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Ask HN: What is the best 2 in 1 laptop for development?

5 points by an0n1m0u2 ↗ HN
I'm currently running on my macbook pro early 2011 and I would like to have something newer.

I'm thinking of maybe taking a 2 in 1 laptop would be really convenient so I can watch videos while laying on my bed.

I my goal is to be able to use the laptop as both a development machine and an entertainment one.

I don't want to be in the apple ecosystem anymore because I'm kind of sick of how I'm forced to follow whatever changes Apple does.

The problem is that I have choice anxiety so when faced with too many choices I get stressed. I'm willing to spend max 2000 dollars on this.

4 comments

[ 3.1 ms ] story [ 58.5 ms ] thread
billylindeman
I replaced my 2016 mbp with one of these https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/laptops/thinkpad/thinkpad-x1/X1... (4C/8T 16gb model)

It's a great laptop, and the best linux laptop i've ever owned. The tablet mode in linux is subpar (i'm running i3) but it works great for movies / tv etc

ktpsns
I've got the same device and can second it's really great. Being the first Thinkpad with an aluminium device, it really feels wealthy. It's also very lightweight but robust and has great I/O.

Considering the tablet mode under Linux, I'm not that happy. I had the X1 Yoga 1st gen with Ubuntu and now have the 4th gen with Arch Linux, and auto rotation etc. never really worked well. However, I have to say that I spent very little time to improve this and I'm pretty sure there are many low-hanging fruits.

Would definetly recommend this device :)

mikeodds
Refurbed Dell XPS 2 in 1. You can get Ubuntu running on it with minimal screwing about.

Webcam driver still not avail however.

lukaszkups
Surface Book - this monster is flawless in both fields.

Writing this from SB2 15", after 2 years of use - still rocking every day.

AMA :)