Looking for a laptop for Web Development

citycm · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:14

What should I look for in a good laptop for web development? Should I go for a big screen or will something like a 13" be ok?

What OS? Should I go with a Mac with OSX or something with Vista/Windows 7?

Thanks

Izi · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:33

I am buying a dell studio xps 16 tomo. seems the best alternative to macbook.

i am getting mine with a SSD hard drive, so visual studio will kick but compiling.

it also has a 1080p resolution. a 13 inch screen will only have 1280x800 ish.

i would recommend windows 7, its fantastic. i only have limited use with osx, the os is nice, but i think windows 7 equals it and you have more freedom imo.

citycm · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:40

Izi said:
I am buying a dell studio xps 16 tomo. seems the best alternative to macbook.

i am getting mine with a SSD hard drive, so visual studio will kick but compiling.

it also has a 1080p resolution. a 13 inch screen will only have 1280x800 ish.

i would recommend windows 7, its fantastic. i only have limited use with osx, the os is nice, but i think windows 7 equals it and you have more freedom imo.

Thanks. I like the look of the Studio 17 because at the moment you can get it with 6GB Ram and 2 x 320GB hard drives for £729...seems a bargain. However, the screen is 1440x900.

reflux · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:49

You'll want a big and high resolution screen, plus a dual or even quad core for running multiple apps. Lots of RAM won't be a bad idea either.

Izi · 31 Aug 2009 at 22:54

and make sure you get at least a 7200rpm hdd

citycm · 31 Aug 2009 at 23:17

Thanks. I will be using my desktop for the bulk of the work - my desktop is a Quad core 2.4GHz with 6GB Ram, 2 x 500GB hard drives, I will be buying 2 x 24" screens.

Yeah, I agree about the 7200rpm hard drives.

citycm · 31 Aug 2009 at 23:36

so is Dell really the only option vs Mac?

radderfire · 31 Aug 2009 at 23:43

I favour a 15.4" widescreen, I would find a 13" too annoying, especially when working with Dreamweaver.

Rgds

Izi · 31 Aug 2009 at 23:51

citycm said:
so is Dell really the only option vs Mac?

sony fw's are nice, but from my research the dell studio xps's are getting best reviews.

citycm · 1 Sep 2009 at 00:00

radderfire said:
I favour a 15.4" widescreen, I would find a 13" too annoying, especially when working with Dreamweaver.

Rgds

Thanks. Yeah, that's what I'm worrying about. However, I rarely use dreamweaver. I'm thinking I either need 15" or 17".

Izi said:
sony fw's are nice, but from my research the dell studio xps's are getting best reviews.

Yeah, I had a Sony FW but gave it to my dad. I really liked it, but I think they're quite expensive for the specs.

citycm · 1 Sep 2009 at 00:31

How important will the graphics card be? What would be the best one to go for?

Izi · 1 Sep 2009 at 11:25

citycm said:
How important will the graphics card be? What would be the best one to go for?

I could be wrong, but for development work its not that important. Other than Photoshop, nothing which is being developed will require much GPU.I would have thought any integrated GFX card would do, but to be safe, any standalone GFX will do.