College Laptop

[shmittty89]

I'm just starting college and majoring in computer science. I don't think I need something powerful, I've really been into the 2013 Macbook airs battery life, but I'm not sure if OS X is good for programming. I'm looking for a 13 inch, 4 lbs or less lower is better, 6+ hours of battery life and will be released by the end of July up to $1500. I've thought of Aspire s3 or s7 but want other options.

[Godlygamer23]

These are the laptops I've found. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_five_bro_3?rh=n%3A172282%2Cn%3A541966%2Ck%3Alaptop%2Cp_n_size_browse-bin%3A3545275011%2Cp_72%3A1248879011%2Cp_n_feature_fourteen_browse-bin%3A2057440011%2Cp_n_feature_five_browse-bin%3A2257855011&keywords=laptop&ie=UTF8&qid=1372476834&rnid=2257851011

[Qazza]

Depends on the language, but OSX isn't all that bad for programming, especially if you're new to it and aren't used to any compilers or anything already. I've been looking for a new laptop myself and am thinking about an acer s7. Check out the Lenovo X series if you want something like that, but I also have a desktop readily available.

 

Samsung series 9 are also good imo

[shmittty89]

At stores I've tried last gen s7, series 9 samsung, and MBA. The S7 has a really shallow keyboard and didn't like typing on it, is this fixed on the new model? I loved the series 9 and the MBA but the mac has twice the battery but a lower res screen. When does the new Series 9 come out.

[shmittty89]

I'm pretty new to programming, so i don't have any preferences on how to do it, but I don't want to have to jump through hurdles to get things done on a mac

[Guest]

I'm in CS too, and there's tons of peoples with Macs. Most of the profs use Macs too, so it should be fine. Only bad thing about the MBA might the shallow keyboard, but otherwise it's a good laptop for CS, especially with the 12+ hours battery life.

[Lyons]

At stores I've tried last gen s7, series 9 samsung, and MBA. The S7 has a really shallow keyboard and didn't like typing on it, is this fixed on the new model? I loved the series 9 and the MBA but the mac has twice the battery but a lower res screen. When does the new Series 9 come out.

 

If the new MBA is anything like the rMBP, the keys are extremely shallow. It feels HORRIBLE to type on. My X220 is amazing  :D

[WoodenMarker]

The Thinkpad x series sounds good for you:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x230/?sb=:00000025:00003332:#features

[tomato]

The Thinkpad x series sounds good for you:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x230/?sb=:00000025:00003332:#features

+1 on this. Thinkpad all the way! All my CS friends have one.

[Zappy]

It'd be easier to make a suggestion on the Mac if we knew what language you were programming in, do they want you to code with specific software etc. Worse case on a Mac is you can install Windows

[Nirmal]

The Thinkpad x series sounds good for you:

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x230/?sb=:00000025:00003332:#features

Another +1 for this. I am using a 5 year old Thinkpad (W500) and it is pretty much perfect. Also the x230 has an optional ips display, albeit a bad ips screen, I heard that it was around 65% color gamut, but still an ips screen. I think that if you are just doing programming and nothing that relies on color accuracy, getting this would be a good idea.

If you end up getting the Thinkpad x230 make sure you get one with the optional "Premium HD" screen.

[shmittty89]

The lenovo has the specs i want, but it looks like a brick. I probably going to go in store to get a feel for the style. I don't get how it can be so light and be thick. Is it meant to be as durable as a brick, rather than a fragile ultrabook.

[bosnian_guy]

If you can get the new Acer Aspire S7

[WoodenMarker]

The lenovo has the specs i want, but it looks like a brick. I probably going to go in store to get a feel for the style. I don't get how it can be so light and be thick. Is it meant to be as durable as a brick, rather than a fragile ultrabook.

If you really want the ultrabook feel, then the X1 Carbon might be for you

http://shop.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/x-series/x1-carbon/?sb=:00000025:00003461:#features

 

Comparison Review between the X1 Carbon and the Air 2012: http://www.laptopreviews.com/lenovo-thinkpad-carbon-x1-vs-apple-macbook-air-13-comparison-video-2012-08

[amunj]

I think the macbook air 2013 would be a great choice. And if you don't think OSX won't be a good choice for programming you could always just use bootcamp and install either windows 7 or windows 8 on the macbook, but I would highly recommend buying a version with more storage then the 120gb if you are going to be running to OS.

[rashdanml]

+1 to the Thinkpad X series. The X230 can be upgraded with the 9-cell battery and 6-cell slice for a whopping total of 20 hours battery life. Only costs $230 or so for the upgrade over the base cost.

 

The X1 Carbon has a sleek and sexy look to it, but I'm not particularly a fan of the screen dipping below the keyboard. Other than that, no complaints about the X1.