Laptop for software developer

[Grabow]

I'm looking for a laptop software development work that has great battery life, keyboard, and display. Would love it to be lighter, 3lbs or less. Most of what I do is java application work with front end web development work as well.

 

I feel like the M1 MacBooks are what I'm looking for hardware and form factor wise, but at work we use dell windows based laptops and my desktop for gaming and other stuff is also windows so I'm more familiar comfortable with windows.

 

Laptop Spec wish list

   14" screen (13" or 15" would also be fine if others are met)

   Ryzen 5000 series cpu(H version if possible, not opposed to 11th gen Intel devices)

   8GB(expandable memory) otherwise 16GB

   256GB storage(expandable as well) otherwise 512GB

   Exceptional keyboard

   Great display, doesn't need to be 4K but higher PPI the better!

   Thinness and lower weight are bonus points, I could take one or the other if other conditions are met.

[Slottr]

I would still keep the MacBook high in that list. It's an awesome device for this work and will die on that hill 

 

You could do for an XPS, but I found their 13" was a little too small.

[Grabow]

2 minutes ago, Slottr said:

I would still keep the MacBook high in that list. It's an awesome device for this work and will die on that hill 

 

You could do for an XPS, but I found their 13" was a little too sm

Yeah, I was thinking 13" was a little to small and 15" a little to big! What makes you so strong about M1 MacBook for this work?

[Slottr]

8 minutes ago, Grabow said:

Yeah, I was thinking 13" was a little to small and 15" a little to big! What makes you so strong about M1 MacBook for this work?

I bought an M1 for my last year of school. Has an amazing screen, awesome trackpad and keyboard. 

 

software wise: very snappy, even within Rosetta apps. I find it's easier to do just about anything having access to a Linux based terminal. Plus you get access to apple developer tools like Swift if you ever wanted to dip your toe into it

 

Definitely bumps in the road learning macOS but it's fairly intuitive and easy to troubleshoot if things go wrong.