Laptop recommendation - predominantly for software dev

Janko on 11/11/2016 - 16:01
Last edited 11/11/2016 - 16:13

Pretty partial to Thinkpads because of the trackpoint and not feeling flimsy, but would consider others:

8GB min, ideally 16GB.
256GB SSD min if single drive, 128GB SSD system drive if two drives.
14" screen max
1920x1080 min, IPS, 2540x1440 preferable, especially on 14"
No touchscreen
Battery life - 6+ hours
No DVD
Keyboard lighting
Prefer to pay more for quality.
CPU - 6200U level I'd say absolute min. Something good for virtualisation.
Keypad not necessary but at least have cursor keys and PgUp/… keys easily touch typed (like the X220's did), not crammed in somewhere.

Any recommendations appreciated.

Comments

psyren89 on 11/11/2016 - 16:19

Macbook Pro?
- Janko on 11/11/2016 - 16:23
  
  Good point! Not Apple.
Xyzzy on 11/11/2016 - 16:25

+1

If this works out Lenovo 50% off Laptops Lenovo might be the way to go.
- Janko on 11/11/2016 - 19:01
  
  Are Lenovo known for prejacking?
sly on 11/11/2016 - 16:44

+1

I like Metabox
bezza on 11/11/2016 - 16:49

+1

Dell Latitude 14 7000 E7470 - magnesium alloy build quality.

$1000 from the dell outlet.

HP Elitebook 1040 G3 - same price as a macbook 13" except it is indestructible.
- frankfu1122 on 12/11/2016 - 10:37
  
  Do you have the link for the dell outlet?
- Janko on 13/11/2016 - 16:18
  
  Had a look at the Dell - couldn't see a E7470 currently at the Dell outlet and was quite expensive new.
  
  Might wait to see if the Lenovo birthday sale happens.
scrimshaw on 11/11/2016 - 16:54

+1

If you really, really want the trackpoint and backlit KB you'd be looking at either a Dell Latitude or Lenovo thinkpad T series.
- Janko on 11/11/2016 - 17:07
  
  Didn't realise other brands had a trackpoint. Thanks.
kanad on 12/11/2016 - 20:43

I bought Lenovo Yoga 900 (16GB RAM, 512GB SSD) but the new 910 is even better. The only think I don't like is the USD Type-C. I tries cheapo adapters to HDMI from EBay and none of them work. Had to spend $70 at officeworks for an HDMI adapter that works. For me another criteria was light weight.