Buying a new laptop for software development

[James Constance]

Hi

I'm new to windows programming, but I would like to develop a GUI for engines, reading pgn etc. I'm about to buy a new laptop and my question is whether there are certain things that are essential or very useful that the laptop should have for software development?

Also, here in Bangkok, most of the latest laptops have 15.6 inch screens or smaller, usually at 1366x768. Will this be large enough or do you think it would be better to compromise on some other specs (such as getting a slightly slower processor) and make sure I get a larger, higher resolution screen?

Thanks for any suggestions!

James

[jdart]

I am still using a big old desktop but IMO most laptops nowadays are powerful enough for software development. Get > 4GB RAM if possible.

I don't think you need a bigger screen for development work, myself, but that's a matter of personal preference. If you plan to play video games or play DVDs you might want something larger.

You can look at Newegg - some items have reviews:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi ... ageSize=20

[Kohflote]

Hi,

I agreed with Jon.

For programming, it will be helpful to have another monitor: one screen for debugging, another for amending/writing the codes.

Best Wishes,
Koh, Kah Huat

[James Constance]

Thanks Jon and Koh.

[ernest]

one screen for debugging, another for amending/writing the codes.

Can you explain?
(the 2 monitors will not show the same info???)

[Sven]

one screen for debugging, another for amending/writing the codes.

Can you explain?
(the 2 monitors will not show the same info???)

Some operating systems allow to use two monitors, which works as if you had just one with double width. There is still one logical display which is physically split. Some people like it a lot. It is simply a doubling of the available area for your windows.

Personally I don't like it very much, for two reasons:
a) I do not use many windows at the same time in general, and whenever I had two monitors available (at work) it tended to confuse me more than it helped.
b) I dislike the effect of sometimes having a window split across both monitors.

As to debugging sessions (@Koh): yes, two monitors can help there a lot sometimes but in my opinion not for "debugging + writing code" (this is something you do in the *same* window since the code is where you set your breakpoints and step through) but for opening several informational windows at the same time, e.g. code + call stack + memory contents + local variables + registers + list of breakpoints + program output + ... I just rarely needed it that way, but this is certainly a matter of personal taste.

For a laptop the key question regarding the "two monitors" proposal might be whether it is technically possible. Isn't it necessary to have a docking station for that purpose?

Sven

[Edmund]

For a laptop the key question regarding the "two monitors" proposal might be whether it is technically possible. Isn't it necessary to have a docking station for that purpose?

Sven

if the laptop has the relevant ports itself (and the os and graphicscard support it) you don't need a docking-station. I even once installed a laptop (win7) + 2 monitors configuration, to do some video editing.

[jdart]

I think the main point of a laptop though is that you can be mobile, not tethered to a monitor.

I used two monitors at work and I liked it, but not enough to bother to set things up that way at home.

--Jon