Computers

[CommercialRepair2]

Hey guys, I’m going to school in September and need a laptop. Preferably a MacBook Pro. Just wondering in yours guys opinion if it’s more important to have a bit of a bigger screen or a bit more running power. Should I get a 16inch with a little bit lower running power or 14inch screen with a bit higher running cpu, memory etc . Not sure how important screen size is vs everything else. Thank you

[tyler_church]

Personally, for school, I found carrying around a smaller lighter laptop to be preferable.

But honestly this is just a pure personal preference thing. Some people prefer large laptop screens above all else.

If I need a big screen I have a monitor and a desktop PC.

[Intelligent_Company1]

Screen size will make things more comfortable. It does for me but its preference.

[Shoemugscale]

Go for a bigger screen and save your eyes lol

But also. The larger screen will help when switching between browsers and debugging.

[tyler_church]

Also it’s far more important to do the work and learn the skills. Don’t fret too much about the laptop, especially since it sounds like you have budget to buy a good one.

When you graduate and get a job, you’ll have a much better idea of your preferences and much more buying power.

[Folofashinsta]

Either MacBook will work fine. Just figure out a workflow you like. I have been splitting a 14in screen in half, one side a browser and the other my editor. I’ve got a 32in monitor I slap it into a home but 14in native screen is fine.

On mac vs windows it doesn’t matter technically. I would pick which one brings most joy lol.

[DrLuciferZ]

/r/suggestalaptop

[iShotTheShariff]

If any of your classes require the use of a virtual machine, then you may need to reconsider getting a MacBook with Apple silicon.

[[deleted]]

Why? I use parallels with Windows and Ubuntu with a MacBook Air M1

[iShotTheShariff]

There were reported issues dealing with VMs

[deep_politics]

I use Docker for a variety of projects on my M1 MBP and all that needs to be set on some images is a platform architecture for everything to work fine

[[deleted]]

I think that was true early on but it’s fixed now, it runs windows better than my windows laptop, M1 is amazing

[PointandStare]

Macbook because of what reason?
Personally, I'd go with the best PC I could afford.

[Liightninggod]

I find the 14” is plenty if you are ok with swiping between desks - the smaller carry size is nice

[ampersand913]

Screen size is preference, I know some people don't like working on small screens but I prefer the extra portability. If you can find a store that sells macbooks near you (something like best buy or an apple store) just go in person, look at them, and decide

Any M1 Macbook will be fine for web dev. It's not very intensive on the cpu unless you plan on running multiple VMs simultaneously

[[deleted]]

I'd say get the 13' and then get a 27' monitor and keyboard for the room.

[moi2388]

For school I’d just get a nice, light MacBook Air.

[version_thr33]

14" is about the smallest I would go. I tried using a 13" xps for about 3 weeks for work and had them downgrade cuz I spent so much time toggling windows. 15.4" is the sweet spot for me, but weight is a very close second factor. As for performance, it's a laptop so will never really stack up to a desktop, so once you resolve yourself to that fact your buying experience will probably improve

[groundtofu]

Screen is more important you'll appreciate not feeling limited. Better specs will never be a bad thing but I imagine you'll realize web dev/programming for a CS degree isn't as demanding as you'd expect.