[bobthecockroach]

I am a programmer. I can open a computer case and tell you what all the parts are, but my hardware knowledge ends there.

I am going to be needing new hardware soon, but I don't even know exactly what. I will tell you what I have, what is important to me, and what I think I might want.

I have
A reasonably powerful Linux desktop. Core 2 Duo E8500 processor and 4 GB RAM.

Two 500 GB hard drives. These are in the Linux desktop.

A 24" Asus monitor. Attached to Linux desktop. Seems to be really good. I have some problems with text rendering quality, but I think this is actually Ubuntu's fault. Haven't tested though as I only have the Linux computer.

My fiancee has a brand new Toshiba Windows 7 laptop. I don't know any of the specs, sorry.

A cable modem but no router.

What is important to me
Sublime Text, a Windows only text editor. This is as important to me as Photoshop would be to a designer. If I cannot run Sublime Text at home by the end of the year, my involvement with computing will only be able to be described as epic fail. There is a chance TextMate (a Mac-only text editor) could substitute, but I wouldn't bet on it. Sublime Text compares to other text editors in about the same way Google compares to an outdated phone book with mold on the pages.

Data security. Data loss in unacceptable. This may not need to involve hardware though if a web-based option is found suitable.

System responsiveness. I do absolutely nothing that is processor or memory intensive. The most advanced game I have any interest in running is Final Fantasy 7. However, I like snappy. I like instantaneous. My computer should start before I push the power button. (Not that I ever turn my computer off.)

Being able to work side by side with Kate. Right now, this makes me want to get a laptop so we can hang out together and work. In 2 months though when we're married, this might not require a laptop.

A Linux server. Web development without access to a Linux server is almost a fate worse than death. Windows is junk for serious web development. Mac might be suitable. I honestly don't know. Can Mac run CouchDB? If not, Mac isn't good enough.

To a lesser extent than the others, C#, an essentially Windows-only programming language.

What I think I might want
A home data server (NAS? DAS?) with RAID 1. It seems this would essentially nullify the risk of data loss, and if it was connected in a fast enough way, an internal hard drive would only be needed for booting on any system I used at home. I also wonder if it might be possible to turn the Linux desktop into a home server of some sort to serve this need as well as the need of having a Linux server around, which is something I think everyone needs.

A Windows 7 system with an SSD for its main/only drive. Basically, tuned for snappiness, but not performance. As I said, I don't need performance. This could be a laptop or a desktop. If a laptop, it might be nice if I could drive the Asus monitor through some sort of splitter so I could have the Linux system hooked up too at the same time, but still be able to run Windows on the big screen when I want to. If a desktop, it might be nice if it was incredibly cheap so I could still get a laptop if I decide I want one.

I will definitely need to set up a wireless network, so a wireless router is on the agenda.

Other things you should know
I'm extremely fond of spending money, and value matters to me way more than price. If you can make a convincing argument for something, price will likely not be an issue.

I'm extremely not fond of Microsoft's licensing rules and all other manner of closed-ness. I'm running Linux partially because of the openness.

I'm also extremely not fond of complication. Why Windows can't just have one version is still beyond me. In fact, I don't see the need for more than one version of anything. My fiancee uses a Toshiba laptop because the Asus site had so many models (I think they honestly have more than 200 laptops), I gave up and went to Toshiba.

I like up-to-dateness. Linux drives me mad by using "packages" which tend to hold back your versions of programs to the version that was out when the last distro came out. Ubuntu is especially bad for this. I downloaded, installed and upgraded almost all my work projects to Visual Studio 2010 (Microsoft's programming environment) literally the day it came out. I actually put the date on my calendar so I could do this.

My desire for up-to-dateness is not universal. I don't own an iPod. I don't own a smartphone. I don't use Twitter or even Facebook. I eschew trends and gadgets, but stay bleeding-edge with programming tools and other technologies that tend to prefer steady progress to a flavor-of-the-week kind of progress.

How can I achieve computing zen? I welcome all comments, criticisms, advice, and large cash gifts.

[Cam42]

an i5 windows laptop would be good, IMO. I also recommend Toshiba, but if you want to play around with a Mac, use Bootcamp with a MacBook Pro.
You shouldn't need anything more than Windows 7 professional.
An SSD would be nice, but only if you've got more storage someplace else.
Maybe consider a KVM switch (I don't have any links right now, I'm on my way to church) for using the monitor?

Yes, you could reuse the Linux desktop as a server, if you wanted to.

[JerryLove]

I pretty much second that.

Put RAID in your desktop if you have not already. Use that as the backup medium for your laptop. Grab a Windows laptop (since you have so many windows-only needs) and I would think you would be all set.

Not to sound blase', but I'd think any current-gen laptop (perhaps the better netbooks as well) would work for your needs. You are likely better focusing on weight, screen / keyboard size, etc.

[Ax]

I doubt a netbook would get you the "snappiness" you desire. Basically, you want any half decent video card, at least 4 gigs of ram, and a goood pricessor and you want to get a windows laptop and turn off non-essential functions. I'd suggest getting one with an SSD like you mentioned. Otherwise you should start thinking about brands.

[JerryLove]

I have to disagree.

4GB of RAM: Can't even be used unless he's running 64-bit. Windows7 certainly does not need it. I don't see that any of his apps do, but I am not familiar with some of them.

Graphics Card: Once it can run Aero (and he might even turn that off), again I don't see that he has needs beyond bit-moving. Again, any modern graphics chip, even the decent integrated ones, should do that.

NetBook CPU: I believe there are some dual-core atoms. Regardless: the base OS seems to run fine (snappy) on modern netbooks. Again the question will be "what load do the apps add".

Most common would be app load times. This is usually drive read speed (though RAM is good with always-on machines).

The good news is it's pretty easy to test the underlying OS at the store.

[Cam42]

By the time you get a netbook with a dual core Atom, you'll be paying as much as you would for a real laptop.

[JerryLove]

Originally Posted by Cam42

By the time you get a netbook with a dual core Atom, you'll be paying as much as you would for a real laptop.

And what do you imagine the difference is between a netbook and a laptop?

[Cam42]

screen size, and power, mainly.

[bobthecockroach]

On bits, most computers I've seen advertised have been 64-bit anyway, so I don't think that would be an issue. I'll probably go 64-bit.

I've heard really good things about start time with an SSD. Anyone have direct experience to say what the difference is?

From working on Kate's computer occasionally, I've decided I really like Windows 7. I probably would not turn anything off unless it was purely cosmetic.

As for RAID, what would be involved in putting RAID in my Linux desktop? Also, what would be involved in sharing this out with other machines?

[Cam42]

A wireless network would be an easy way to share the server, or a VPN might be even better.
Software RAID would be the best. Better than paying $700 for hardware RAID.



Or, maybe consider a Drobo?

[bobthecockroach]

Drobo looks awesome. I will keep this in mind.

[JerryLove]

Originally Posted by Cam42

screen size, and power, mainly.

You are half-right. It's size (though that's a bit simplified). There are machines classed as netbooks more powerful than other machines classed as laptops.

My point was/is that there are machines in either class (as well as "desktop replacement" class) that would likely fit his needs.

[bobthecockroach]

So what about driving a big monitor with a laptop? Can the laptop support higher resolutions than its screen can display or would I just be looking at a blown-up low-res picture?

[CRockGuitarist]

Originally Posted by bobthecockroach

So what about driving a big monitor with a laptop? Can the laptop support higher resolutions than its screen can display or would I just be looking at a blown-up low-res picture?

That depends on the specs of the graphics card in the laptop. Mine has a Radeon ATI card and I am able to run two external monitors at 1680x1050 and 1280x1024 (laptop screen is 1280x800). Look for the maximum resolution of the graphics card (dedicated or integrated) included with the laptop.

[bobthecockroach]

Am I going to find a laptop with a graphics card that can run a 1920 by something monitor?