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Good Laptop for a programmer?

post #1 of 13
6/10/06 at 11:29pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,

Does anyone here use their laptop for software development? particularly java development using eclipse or other IDE? My current laptop is a compaq x1000 but this is very unportable (6.6lbs).

I was thinking of getting a lighter notebook, perhaps a 12.1 inch since it offers the best portability since I have to commute to school. but would the screen be too small? I am considering getting an x60.

Should I consider thin and lights? (4-5lbs) These laptops offer alot more flexibility in that I can actually get one that can be used for gaming. But I dont want to make the mistake of getting a laptop that is too inconvient to carry around.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 13
6/11/06 at 2:43am
whats your budget? Well are you ok with a 14" well if you are theres the s6j or its called something like that. Its made by asus. Also there is the 12" dell xps 1210. Go to the f/s section and you can find xps 1210s for good prices
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post #3 of 13
6/11/06 at 3:01am
If you want to be able to develop for 64 bit environment at some point in time I would take a look at the MSI MS-1058 dual core Turion 64 bit 12" notebook.
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post #4 of 13
6/11/06 at 3:19am
I have to recommend something bigger than 12" for programming. There simply isn't enough screen real-estate. My XPS M1210 has a 12.1" with 1280x800, and while I use it for very light development (although I'm on the M$ side of things) I wouldn't want to spend more than about 30 minutes writing code on a screen this size. I would say a WSXGA 15.4" screen would be a much better compromise if you are looking for something portable.
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post #5 of 13
6/11/06 at 4:13am
Personally, I have done quite a bit of development with Eclipse and now use it as my primary editor. Because of the HUGE number of panels I usually have open at the same time, I figured out through trial and error that 15" screens fit the bill perfectly. I had a non-widescreen laptop as my primary (a Dell i6000), and the screen was just big enough that I didn't ruin my vision, while at the same time having a good view of everything I needed. If you really want a lighter laptop, I would not recommend going below 14". That is, unless you want to be pulling your eyeballs out of your sockets after about an hour of staring at tiny characters .

Regards,

zakaluka2.
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post #6 of 13
6/11/06 at 11:13am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for hte input guys. I tried using 1024x768 res(same as an x60) on my 19inch lcd and it was terrible. Very little content was being displayed in each panel.

I have a 15.4 laptop right now and it just a pain to carry around. Perhaps 14inchers are the way to go.
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post #7 of 13
6/11/06 at 12:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by solidus88
Thanks for hte input guys. I tried using 1024x768 res(same as an x60) on my 19inch lcd and it was terrible. Very little content was being displayed in each panel.

I have a 15.4 laptop right now and it just a pain to carry around. Perhaps 14inchers are the way to go.

Maybe your carying case is the problem? Have you tried a backpack type case?
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post #8 of 13
6/11/06 at 12:49pm
My recommendation is a 14" WXGA+ (1440x900). Dell has one, I believe the model # is E1405 or something very close to that. Not small letters, and not big either, with a reasonable logical space.
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post #9 of 13
6/11/06 at 12:54pm
try the dell latitude d620. It weighs less than 4.5 pounds, and has a 1440x900 14" screen, which is a higher resolution than both your compaq and your desktop lcd.

Edit: ^ his post is referring to the same lcd. the difference between the 1405 and the d620 is that the 620 has both a trackpad and a touchpad and also has MUCH better build quality. It will cost you a bit more for the 620 though and the insides are basically identical.
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post #10 of 13
6/11/06 at 1:13pm
W3J much? But that would be overkill.
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post #11 of 13
6/11/06 at 1:32pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the suggestions. The lattitudes look really nice and they are really cheap. But that W3J looks so sexy lol.
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post #12 of 13
6/12/06 at 12:31am
Yes, but it has a smaller resolution. Remember that if you don't mind about standard aspect (4:3), there are lots of 14" and 15" with SXGA+ around. Greater than any wide 14" (no WSXGA+ on those).
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post #13 of 13
6/12/06 at 7:15am
I program in java and my advice is to get as high a res as possible. Extra real-estate is always a plus in my mind. Dell used to have a wuxga for there 15.4" model, I think it was called the i6000. I'd go to dell outlet and get one those personally. Real cheap too.
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