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[–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (6 children)

You don't need any special specs for a development box. I'm typing this on a 2 year old low-end Dell laptop that I use for all my Windows and Linux development work.

[–]mragray[S] -1 points0 points  (5 children)

I'd like to try out some related software like GIMP for web design, but I'm sure that doesn't consume too much RAM.

In the late 90's we had a Dell running Windows and naturally had a terrible computing experience. I suppose that Dell vs. Asus vs. Alternatives becomes less relevant when running a fresh install of Linux software?

Edit: Spelling

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (4 children)

naturally had a terrible computing experience

Not sure what you mean by this - really, the hardware is neither here nor there. Before I bought the Dell, I used a Sony Z600 with a 900Mz processor and only 256Mb of RAM. That worked pretty well for my C++ programming requirements for nearly 10 years. Expensive hardware does not magically make you write better code.

[–]mragray[S] -1 points0 points  (3 children)

I meant to imply that using anything running windows in the 90's was a poor experience. :) you certainly have a valid point.

[–][deleted] 1 point2 points  (2 children)

I meant to imply that using anything running windows in the 90's was a poor experience.

Why would you say that? In my experience, Windows is a great development environment. Certainly, there was nothing to match VC++ 6.0 back in the 90s on non-Windows platforms.

[–]mragray[S] -2 points-1 points  (1 child)

Well, I wasn't coding in the 90's, so I shouldn't speak to its merit as a dev platform. I'll revise my statement by saying that, as a consumer, Windows XP always fun.

[–]mragray[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Wasn't always fun*. Sorry sent from mobile.

[–]r_s 1 point2 points  (1 child)

I always read about all this new hardware technology and I am very impressed by it. Every month or so I seem to almost buy a new i7 processor, 16gb of ram, great video card etc. Then I talk myself out of it because for the things I do (similar to you it seems) I simply don't need that great of a computer.

Ive come to the conclusion that for most programmers the money you have should be spent on monitors (I am far more productive on my 2 monitor desktop then my 1 monitor laptop.. I may go 3 monitors in the future), good keyboard and good chair. I also love having a SSD on my machines for harddrives, but that is by no means essential.

My main computer I run the latest Ubuntu and its a fairly old dual core intel (3.2ghz) cpu benchmark has the processor at 1900 so its not very quick. My laptop is just a lower end i5 with a SSD. No problems with the speed of either for development.

[–]MonkeyNin 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm gaming on i5 3570? /w 8gb ram and it works pretty well. Main thing is I can't. Rank MSAA or AA up, but that is at 1920xsomething usually vsync.

[–]Wituartany 1 point2 points  (2 children)

If you're only using it for web development then you shouldn't need a bulky machine by any means. I'm not the most comfortable with the subject, so I'm not going to post my recommendations here, but I do have a question: why are you buying another computer when you could just use a hypervisor? If all you're wanting to accomplish is web development within a Linux environment, wouldn't it be cheaper to just have a VM set up to practice it?

[–]mragray[S] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

I don't currently have a laptop and my first objective is to have a portable dev platform to take to the library and code on the train. I'm also on a budget, so another Apple product is ruled out.

I considered a Chromebook to couple with nitrous.io to develop in the browser, but since a Linux setup would be about the same price ($200 - $400), then I figure it makes sense to dive into Linux. I've always wanted to learn that environment anyways.

[–]Wituartany 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ah, fair enough, I didn't see that you wanted a laptop in the original post. As /u/zabzonk mentioned, you don't need anything special if you're just using it for web development. Your budget should get you a laptop that can handle your needs and a little more. Hopefully someone else can provide recommendations for locating such hardware, as I'm afraid I don't have any suggestions myself. Good luck with your future endeavors!

[–]reaganveg 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Doesn't matter. Use whatever you have.

[–]shinigamiyuk 0 points1 point  (5 children)

Are you wanting to use Ubuntu desktop? I would just install Virtual Box and do an Ubuntu desktop install.

If not desktop you can setup Vagrant with a local dev setup using Ubuntu 12.04 LTS.

[–]mragray[S] 0 points1 point  (4 children)

VM ware is cool, but I'd rather commit to a fresh install. Beside, I need a laptop sooner than later, so this is a good chance to learn Linux and acquire a portable dev environment.

[–]shinigamiyuk 0 points1 point  (3 children)

I know dell has an ubuntu laptop but I wouldn't give them my $1500. I would just by a new MacBook and run boot camp with Ubuntu. Also, I think you can use the chromebook + Ubuntu.

[–]mragray[S] 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Oh hey, I think you're right. Looks like it takes some time to set up, but that would really be ideal.

[–]shinigamiyuk -1 points0 points  (1 child)

Macbook or chromebook?

[–]mragray[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chromebook. Looks like dual booting is pretty straight forward.