I just got a new job, and they're letting me buy my own laptop, but it can't be a Mac (unfortunately!). I previously had a Dell XPS which was fantastic until I started experiencing a lot of issues and had to contact customer service way too often. So, I want to steer clear of Dell this time. I'm looking for a laptop with a strong processor that can handle the demands of software development and data science. I don't think I'll be dealing with Big Data, but having a machine that can handle larger computations would be a plus. My budget is between $800 and $1200, but I might consider going a bit higher if necessary. Any recommendations?
5 Answers
For coding and data science, the ThinkPad T line is solid. Go for one with an i7 and at least 32GB of RAM to future-proof your setup!
I’d suggest looking into the Framework laptop. It's modular and pretty customizable, which might suit your needs well!
Have you considered going with Linux? If I were you, I'd check out System76. They have some solid options that do great with development work.
Honestly, I think you should look at a refurbished Lenovo T14 Gen 1 or 2 with a Ryzen 7 Pro. It’s a solid value, and you can easily upgrade to 16GB of RAM. If you want to go newer, aim for one with 32GBs.
I totally relate, I’m also on the hunt for a faster machine. I've got a P15s with an upgraded hard drive and RAM, but it’s just not cutting it anymore. If anyone has suggestions, I’d love to hear them too!
Definitely keep me posted if you find anything good!