Looking for a programming Laptop

[Awkward_Couch]

Hey guys,

 

I'm currently working full time as well as getting an associates degree in Computer Programming.  I usually use my desktop at home, but I've been spending so much time on the road and outside my house that I think a laptop might be in order for me to do schoolwork wherever.  Right now we are working on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jquery, and some database design, next semester we will be doing C# I know for sure.  Are there any requirements that I should be looking out for when I'm looking at a laptop?  Ideally I would like at least 512 SSD, either an i3 or i5 (I think an i7 would be overkill and pricey), decent battery, and a good keyboard.  I'm hoping to spend around 1000-1100 USD. Any help would be much appreciated!

[ahuckphin]

I have no idea whether programming needs a powerful gpu or powerful cpu, but if not than LG's Gram looks promising  

[jake9000]

If your work doesn't have a 3d component then your needs are pretty light. 1100 can get you a pretty bangin computer. All-day battery is pretty much guaranteed if you don't need discrete graphics, for example.

I'm using a lenovo T480 as my workstation and I have an XPS 13 for personal use. Both are excellent machines! if you want to save money, have a look at last year's models on either Lenovo Outlet or Dell Warehouse. specs for non-gaming lappies have really plateaud the past few years so at that price point I don't think it's possible to get a bad lappy.

[genexis_x]

3 hours ago, Awkward_Couch said:

snip

Where are you from? Any preference on weight and display size? Prefer min how many hours of battery life?

[Awkward_Couch]

17 hours ago, GeneXiS_X said:

Where are you from? Any preference on weight and display size? Prefer min how many hours of battery life?

I live in South Dakota, weight doesn't matter to me, I'd like a 15.6in display but not really important.  I want a battery that would last 6 hours if possible.

[markr54632]

Pretty much anything with a semi recent processor and 8gb of ram can handle that workload.

 

I would go try keyboards at a local store. I tend to prefer the thinkpad, older mac keyboard, and as much as I hate msi laptops the steel series keyboards are usually pretty decent.

[genexis_x]

On 2/18/2019 at 7:54 AM, Awkward_Couch said:

I want a battery that would last 6 hours if possible

Would you mind if the laptop has bad battery life?

[Awkward_Couch]

On 2/19/2019 at 2:51 AM, GeneXiS_X said:

Would you mind if the laptop has bad battery life?

I mean I wouldn't mind terrible battery life, I would probably be near an outlet when I'm working most of the time.  As long as I could get like 2 hours of HTML and CSS coding out of it would be nice.

[genexis_x]

Dell XPS 15 iGPU - no dGPU

CyberpowerPC Tracer III 15 Xtreme (TongFang GK5CN67) - low sRGB IPS only

HP Omen 17 customize - bulky

*MSI GP63 8RE

Asus GL703GE

*CyberpowerPC Tracer III 15 Slim VR (TongFang GK5CN6Z) - thin and light

HP Omen 15 dc customize - 144Hz IPS

Lenovo Legion Y530 - 300 nits 72% NTSC

Eluktronics NB50TK1 (i7-8700)

Asus GL503GE

*Dell G7 7588 - low sRGB FHD IPS, OKish keyboard

 

All with i7-8750H CPU

*with 1060/1060MQ (within budget)

Upgrade RAM+SSD after purchase if not enough

[Awkward_Couch]

I ended up with a Lennova Yoga 730. I was looking at BestBuy and trying out keyboards just to see how they feel and I got this machine for 800.  Thanks for the help guys!