Hi Stephen Thanks for the quick response. Actually a coworker suggested this list a while ago but I forgot all about it.
Surface Pro 3 did have me interested at first but it is too small in my opinion and I prefer to just use the laptop and not have to hook up to an external monitor and keyboard and so on. Even a 13" has me concerned. I may go with 15". I've heard great things about the Macbook but the keyboard didn't feel right to me for Windows. I'll check out the XPS 15. Wow, 16Gb RAM? I didn't realise that was such an issue. 8Gb would be plenty for me I think but I guess going forward that will matter. How often do people change laptops? Is 3-4 years a stretch? Thanks Tom On 26 November 2014 at 17:02, Stephen Price <step...@perthprojects.com> wrote: > Welcome Tom! > (OMG where did we get a new poster from?) > > Having more than a few laptops (both past and present) I feel slightly > qualified to reply. I've found Dell pretty good, but always get the longest > warranty you can get your hands on. It's happened a couple of times where a > laptop has needed parts/repairs and its been out of warranty. When that > happens its usually better to upgrade than spend money on it. > > I'm currently running a Mac book Pro 13 (for iOS dev cross platform stuff > with Xamarin), a Surface Pro 3 (for most dev) and an Asus gaming laptop > (amazing machine but a bit too heavy to lug about. Awesome for gaming at a > mates place, or when others bring their laptops and you want to be sociable > in the same room). > The only thing that stops me from saying get a surface pro 3, is the RAM > limit of 8Gb. If it could have 16Gb it would be the way to go, hands down. > The other two laptops both have 16Gb and its really the only thing that > lets the Surface Pro 3 down (spec wise). That said its the most portable, > and most adaptable (laptop or tablet mode) and even wins on battery life by > a huge margin. > > That said, the real answer is "it depends". You need to look at what you > want it for and makes sure whatever you get fits that first. Oh, I had a > Samsung Ultrabook (the QuadHD touch screen one) and was disappointed with > the high DPI experience of Windows 8. Passed it to my daughter for Uni > laptop and she loves it. > I almost got the Dell XPS 15 (with the QuadHD touchscreen) but got the > surface pro 3 instead. So far not regretted that decision but I daresay the > Dell would have also been a good buy (without the tablet form tho) > > HTH > > On Wed, Nov 26, 2014 at 12:55 PM, Tom P <tompbi...@gmail.com> wrote: > >> Hi >> >> First time poster here so please take it easy on me. >> >> I've only ever had a desktop but looking to purchase my first laptop, >> ultrabook preferred. I've been looking at the Dells for warranty and >> support feedback I've received, XPS 13 sounds mainly. I wish to use it for >> development mainly with some minor travel. Can some of the wiser more >> experienced developers here share their thoughts and recommendations? >> >> Thanks >> Tom >> > >