate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314193&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-All+Laptops+%2f+Notebooks-_-N82E16834314193&gclid=COrqtN25l7oCFeU5Qgod5hQAkQ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314...
Samuel_Michon 13y ago
For that budget, I’d suggest buying a second hand MacBook Air. Looking at the listings on eBay, you could get a pristine one with 13" LED backlit screen, 1.7Ghz i5 with 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, and with a fresh battery. The MacBook Air is a slim laptop with long battery life, and using the standard OS, you can run all the POSIX apps you could possibly want (or just install a GNU/Linux distro, which the machine is very compatible with, drivers and everything.) That generation has 7 hours of battery life, with WiFi turned on. Otherwise, what you’re describing is an Ultrabook, and you won’t get a new one for $500.
- xux 13y ago
  I'm curious why everyone is recommending a Mac. Always been a PC guy. How easy is it to get used to coding on a Mac / installing packages?
  - Samuel_Michon 13y ago
    > why everyone is recommending a Mac That’s because of the needs you listed. Software needs: there are a lot of great code editors for OS X and they are either free or very cheap. The OS also comes with a lot of UNIX tools preinstalled and you can easily install more. Hardware needs: “lightweight, long battery life, slim”, that’s a description of the MacBook Air if I ever read one. The description also fits Ultraboks, but because they were introduced relatively recently and so few are sold, you’re not likely to find a good one for $500. > How easy is it to get used to coding on a Mac / installing packages? Given that you‘re familiar with Windows and Linux distros, that’s not going to be a problem. And in the off-chance that you do not like working with OS X, you can always install another OS. I recommended the MacBook Air because there’s a big second hand market for them, they’re available within your budget, they fulfil the needs you listed, they’re all around solid, and Apple’s service and warranty is legendary.
  - sejje 13y ago
    Especially when you have to get one with a 13" screen. I can't imagine that for development. You can pry my 18" linux rig from my cold, dead fingers.
MrMeker 13y ago
Acer chromebook. I paid $199 for mine. They just released a new version so the previous should be cheaper now. With nitrous.io, you will be able to do everything you list. With an installation of chrouton, you can do anything you want, locally and offline. Another tool worth looking at is Caret, a great imitation of Sublime Text that runs as a Chrome app and supports multiple cursors. I get 3-4 hr battery life, but I have the stock battery. There are others available with 150% the capacity of the original. Speaking of upgrades, the Acer C7 is the most easily and possibly the only upgradeable chromebook. It supports up to 16GB RAM and any size laptop hard drive. Mine came with a 16GB SSD, of which 2.3GB is available with a full, well used chrouton install. I am thinking of upgrading the RAM as 2GB is getting tight with instances of chrome running under both operating systems. Having a computer with a 1:1 ratio of RAM to hard storage would be kind of strange. Overall, the keyboard and screen are really nice. The touchpad is what could be expected for $200.
- MrMeker 13y ago
  I just discovered this app https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nitrousio/efdcneeepllhjlbejkfnaolelbpdacai https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nitrousio/efdcneee...
- xux 13y ago
  I've heard about how Nitrous can be unreliable. What has your experience been?
- stefcosma 13y ago
  Agreed. An Acer Chromebook would be a good choice if your're using it to web dev. But I would suggest you try Koding (http://koding.com http://koding.com) Mainly because it has a few notable features that are perfect for a Chromebook. A Chrome app https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/terminal/kogcfmeennoidocadkgjhnbancebmlbf https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/terminal/kogcfmeen... Free virtual machine (VM) with Ubuntu, root access, apt-get, and many commonly used tools Built-in Terminal with 256-color support All languages, databases, and command-line tools are supported Various file upload options such as Drag & Drop, Dropbox, Clone from Github, FTP and the ability to access them using SSH Real-time code and terminal collaboration with integrated chat abilities Subdomains serve PHP, Perl, Python via Apache, and additional ports are available for other web apps So in my opinion that's your best choice. :)
mehrdada 13y ago
Get a used (prev. gen) MacBook Air off of Craigslist.
csense 13y ago
A netbook (eee pc or the like). You're not going to get a great laptop display at the low end, so I recommend an external monitor.
aaren 13y ago
Very recently I bought a Thinkpad X200s (12inch screen) from ebay (<£200). I put in 8GB of RAM (£50) (max the chipset will support) and a 256GB SSD (OCZ Octane, ~£120). Total cost £370, which is just under $600. If you skip the extra ram and get a lower capacity SSD, you can get this under $500. I installed Crunchbang 64bit. I do lots of coding on this machine. My battery lasts about 7 hours. Very lightweight. The Thinkpad keyboard is excellent. I would consider the SSD essential for both speed and battery saving, but you could make it cheaper still without. You could go back another generation and get an X60/61. These are even cheaper. The Thinkpad build quality is excellent. I expect mine to last for at least 5 years.
- phaus 13y ago
  I just got a T430 with 8gb and a 256 SSD on the Lenovo Outlet for $449. They have been clearing inventory lately to make space for the new models.
hzroot 13y ago
you can just install Koding chrome app and you got free virtual machine, text editor and all other you need to develop. also there are 2 koding chrome apps, Terminal app : http://bit.ly/GQtPh1 http://bit.ly/GQtPh1 and koding app http://bit.ly/17sCYmv http://bit.ly/17sCYmv, you can also visit https://www.koding.com https://www.koding.com if you dont want to download anything.

8 points by xux 13y ago

autotravis 13y ago

"My budget is $500" + "need to be lightweight, long battery life, slim" good luck with that. Chromebook or http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Property&N=100020039&IsNodeId=1&PropertyCodeValue=34568%3A443034&bop=And&cm_sp=Ultra3090-_-VisNav-_-Non-Touch%2CUltrabooks-_-VisNav-_-Non-Touch&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20 http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=Proper... are my suggestions.

autotravis 13y ago
Actually, this looks interesting (IdeaPad U410): http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=445&Code=59RF0458 http://outlet.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/outlet_us/... 9 hr battery life, supposedly. And if it takes after thinkpads, then it supports a native GNU/Linux pretty well.
- codonaut 13y ago
  9hr battery life is not accurate at all. I bought one recently and while the build quality is very nice, the battery life isn't as long as advertised, and there have been issues connecting to wireless networks as well(need to repeatedly sleep/wakeup to connect to a new network). Apparently the network issues are widespread with this model, and while the newer ones(like I have) don't suffer from low speed I'm still getting poor connectivity.

aespinoza 13y ago

Acer Travelmate: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314193&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-All+Laptops+%2f+Notebooks-_-N82E16834314193&gclid=COrqtN25l7oCFeU5Qgod5hQAkQ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314...

Samuel_Michon 13y ago

For that budget, I’d suggest buying a second hand MacBook Air. Looking at the listings on eBay, you could get a pristine one with 13" LED backlit screen, 1.7Ghz i5 with 128GB SSD, 4GB RAM, and with a fresh battery. The MacBook Air is a slim laptop with long battery life, and using the standard OS, you can run all the POSIX apps you could possibly want (or just install a GNU/Linux distro, which the machine is very compatible with, drivers and everything.) That generation has 7 hours of battery life, with WiFi turned on. Otherwise, what you’re describing is an Ultrabook, and you won’t get a new one for $500.

xux 13y ago
I'm curious why everyone is recommending a Mac. Always been a PC guy. How easy is it to get used to coding on a Mac / installing packages?
- Samuel_Michon 13y ago
  > why everyone is recommending a Mac That’s because of the needs you listed. Software needs: there are a lot of great code editors for OS X and they are either free or very cheap. The OS also comes with a lot of UNIX tools preinstalled and you can easily install more. Hardware needs: “lightweight, long battery life, slim”, that’s a description of the MacBook Air if I ever read one. The description also fits Ultraboks, but because they were introduced relatively recently and so few are sold, you’re not likely to find a good one for $500. > How easy is it to get used to coding on a Mac / installing packages? Given that you‘re familiar with Windows and Linux distros, that’s not going to be a problem. And in the off-chance that you do not like working with OS X, you can always install another OS. I recommended the MacBook Air because there’s a big second hand market for them, they’re available within your budget, they fulfil the needs you listed, they’re all around solid, and Apple’s service and warranty is legendary.
- sejje 13y ago
  Especially when you have to get one with a 13" screen. I can't imagine that for development. You can pry my 18" linux rig from my cold, dead fingers.

MrMeker 13y ago

Acer chromebook. I paid $199 for mine. They just released a new version so the previous should be cheaper now. With nitrous.io, you will be able to do everything you list. With an installation of chrouton, you can do anything you want, locally and offline. Another tool worth looking at is Caret, a great imitation of Sublime Text that runs as a Chrome app and supports multiple cursors. I get 3-4 hr battery life, but I have the stock battery. There are others available with 150% the capacity of the original. Speaking of upgrades, the Acer C7 is the most easily and possibly the only upgradeable chromebook. It supports up to 16GB RAM and any size laptop hard drive. Mine came with a 16GB SSD, of which 2.3GB is available with a full, well used chrouton install. I am thinking of upgrading the RAM as 2GB is getting tight with instances of chrome running under both operating systems. Having a computer with a 1:1 ratio of RAM to hard storage would be kind of strange. Overall, the keyboard and screen are really nice. The touchpad is what could be expected for $200.

MrMeker 13y ago
I just discovered this app https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nitrousio/efdcneeepllhjlbejkfnaolelbpdacai https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/nitrousio/efdcneee...
xux 13y ago
I've heard about how Nitrous can be unreliable. What has your experience been?
stefcosma 13y ago
Agreed. An Acer Chromebook would be a good choice if your're using it to web dev. But I would suggest you try Koding (http://koding.com http://koding.com) Mainly because it has a few notable features that are perfect for a Chromebook. A Chrome app https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/terminal/kogcfmeennoidocadkgjhnbancebmlbf https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/terminal/kogcfmeen... Free virtual machine (VM) with Ubuntu, root access, apt-get, and many commonly used tools Built-in Terminal with 256-color support All languages, databases, and command-line tools are supported Various file upload options such as Drag & Drop, Dropbox, Clone from Github, FTP and the ability to access them using SSH Real-time code and terminal collaboration with integrated chat abilities Subdomains serve PHP, Perl, Python via Apache, and additional ports are available for other web apps So in my opinion that's your best choice. :)

mehrdada 13y ago

Get a used (prev. gen) MacBook Air off of Craigslist.

csense 13y ago

A netbook (eee pc or the like). You're not going to get a great laptop display at the low end, so I recommend an external monitor.

aaren 13y ago

Very recently I bought a Thinkpad X200s (12inch screen) from ebay (<£200). I put in 8GB of RAM (£50) (max the chipset will support) and a 256GB SSD (OCZ Octane, ~£120). Total cost £370, which is just under $600. If you skip the extra ram and get a lower capacity SSD, you can get this under $500. I installed Crunchbang 64bit. I do lots of coding on this machine. My battery lasts about 7 hours. Very lightweight. The Thinkpad keyboard is excellent. I would consider the SSD essential for both speed and battery saving, but you could make it cheaper still without. You could go back another generation and get an X60/61. These are even cheaper. The Thinkpad build quality is excellent. I expect mine to last for at least 5 years.

phaus 13y ago
I just got a T430 with 8gb and a 256 SSD on the Lenovo Outlet for $449. They have been clearing inventory lately to make space for the new models.

hzroot 13y ago

you can just install Koding chrome app and you got free virtual machine, text editor and all other you need to develop. also there are 2 koding chrome apps, Terminal app : http://bit.ly/GQtPh1 http://bit.ly/GQtPh1 and koding app http://bit.ly/17sCYmv http://bit.ly/17sCYmv, you can also visit https://www.koding.com https://www.koding.com if you dont want to download anything.