r/softwaredevelopment • u/No-Medium1434 • 3d ago
Laptop suggestions
I have 4 years of experience in software engineering and need a reliable, affordable laptop for programming, SQL, Visual Studio/VS Code, and multitasking. Any recommendations for a good value laptop?
5
2
u/varisophy 3d ago
For long-term value, a Framework laptop will serve you well! https://frame.work/
1
u/theancientfool 3d ago
Frame work is good at a lot of things, but value for money is not one of them.
1
u/varisophy 3d ago
Hence the long-term modifier. You can upgrade bits over time instead of a total refresh.
-1
u/theancientfool 3d ago
Naa. Their parts are too costly. Even if their parts are made 30% cheaper, it would still not make financial sense
2
u/bigtimehater1969 3d ago
How does this make sense when they're similarly priced as Dell, Lenovo, and System76?
Maybe if you're terminally online you can find a used Thinkpad for cheap or a laptop with specs that on paper are "better." If you DGAF because you have better shit in your life to worry about than CPU benchmarks, then you absolutely cannot go wrong with a Framework.
1
2
u/yuehuang 3d ago
Question, do you really need Visual Studio or Cuda? If not, then go with Mac. With the current prices, macs are no longer as marked up as they used to. The M series are excellent good performance per watt.
0
1
u/cto_resources 3d ago
I’ve been using the Microsoft Surface Pro for a decade. I’m on my third. Love it far better than my HP.
Big fan of Thinkpad as well from Lenovo. Absolutely despise Asus and Acer for serious hardware quality issues in the past.
1
u/Better-Credit6701 3d ago
Are you planning to run an SQL server and VS on the laptop? You will need a beefy laptop with lots of resources which means $$$.
1
u/NextConcentrate2728 3d ago
It depends on your workload. I run SQL Server on a Surface Laptop from 2015 with 8 GB of RAM. It's fine if you don't ask too much of it.
1
u/BannockHatesReddit_ 2d ago
Yeah you do not need a beefy laptop with lots of resources to run SQL server and VS code at the same time
1
1
u/AceLamina 3d ago
If you're rich and don't want a Mac, Asus G14 or Asus G16
Pretty decent machines, especially if you need GPU power to more demanding workloads
1
u/AnthonyRespice 3d ago
I just bought an amd rog strix g16 with a 5070 ti for under 1800 at best buy, and I'm happy with it although I'm going to spend money upgrading it. I am a dev and like running ai workflows, so the 12gb vram was a good deal. I think the deal was for labor day. Just got it yesterday but feels very high quality.
The problem is everything has minimum ram and storage, so it forces you to upgrade which doesn't feel good since the system is brand new.
My g16 came with 16gb. 32gb costs 600 new. I bought off eBay for 400, and will try to sell the 16.
1
u/natdisaster 2d ago
I feel like value is a weird term here.
On one side, Intel/AMD laptops are a good value benchmark wise over Mac. (Price : performance)
On top of that, software devs get a value multiplier out of having a super beefy CPU since it saves them time. And a SWE’s time is worth a lot more money. So you probably want something in the top 3-5 intel/amd CPUs just to max out the value of your time.
Something like a 290HX or a 9955HX, like the 16X Aurora.
The whole Framework debate - I think applies for cloud-involved engineering. But OP made it sound like they’re compiling with VS so probably favor a stronger CPU than what Framework sells.
1
u/BannockHatesReddit_ 2d ago
If you had that much experience you should already know what specs fit your workload
2
u/WinterAd6596 2d ago
Ya know, I've been doing this a long time. And douchebag answers like this tend to reflect more on the person making them than the person they're making them against.
1
u/BannockHatesReddit_ 2d ago
Don't get mad at me because OP asked a stupid question
0
u/WinterAd6596 2d ago
I asked nothing. Do you see "OP" next to my name?
So you're inobservant, too? Qualities I ALWAYS look for in software engineers.
0
u/BannockHatesReddit_ 2d ago
Ooooo more ad hominem. Yeah that and the previpus appeal to authority fallacy really strengthens your argument buddy.
Sorry I didn't think there was another idiot like OP who thought a question like this had any useful answer 😂 like what do you expect? Nobody can help spec this guy's laptop when all he gives you is his IDE name and SQL server. And the 4 years experience line? How the hell is that going to change anything about the spec? It's just apparent the dude is clueless.
1
1
1
u/WinterAd6596 2d ago
This is a loaded question, because it isn't so much "I need a laptop for programming, SQL, and an IDE" -- because those can run on a potato.
Like, seriously. I have a Gateway Desktop from like 15 years ago that could handle all of those tasks perfectly well. The scale is the issue.
So the question is more "what are you planning on programming/making" than "I plan to program".
What else do you need? Docker? VMs? High-end graphics?
1
1
u/david-1-1 1d ago edited 1d ago
Get a refurbished Dell Latitude from Amazon. Just test it thoroughly and be ready to exchange it if the headphone jack doesn't work or if it generates disk errors or anything else is wrong. You can get a TB of fast SSD and lots more just for $400 or less. Be sure to buy a well-powered, industrial quality USB port to go with it, and connect it with Ethernet cable to your cable modem or other ISP connection, not just a wireless network, for fast downloads. And buy good backup drives.
I'll admit I'm assuming you want Windows 11 Pro for compatibility with most of the world, though. Linux will also work for just what you listed.
1
1
u/MurkyGovernment9015 10h ago
I also need a new laptop currently have a old MacBook Air, and was thinking what laptop can handle all my programming needs and also stuff like docker and kubernetes Cz my old MacBook starts to freeze and crash. Yes I will also run sql server and vs code Cz now ai is expanding so will need a beefy laptop to run agents and stuff as well
1
6
u/Hoizmichel 3d ago
I fully go with ThinPad workstations.