Computer purchase help

[James Tonthat]

If the physical size isn't an issue, I'd get some sort of Lenovo Thinkpad with a high res screen. It helps to be able to fit a lot of the code on the screen. I say Thinkpad, because they are some of the most rugged "regular" notebooks I've seen (not Toughbook.) HP laptops can be pretty quality depending on the series. For the past two years, we've regularly programmed and beat on HP laptops and tablets.

Storage isn't that much of an issue. Processor speed is always nice, a large amount of RAM, hi-res screen (as I previously mentioned), a good feeling keyboard (programmers will spend a lot of time on these, keyboard feel is pretty important), good driver support in multiple OS' (I recommend some sort of Intel chipset with Intel processor, and integrated video is okay.

A netbook really isn't an appropriate programming device because of the small keyboard, trackpad, and screen.