I currently own a macbook pro retina 13 mid 2014 with an i5 2,6 ghz and 8gb ram. I use it for my coding needs and taking notes while being at a client. And now I'm searching for a new machine. I don't like the keyboard on the long run, the ssd could be fast, 8 gb ram is not enough.
So I have these minimum criterias: - 6th or 7th generation Intel CPU - 16GB ram - 512 GB m.2 ssd - nice display (1440p ideal) - nice keyboard - at least 7 hours battery life - not heavier than 1,7kg - shouldn't be noisy - should look clean enough. (Don't want clients starring at a razer logo)
I use it for coding java(android) and nodejs. So basically only idea IDEs Some virtual machines are also running sometimes. No photoshop needs, no video editing needs.
Take a look at y ideapads, prolly not 1440p but imo 1080 is fine on a laptop screen - specs vary by model but the keyboards are real nice. I've got the y910 model with a mechanical keyboard, if I could have sex with it I would. The displays have an anti-glare film on that gives a bit of a milky effect on colors but that can be peeled off. Sure they're "gamery" but it's not too in-your-face.
Thought about that, too. Light and elegant. Do you have any experience with the keyboard? I'm really not a fan of my macbook keyboard anymore. Way too less travel. Feels mushy
I added the notebook I have at work in my first comment. 3.3kg monster... No idea about the little HP one. I might be able to test one at a local shop today or tomorrow.
Other than the CPU, the 2015 macbook pro hits all those marks.
I would only consider the macbook pro, dell xps15, and the microsoft surfacebook.
The xps15 is probably the most well configured laptop, but the battery life will be a lot shorter than you think. Most people can only get about 6 hours of light useage. The 4K screen just sucks too much power. If you would be OK with a 5 hour battery life, then the XPS 15 would be my choice.
The surface book is really nice for coding because of the screen's aspect ratio. But its kind of a stupid laptop in every other way. Just look at where they put the headphone jack and tell me what you think lol.
Macbook is very very nice, but it is old hardware. But since you are just coding anyways, I don't really think it matters.
If the T460s could figure out its track pad problems, that would definitely be a strong contender. The other worthy latpop would be the gigabyte aero 14.
It uses much lower build quality, but it has great specs and has the only battery that can go toe to toe with apple.
Due to the current prices of the Euro I suggest you buy the new razor blade stealth. It's only €1,888 plus you get some free bonuses as well. It has everything you need except for it has a razer logo but a skin can probably fix that. It weighs just under 2 kg so 1.95 kg
I have just opened chrome with a few tabs and webstorm or intellij. Uses all my ram (8gb) and goes 500mb into swap. That's really not good. I know chrome eats ram like it's sugar but that's redicilous. My next machine will have 16gb+ for sure.