Ask HN: Laptop Suggestions?

[BenWhit]

Hey Hacker News, I am in the market for a new laptop and have a few ideas but want to hear your guys suggestions or forewarnings about whats out there. I'd like to keep it in the $500 range but a little more (if it's worth it) is ok.

It's main use will be for all my dev work and a little graphic design here and there. I won't be doing a whole lot of gaming and will most likely be putting a Linux OS (in addition to whatever it comes pre-installed with) on it a somepoint.

Any suggestions? Thanks and Happy Holidays!

[bbissoon]

LENOVO THINKPAD - clear and simple choice.

http://www.lenovo.com/products/us/laptop/thinkpad/

[freehunter → bbissoon]

I would second a Thinkpad. They're exactly in the price range of "you get exactly what you pay for". Worlds more reliable than your bargain-bin Dell/HP/etc, and generally far less expensive than a Macbook. They're not terribly stylish, but I think they have a certain rugged timelessness to them. They're designed like a business suit, and serve the same function. They look like they could survive a nuclear blast, and they might actually do it, too. Lenovo doesn't push form over function.

One thing that holds them back is the Red Hat nature to their hardware. Bleeding edge isn't in the name. BluRay and USB3 are available on some models, but not all and not standard (at least last time I checked). They are machines made for solid work, with solid keyboards and solid screens. Lenovo ThinkVantage is also a decent piece of software if that's up your alley.

If you want a laptop that's worth its weight in productivity, this is the one to buy. There's a reason they're the unchallenged standard in corporate America.

[BenWhit → bbissoon]

Lenovo Thinkpad Edge430 looks like a great deal.

[khyryk → BenWhit]

How good of a display are you expecting? With the exception of some IPS options and the 15" TN panels, ThinkPad displays are often average to below-average. If you have an external monitor you'll be using for your graphic design, then this isn't as important.

[autotravis]

Hmm... that's a tough price range. The two laptops I bought in that range (Gateway MT6729 and HP dv6700, i think) were bought in 2008 and are long gone. They lasted all of 2 years max, so I would consider them to be of low quality. And that's the problem with ~$500 machines.

I don't use MacBooks anymore because they make it difficult for me to get a Linux distro on them, but I have had two and they lasted considerably longer. Unfortunately, there seems to be a high correlation with increase in price and increase in quality.

So it's not pretty, but I have had good luck with a thinkpad once upon a time (at a higher price point). So in the end, here is my tangible recommendation: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834310...

[BenWhit → autotravis]

The laptop I have now..or had..is an HP Dv7. I missed the recall date on the Motherboard problems and it just recently died on me. It lasted about 2 years but I'd like to avoid HP's if I can. I added the last part about linux distro because its why I tend to avoid Macs (the price too), but what about running a VM instead of dual-boot?

Anyway, thanks for the suggestions!

[autotravis → BenWhit]

VMs are always an option, but I'm also an efficiency maniac, so running two OS's and the decrease in battery life that comes with that bothers me.

[rman666 → autotravis]

Pretty impressive! What if the needs were the same but the price point was increased to say $750 max?

[lsiebert]

I use a lenovo T530 and it does quite well under Linux. But it was not $500, even with a significant discount. Think pads are known for being good for Linux.

However, you might want to get a brand like clevo or sager, where you can build your own system.

I know there is a suggest a Laptop sub reddit, where they may be able to point you to a good setup.

You also could look for a used system, or one with a bad hd you can replace.

Best of luck, sorry I couldn't help more.

[mblake]

Go with a Lenovo as someone else recommended, or get an Asus G46VW; sadly twice your budget, but it's of amazing quality.

[shail]

A (not so much of a suggestion) different take. Why not get a mac mini if portability is not too much of a requirement. Its priced around $600 and will serve you really well for years to come.

You can also run VM on it without worrying about battery obviously.

[lsiebert]

Oh, I recall someone who used a arm android tablet with a keyboard as a thin client to a always online desktop pc. Or you can boot linux directly on a chrome book. You could explore those.