How to choose a lightweight laptop for a web developer?

habracut2012-05-15 02:55:21

Iron

habracut, 2012-05-15 02:55:21

What I'm looking for:
- a light laptop for work (web development - PS, 2-3 browsers, PyCharm, etc.)
- a fairly new and powerful processor (intel i5-2xxx +)
- SSD as a system disk (128 GB minimum)
- RAM > 8GB - important moment, I would like to disable the paging file completely (+ additional free space on the SSD) -
matte screen
- spill-proof (the keyboard can be wet ) resolution 1378x768 (ideally I would like FullHD or 1600x900) - you need an external HDD for torrents and photo collections - a slow SSD + up to 10gb RAM (2 + 8 SODIMMs: you can do it yourself

upgrade without losing the warranty)
+ the battery lasts up to 8 hours
+ 3 years warranty
+ if necessary, you can put a 5Ghz WiFi module Intel Centrino Advanced-N 6230 Mini PCI Express instead of the standard 2.4GHz
+
Lenovo thinkpad t420s
looks good - the "fn" button on place ctrl
- no HDMI output
-/+ looks like a tank
+ 1600x900
+ up to 16gb RAM
+ you can put an HDD in the DVD compartment (caddy adapter on ebay for $ 10)
+ 3 year warranty
What to choose?
Point out additional cons / pros of these laptops or please suggest an alternative.

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15 answer(s)

super, 2012-05-15
@super

See Apple laptops. Of all the web developers I talk to, they all work on either MacBook (Pro, Air) or iMac and are very satisfied:
- No viruses, which means that malware will not steal FTP passwords from you and will not upload viruses to your sites , no need to bother buying antiviruses
- OS X is Unix, which means all Unix commands are available, etc.
- high quality iron

avorobiev, 2012-05-15
@avorobiev

Macbook Air. I have been using it for development for 1.5 years, very satisfied.

Mezomish, 2012-05-15
@Mezomish

A small note about: Lenovo Ctrl and Fn keys can be rebinded in BIOS. But I didn’t - I got used to it in a couple of days. And without any problems I switch from it to a working desktop (with a regular keyboard) and back.
I have a T400 myself. In September it will be 4 years since I took it. Of the problems - the dividuk does not write (I think it is necessary to calibrate / clean it, but laziness - I still do not use it) and the battery sank to ~ 80% capacity. Actually, everything.
The water resistance of the keyboard has been tested - I accidentally knocked over a bottle of beer :)

couatl, 2012-05-15
@couatl

Asus Zenbook ux31
- glossy, but very bright and you can not glue a matte film
- there are 4GB of memory, but it's easy to expand
and so much more than suits you
Model: Intel Core i5 / Core i7
RAM: 4096 (DDR3-1333)
Data storage: SSD 128/256 GB
Video: Intel HD Graphics 3000
Diagonal (inch): 13.3
Resolution: 1600x900
Network: Wi-Fi (b/g/n), Bluetooth
Ports HDMI, VGA, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, headphone/microphone jack, SD card reader

Ivan, 2012-05-15
@dohlik

> you need an external HDD for torrents and photo collections
> resolution 1378x768 (ideally I would like FullHD or 1600x900)
> no HDMI output
Ie . Do you also want to use it as a torrent rocker + media server? Better buy a separate NAS for this case. At the same time, the requirements for screw volumes will decrease. You look, and 128GB SSD is enough (and HDD may not be needed).

Anton, 2012-05-15
@CDW

try Lenovo Thinkpad X220. In some modifications, this is exactly what you need. Still, such a model can be very good - Acer TRAVELMATE 8481TG - market.yandex.ru/model.xml?modelid=7699025&hid=91013
In my opinion, Acer has everything you need. The only drawback is the weight - 1.7 kg. But I would not say that this is a lot, I often carry the Asus U31 with me and do not particularly notice it.

v0rtex, 2012-05-15
@v0rtex

Sony VAIO VPC-Z21X9R
- light laptop for work - 1.175 kg ok
- quite new and powerful processor (intel i5-2xxx+) - Core i5 2300 MHz ok
- SSD as system disk (128 GB minimum) - 128 GB solid state (SSD) ok
- RAM > 8GB - an important point, I would like to disable the paging file completely (+ additional free space on the SSD) - 4096 MB DDR3 memory fail
- matte screen - ok
- spill-proof (keyboard can be wet) - fail
+ 13.1 inches, 1600x900
+ 3G (UMTS)
+ HDMI
Full description market.yandex.ru/model.xml?modelid=7345023&hid=91013
Price from 44,500 on the market.

avgurus, 2012-05-15
@avgurus

420s looks like an elegant tank, unlike a simple 420) the lack of hdmi is treated with an adapter. it's bad that there is a 7mm high HDD bay, as in x220 - ordinary drives are all 9.5mm. but the ultrabay (caddy) is high, you can buy a second battery there by the way. it’s still not very good that you can’t put a capacious battery, but 4 hours is usually enough for a lot) but otherwise a very cool laptop, like most thinlpad)

qteb, 2012-05-15
@qteb

How about Sony VAIO SA(SB) series? (unless there is spill-proof)

phpclub, 2012-05-15
@phpclub

Asus Zenbook ux31 + latest ubuntu

cepera_ang, 2012-05-15
@cepera_ang

How about such an announced machine? 14", Lenovo, weight 1.4. www.cnews.ru/news/line/index.shtml?2012/05/15/489461

eternal2000, 2012-06-07
@eternal2000

Acer S3 with 3rd gen i7 and Crucial M4 SSD, running Ubuntu

cepera_ang, 2012-05-15
@cepera_ang

Wait until June =) There, HP will present new Elitebooks - they seem to fit in all respects. From myself - I have an elite book of the last generation, I will change it only for the same one, the only drawback is the weight (but I have 15 "and this is fixed in the new ones).

mihavxc, 2012-05-15
@mihavxc

I've been working on thinkpad t520 for the last week. FN infuriates a little, and in general I'm still getting used to the clave, but it's a great machine. And surprisingly light, although it looks like a tank)

SuperSonic, 2012-05-19
@SuperSonic

Try to go to the store and try macbook air, there will be no questions left.