Laptop for programming - CS studies EU

[mePino]

Hello All helpful people

I noticed similar topics but can't seem to find the laptop I'm looking for. I have been researching the interwebs for weeks with the result of getting more confused everyday.
( do all laptops suck? )
So i have high hopes and trust in your guidance, since I'm not familiar with laptops in general.

What i have now:

mbp 13" 2015

 

what i'll be using it for

 

- web dev
- programming mainly Java / C#
- adobe suit (occasional)

- VM's ( will be running multiple OS and servers at the same time )
- NO gaming

what i'm looking for:

- 15"
- 16GB
- 512 SSD
- i7 gen9
- would be nice to be able to upgrade SSD and RAM (not the highest priority)
- HDMI port should be included
- portability is kinda important though so 2.0 - 2.5 kg would be nice

- battery life ( it would be nice if i don't need a powerbank )
- keyboard needs to be pleasant to type on, so no mbp
 

important note:

 

- first thing i'll do is format the disk

- probably run w10 on it dual boot with linux ( not sure yet if it will be dual boot or VM )

 

I've been looking into the xps 15 7590 ( unreliable? )
thinkpad X1 gen2 ( a hot mess? )
mbp ( unix is great but keyboard, port selection makes it a no go )

I'm getting frustrated since it seems like there is no good laptop at all.. so i'd appreciate the recommendations a lot. 
also since i'm in EU i need it to get here fast enough..( that's a major concern with lenovo - thinkpad to be honest.. i hear it takes +4weeks to get it )

 

budget: i'd like to be around 2000 euro, 2500 would be the max and then it would be having an amazing screen.

about the screen i really wonder if 4K is a big advantage on 15" i do like a lot of workspace. also any advice on matte vs glossy would be nice.

thanks in advance!

 

 

 

[5x5]

Personally, I'd get the X1 Extreme gen2. It's not a mess at all. Undervolt it and you're fine. The only time you'd have a runaway scenario is with an i9. The i7 9750H models are fine once you undervolt.

[mePino]

10 minutes ago, 5x5 said:

Personally, I'd get the X1 Extreme gen2. It's not a mess at all. Undervolt it and you're fine. The only time you'd have a runaway scenario is with an i9. The i7 9750H models are fine once you undervolt.

 

I'm not familiar with undervolt on laptops, i should be looking into that. Do you know if they changed internal design between gen1 and gen2? Since the gen2 is new i don't find a lot of feedback on performance?
Thanks for replying btw!

[5x5]

Just now, mePino said:

 

I'm not familiar with undervolt on laptops, i should be looking into that. Do you know if they changed internal design between gen1 and gen2? Since the gen2 is new i don't find a lot of feedback on performance?
Thanks for replying btw!

The cooling solution is similar. The issue is the fan profile is tuned for silence so you get some CPU throttling in heavy loads like gaming.

 

Undervolting is quite easy actually. Download the Intel XTU utility, set a negative core and cache offset (they are controlled by the same slider and should always be the same) and you're done. Test for stability and increase the undervolt. Typically, I start at -80mV and get most laptops to -100mV or thereabout. Some go higher, some settle at -90mV. It's very simple. The GPU can also be undervolted if you want to spend the time. That way you get a cool and quiet device.

[mePino]

9 hours ago, 5x5 said:

The cooling solution is similar. The issue is the fan profile is tuned for silence so you get some CPU throttling in heavy loads like gaming.

 

Undervolting is quite easy actually. Download the Intel XTU utility, set a negative core and cache offset (they are controlled by the same slider and should always be the same) and you're done. Test for stability and increase the undervolt. Typically, I start at -80mV and get most laptops to -100mV or thereabout. Some go higher, some settle at -90mV. It's very simple. The GPU can also be undervolted if you want to spend the time. That way you get a cool and quiet device.

Thanks, sounds easy enough to try out. I take it you own thinkpad yourself?
Can you guide me in terms of 16 vs 32 GB ?
Does Thinkpad come with lots of bloatware or is that relatively fair?
Would you opt for 4K or is there no real value?

I think i'm going for the thinkpad since i hear nothing but love from devs and sysadmins for the thinkpad. Only issue i have is the delivery time but that will only be a one-time issue..

[5x5]

With memory, it comes.down to how much you use and need.

 

The bloatware is usually minimal and you can just do a fresh OA install if you want a 100% clean install.

 

We have several ThinkPada at home, yes. All excellent devices. The oldest, a T420 has survived quite a bit of abuse in its 7 years of service including being drowned in coffee, dropped, hit and etc.

[mePino]

That is very good to hear since in my experience all other brands seem to die on me pretty soon.
And i like to use my devices for a couple years and not buy new ones every 2years.
I decided to go with the 16GB FHD X1 gen2. Thanks for your help!
 

[Mike21]

Mackbook pro 
thinkpad x1
Dell Xps 15