Software Development Notebook

[seebhh]

I am looking for the best notebook for programming.
General brand of notebook?
specs?

Anyone have any past experiences good/bad?

 

[alexruiz]

If you want to minimize the time you will be compiling, get a K8 based notebook (Athlon 64 in mundane terms)

 

[TallCoolOne]

Look at eMachines' Athlon 64 models for a PC laptop. But also consider Apple's OS X operating system which is based on BSD, a Unix variant. This would mean a Powerbook if you'll be doing Unix, Java, or web development, and not any PC-specific software.

 

[AmigaMan]

Really it's the memory that makes the most difference. YOu don't compile the whole time you're coding, but having several apps open plus several projects and class files open all at once eats through memory like you wouldn't believe. I have a Pentium M 1.7Ghz with 1.5GB of memory and it's perfect for what I do. Next to memory, hard drive speed is next in importance. Unfortunately my HP/Compaq NC8000 only comes with a 5400 RPM HD, which isn't my first choice. I'd rather have a 7200 RPM drive. After the harddrive, I consider the LCD to be next in importance. My 1400x1050 isn't as good as my previous Dell C840's 1600x1200, but the quality is much better. I can stare for hours on end easier with my HP than I could with the Dell. Finally I would consider processor speed to be next in importance. You do need a speedy processor to help make those compile times shorter, but like I said, I don't sit around and compile code all day long, most of it is in "word processor" mode editing source files.
Of course this is all my opinion. But as a Java developer using IBM's Websphere Studio Application Developer plus having Apache, Websphere Application Server 5, several IE and Firefox windows, Outlook, and Musicmatch all open at the same time, my priorites may start to make sense. Your mileage may vary depending on the development you do.

As far as specific brands, I've only had experience with a couple Dell Latitudes and an HP/Compaq NC8000. My HP beats the Dells hands down in everything that I consider important. Quality and workmanship, speed, LCD, everything is better. While I have no experience with the Thinkpads, I'd be willing to bet that my HP's quality is up there next to IBM's.

 

[TJ69]

Widescreens are nice too. You get a little more space for the IDEs.

I have an eMachine M6807 (AMD64). It has worked for my CS classes thus far. I also plan on getting an Apple PowerBook. OS X, cooler looking java, *nix base, chick magnet .

 

[seebhh]

HAHA chick magnet....thanks for your help guys! LET THE SHOPPING BEGIN......!!!

 

[Wuzup101]

Apple Powerbook 15" or 17" or an IBM Thinkpad T series... those would be my personal choices depending on the stuff I was writing. I do a bit of programming and just purchases a Powerbook myself.

 

[kalster]

are you going to be building for windows?


i mean are you going to build in vc++/.net off your laptop or are you going to be working in solaris/linux, which means you will be using your laptop just to log into a server. if thta is the case anything will suffice

i dont really see why a athlon 64 based laptop is required, i dont think, Visual studio has a 64 bit edition, i think sticking with a centrino will be file, a smaller size will help if you are a student and want mobility