Comments on: The right development machine http://rokham.org/2009/01/the-right-development-machine/ The experience of a Torontonian entrepreneur Sun, 20 May 2012 22:06:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Andrew http://rokham.org/2009/01/the-right-development-machine/#comment-17 Andrew Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:12:42 +0000 http://rokham.org/?p=65#comment-17 Both Mac's and Lenovo's are over priced. (and remember they are not IBM's anymore) There are plenty of good machines out there that are just as dependable at a fraction of cost. I understand the sex appeal of a Apple, but to be honest PCs are a much better choice. Upgradability, dependability, and power are unmatched in the Mac world. I've heard mixed reviews for Dell's but I wouldn't look past em. I've had my Acer for about 3 years now as my main machine. It's still running like a champ. I suggest you do a bit more research and don't try to be so brand loyal. Both Mac’s and Lenovo’s are over priced. (and remember they are not IBM’s anymore) There are plenty of good machines out there that are just as dependable at a fraction of cost. I understand the sex appeal of a Apple, but to be honest PCs are a much better choice. Upgradability, dependability, and power are unmatched in the Mac world. I’ve heard mixed reviews for Dell’s but I wouldn’t look past em. I’ve had my Acer for about 3 years now as my main machine. It’s still running like a champ. I suggest you do a bit more research and don’t try to be so brand loyal.

]]> By: Jared O'Toole http://rokham.org/2009/01/the-right-development-machine/#comment-16 Jared O'Toole Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:17:26 +0000 http://rokham.org/?p=65#comment-16 If your an entrepreneur I don't think there is anyway to go except a laptop. Being mobile is what keeps the creative juices going. I spend anywhere from 8-12hrs a day on my laptop but probably no more then 3hrs in any one place. I just got a macbook and its amazing. Would never want anything else. Had a Dell basically stopped working. If your an entrepreneur I don’t think there is anyway to go except a laptop. Being mobile is what keeps the creative juices going. I spend anywhere from 8-12hrs a day on my laptop but probably no more then 3hrs in any one place.

I just got a macbook and its amazing. Would never want anything else. Had a Dell basically stopped working.

]]> By: Meto B http://rokham.org/2009/01/the-right-development-machine/#comment-13 Meto B Wed, 07 Jan 2009 04:39:14 +0000 http://rokham.org/?p=65#comment-13 Interesting post dude... however, while I agree with almost everything you've posted so far, can't say the same for this post. Keep in mind this is only applicable to computers whose specific purpose is development. To begin, a laptop as a type of personal computer is not designed for development. Any laptop isn't healthy if one uses it for a long time - small keyboard, small monitor, no mouse, people tend to slouch on it, the wrists are in the worst possible position and give it a few years, and ones body changes drastically whether you notice it or not. Having said that, for a developer I'd strongly recommend a desktop with a nice 22" monitor elevated at eye line, ergonomic keyboard, LOTS of memory and if not the latest CPU out there, not later than the second latest - one will be running web servers, databases, development environments, debugging tools, all at the same time, so any time one waits for that progress bar to move gives them time to go on a tangent. Another issue when going "laptop" is the budget. For the price of an Apple MacBook Pro (with a 15.4" monitor) or a high end IBM/Lenovo one can get a much higher end development desktop with a 22" external monitor (from DELL for example). True, it isn't mobile and one can't take it to the library, but this is a development machine, and development almost never takes place at a public venue - spending 12 hrs/day on it. Now, if one still decides to go with a laptop, I'll have to disagree with your 2 choices, in particular with the one you recommend - the Apple. Apple's products (emphasis on laptops) are expensive to buy, upgrade and repair, yet very gentle. I dropped my MBP while it was in my Oakley bag (you know the one) from about 1 foot - this is a $200 bag that has a compartment made specifically for laptops, with sponges, the whole shebang. The little hinge that locks the lid on the laptop broke, and Apple wanted $600 + labor to replace the ENTIRE chassis of the laptop - and development machines get way worse treatment over the course of their lifetime. Dave (CSSU) wanted to buy a replacement charger for his MacBook, I think he paid $130 (?!). Ali wanted to replace his charger as it almost set his apartment on fire, spent endless hours on the phone trying to outsmart some "Genius" to get what's rightfully his. I may be biased due to my horrible experience with my MacBookPro, but these are facts. As far as IBM/Lenovo goes, no doubt. These are monsters. HDD has drop protection, inside the laptop has some gel (some models) to absorb the shocks... #1 workplace laptop money can buy right now. Ugly, but if one is in development, really, appearances are the least of the concerns. One needs a reliable and fast machine before a pretty one. The shitty speakers, shitty wifi software, other software that comes with it - I think are irrelevant. A developer will setup his own software suite, and will use headphones anyway :) For #2, I'd have to go with a DELL. I had a DELL @ NexJ, its not an IBM, but its still pretty solid. Some $30/year/machine buys priority support, so you dial 1 number and the first "hello" you hear is from a person, not an answering system, not to mention that the company had only 1 broken laptop (of 40) in a year - the tech guy said that when we had a similar talk. Anyway, nice effort with the posts. Keep up the good work! C ya soon! Interesting post dude… however, while I agree with almost everything you’ve posted so far, can’t say the same for this post. Keep in mind this is only applicable to computers whose specific purpose is development.

To begin, a laptop as a type of personal computer is not designed for development. Any laptop isn’t healthy if one uses it for a long time - small keyboard, small monitor, no mouse, people tend to slouch on it, the wrists are in the worst possible position and give it a few years, and ones body changes drastically whether you notice it or not. Having said that, for a developer I’d strongly recommend a desktop with a nice 22″ monitor elevated at eye line, ergonomic keyboard, LOTS of memory and if not the latest CPU out there, not later than the second latest - one will be running web servers, databases, development environments, debugging tools, all at the same time, so any time one waits for that progress bar to move gives them time to go on a tangent.

Another issue when going “laptop” is the budget. For the price of an Apple MacBook Pro (with a 15.4″ monitor) or a high end IBM/Lenovo one can get a much higher end development desktop with a 22″ external monitor (from DELL for example). True, it isn’t mobile and one can’t take it to the library, but this is a development machine, and development almost never takes place at a public venue - spending 12 hrs/day on it.

Now, if one still decides to go with a laptop, I’ll have to disagree with your 2 choices, in particular with the one you recommend - the Apple. Apple’s products (emphasis on laptops) are expensive to buy, upgrade and repair, yet very gentle. I dropped my MBP while it was in my Oakley bag (you know the one) from about 1 foot - this is a $200 bag that has a compartment made specifically for laptops, with sponges, the whole shebang. The little hinge that locks the lid on the laptop broke, and Apple wanted $600 + labor to replace the ENTIRE chassis of the laptop - and development machines get way worse treatment over the course of their lifetime. Dave (CSSU) wanted to buy a replacement charger for his MacBook, I think he paid $130 (?!). Ali wanted to replace his charger as it almost set his apartment on fire, spent endless hours on the phone trying to outsmart some “Genius” to get what’s rightfully his. I may be biased due to my horrible experience with my MacBookPro, but these are facts.

As far as IBM/Lenovo goes, no doubt. These are monsters. HDD has drop protection, inside the laptop has some gel (some models) to absorb the shocks… #1 workplace laptop money can buy right now. Ugly, but if one is in development, really, appearances are the least of the concerns. One needs a reliable and fast machine before a pretty one. The shitty speakers, shitty wifi software, other software that comes with it - I think are irrelevant. A developer will setup his own software suite, and will use headphones anyway :)

For #2, I’d have to go with a DELL. I had a DELL @ NexJ, its not an IBM, but its still pretty solid. Some $30/year/machine buys priority support, so you dial 1 number and the first “hello” you hear is from a person, not an answering system, not to mention that the company had only 1 broken laptop (of 40) in a year - the tech guy said that when we had a similar talk.

Anyway, nice effort with the posts. Keep up the good work! C ya soon!

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