I am considering ordering a new laptop

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Ocius

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I am considering ordering a new laptop
« on: October 06, 2013, 02:38:29 PM »
In an unexpected turn of events, I have been granted, as a gift, the choice of a laptop. Now, I already have one in mind that I am heavily considering, but I'd just like to see what you all are using first and how you like it. Unlike Saddam, I like to discuss these things with skinny nerds first before making a purchase.

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Rushy

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2013, 03:06:54 PM »
What do you plan to use it for?

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Ocius

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2013, 03:28:38 PM »
What do you plan to use it for?

Web development, web browsing, programming, music, and possibly some light gaymen.

Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2013, 03:28:59 PM »
Install Gentoo.

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Lorddave

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2013, 03:34:56 PM »
What do you plan to use it for?

Web development, web browsing, programming, music, and possibly some light gaymen.
Ummm.... is that a typo?


Anyway, sounds like you want something with large screen, light weight, mid sized HDD, and a hefty battery life.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Ocius

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2013, 03:44:20 PM »
Anyway, sounds like you want something with large screen, light weight, mid sized HDD, and a hefty battery life.

Battery life and mobility are the two most important things.

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Rushy

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #6 on: October 06, 2013, 04:19:36 PM »
I use a Surface Pro, which is great for everything you mentioned except the battery life is (relatively) awful at 4.5 hours. The charger is compact and lightweight, so I carry it with me most of the time. Windows 8 is actually great on touchscreen devices. Stay away from it on any normal laptop, though. It is absolutely frustrating with only mouse and keyboard.

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Lorddave

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #7 on: October 06, 2013, 04:37:59 PM »
I use a Surface Pro, which is great for everything you mentioned except the battery life is (relatively) awful at 4.5 hours. The charger is compact and lightweight, so I carry it with me most of the time. Windows 8 is actually great on touchscreen devices. Stay away from it on any normal laptop, though. It is absolutely frustrating with only mouse and keyboard.
The surface (non pro) might be more up his alley.  The ARM chip gives the battery several more hours.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Rushy

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #8 on: October 06, 2013, 04:40:35 PM »
The surface (non pro) might be more up his alley.  The ARM chip gives the battery several more hours.

If he wants a laptop, he is probably looking for a full-blown computer. The Surface RT is just like the Kindle, iPad, etc.

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Ocius

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #9 on: October 06, 2013, 05:56:07 PM »
The Surface Pro is definitely mobile, but everything else about it I don't like. It seems a lot of laptop manufacturers are taking their sweet time getting models with Haswell CPUs rolled out. Oh, and it absolutely can't have a touchscreen.

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Lorddave

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #10 on: October 06, 2013, 06:16:07 PM »
The surface (non pro) might be more up his alley.  The ARM chip gives the battery several more hours.

If he wants a laptop, he is probably looking for a full-blown computer. The Surface RT is just like the Kindle, iPad, etc.
Yeah but if he's gonna do mostly web based coding, it's not like he needs much more than notepad.

Heck, throw on a good linux distro and he'll be all set.
You have been ignored for common interest of mankind.

I am a terrible person and I am a typical Blowhard Liberal for being wrong about Bom.

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Vindictus

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #11 on: October 06, 2013, 06:44:54 PM »
Oh, and it absolutely can't have a touchscreen.

Good luck.

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Parsifal

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #12 on: October 06, 2013, 10:11:31 PM »
My Chromebook would suit your needs pretty much exactly. It has amazing battery life and mobility, largely due to having an ARM CPU and thus not requiring a fan. Add solid-state storage, and there are no moving parts at all. Plus it doesn't have a touchscreen.

This is the American variant: http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/chrome-os-devices/XE303C12-A01US
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Ocius

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #13 on: October 06, 2013, 11:32:22 PM »
My Chromebook would suit your needs pretty much exactly. It has amazing battery life and mobility, largely due to having an ARM CPU and thus not requiring a fan. Add solid-state storage, and there are no moving parts at all. Plus it doesn't have a touchscreen.

This is the American variant: http://www.samsung.com/us/computer/chrome-os-devices/XE303C12-A01US

How well does your Debian install run on it? After seeing the shitty OS it comes with can be completely replaced, it's made the Chromebook more tempting.

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Parsifal

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #14 on: October 07, 2013, 12:19:09 AM »
How well does your Debian install run on it? After seeing the shitty OS it comes with can be completely replaced, it's made the Chromebook more tempting.

I'm not going to lie to you, it's not designed for installing another OS to be as easy as it would be on your typical desktop. It's not difficult if you know what you're doing, but it wasn't designed with that in mind, so you have to jump through a couple of hoops to get it installed, and doing so will void your warranty. Debian itself also needs a little tweaking after installation, since it's still a fairly new machine and some of the kinks haven't been worked out yet, although it's largely supported and being actively worked on.

That said, once it's up and running it works just fine. Personally, I have a fairly minimal X setup with the i3 window manager, but you can put whatever you want on there as long as it's packaged in Debian (or whichever distro you end up choosing).

You also wouldn't be entirely on your own with the installation. Aside from the Debian wiki's installation guide, you can always ask me if you're stuck. I would suggest considering going to a local Linux User Group if you're unfamiliar with Linux (I don't know if you are or not), though, as they can provide support in real time and are a greatly underrated resource for new users.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

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Thork

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #15 on: October 07, 2013, 12:53:32 PM »
The Surface Pro is definitely mobile, but everything else about it I don't like. It seems a lot of laptop manufacturers are taking their sweet time getting models with Haswell CPUs rolled out. Oh, and it absolutely can't have a touchscreen.
I get to use a surface pro in the office at work. Its horrible. Its neither a laptop, nor a tablet. Its a steaming turd.

Its really heavy. It weighs a frickin' ton. About 4 iPads.

The keyboard is shocking. If you take the keyboard off and use the tablet keyboard ... OMG you are stuffed.


I don't know about you, but I type on a tablet using one finger. MS for some un-Godly reason thought it would be genius to split the keyboard in half. This is not intuitive. In fact, its bloody madness.

It doesn't really do sharing which is an easy way to transfer files etc on a tablet. This makes it clumsy and annoying.

Its actually not that fast. Apps are optimised for arm processors and tend to run quick. Surface isn't giving you any improvement. In fact because its cocking about with anti-virus and other windows drivers and services, its slower to do a lot of things.

The surface also thinks its a laptop with a 1920x1080 screen. So everything is tiny. You can't read anything and pinch to zoom isn't as native as it is to proper tablets. Often it won't zoom and your finger is too big to select the tiny hyperlink or button you want from amongst others nearby.

My favourite is iPad. I just wouldn't buy anything else.
I have been surprised how good the Kindle HD fire is. I'd buy one if on a budget.
I also have to use the Nexus 10 in the office. Its the fastest tablet there is. I'd understand anyone wanting one. I just don't love it.

But get any of those before you buy a surface pro. If you want a laptop, get a laptop. A surface pro will ruin your life.
« Last Edit: October 07, 2013, 12:57:26 PM by Ævan »

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Rushy

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #16 on: October 07, 2013, 01:06:52 PM »
Its really heavy. It weighs a frickin' ton.

What the fuck? Are your arms wet noodles?

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Thork

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #17 on: October 07, 2013, 01:43:08 PM »
Its really heavy. It weighs a frickin' ton.

What the fuck? Are your arms wet noodles?
You know what my arms look like. I often post self-absorbed douche pictures of myself. I'm ripped.  :P

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Rushy

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #18 on: October 07, 2013, 02:32:20 PM »
Its really heavy. It weighs a frickin' ton.

What the fuck? Are your arms wet noodles?
You know what my arms look like. I often post self-absorbed douche pictures of myself. I'm ripped.  :P

I haven't seen any images of you. My computer disables all web images. Even if you do look 'ripped' then they must be inflatables, because the Surface Pro weighs the same as your average college notebook. Any adult that doesn't have the cardio of a sea cow could carry it for hours on end and not notice any fatigue.

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Thork

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #19 on: October 07, 2013, 02:47:54 PM »
Its really heavy. It weighs a frickin' ton.

What the fuck? Are your arms wet noodles?
You know what my arms look like. I often post self-absorbed douche pictures of myself. I'm ripped.  :P

I haven't seen any images of you. My computer disables all web images. Even if you do look 'ripped' then they must be inflatables, because the Surface Pro weighs the same as your average college notebook. Any adult that doesn't have the cardio of a sea cow could carry it for hours on end and not notice any fatigue.
Is not heavy like an industrial bag of potatoes. Its heavy compared to the competition and it feels so in your hands. If you are using it to read or play games, holding it in the same place for 2 hours is going to stiffen your wrists more than if you used something else.

I'm not suggesting it should be used for anchoring ships or working out. Its just not a tactile hand held object.

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Parsifal

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #20 on: October 07, 2013, 02:52:05 PM »
I'm not suggesting it should be used for anchoring ships or working out. Its just not a tactile hand held object.

That's what she said.
I'm going to side with the white supremacists.

Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #21 on: October 07, 2013, 04:52:05 PM »
Thork is wet noodles.

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Ocius

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #22 on: October 07, 2013, 07:23:44 PM »
How well does your Debian install run on it? After seeing the shitty OS it comes with can be completely replaced, it's made the Chromebook more tempting.

I'm not going to lie to you, it's not designed for installing another OS to be as easy as it would be on your typical desktop. It's not difficult if you know what you're doing, but it wasn't designed with that in mind, so you have to jump through a couple of hoops to get it installed, and doing so will void your warranty. Debian itself also needs a little tweaking after installation, since it's still a fairly new machine and some of the kinks haven't been worked out yet, although it's largely supported and being actively worked on.

That said, once it's up and running it works just fine. Personally, I have a fairly minimal X setup with the i3 window manager, but you can put whatever you want on there as long as it's packaged in Debian (or whichever distro you end up choosing).

You also wouldn't be entirely on your own with the installation. Aside from the Debian wiki's installation guide, you can always ask me if you're stuck. I would suggest considering going to a local Linux User Group if you're unfamiliar with Linux (I don't know if you are or not), though, as they can provide support in real time and are a greatly underrated resource for new users.

I figured that might be the case, however I would have purchased one long ago if I knew there was a way to install a new OS over Chrome. Right now, Linux is a hobby for me so I am maybe a few levels above beginner. I appreciate your feedback and once I really start to dig into it, I'll most likely consult your expertise.

In an even further twist of fate, the person buying the laptop for me said I could pretty much choose any laptop I wanted. So I am now posting from a shiny new 13 inch MacBook Air.

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Ocius

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #23 on: October 07, 2013, 07:39:16 PM »
Oh this is awesome.

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Rushy

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #24 on: October 07, 2013, 07:42:50 PM »
Any laptop? Ask for the most expensive Alienware garbage you can find, sell it on Ebay, buy your cheaper portable laptop, and pocket the difference.

Also, if you do this you're a total asshole.


Oh nevermind, I didn't read all of what you said. I hate max.

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Junker

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #25 on: October 07, 2013, 07:49:45 PM »
So I am now posting from a shiny new 13 inch MacBook Air.

This is probably the smartest thing you have ever done, ever.

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Ocius

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #26 on: October 07, 2013, 08:12:14 PM »
So I am now posting from a shiny new 13 inch MacBook Air.

This is probably the smartest thing you have ever done, ever.

It's an amazing little laptop. With a low brightness setting, it's showing 15 hours of battery life left.

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Junker

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #27 on: October 07, 2013, 08:34:45 PM »
So I am now posting from a shiny new 13 inch MacBook Air.

This is probably the smartest thing you have ever done, ever.

It's an amazing little laptop. With a low brightness setting, it's showing 15 hours of battery life left.

Yes, I got mine with 8GB RAM and the 1.7 Haswell and the battery lasts forever.

Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #28 on: October 07, 2013, 09:47:04 PM »
and pocket the difference.
He means use the difference to purchase whisky.

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Thork

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Re: I am considering ordering a new laptop
« Reply #29 on: October 07, 2013, 10:01:53 PM »
So I am now posting from a shiny new 13 inch MacBook Air.
I don't think you will regret that.

and pocket the difference.
He means use the difference to purchase whisky.
You should probably give your liver a little holiday.  :-\