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Is this laptop suited for programming?

 
Greenhorn
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Hey, i'm in need of a laptop to program java in netbeans.
Would these specs be good enough to do that at a decent speed?

Regards, Sjaak

Vendor code: F501A-XX519H
EAN code: 4716659494089
Type nummer: Asus F501A-XX519H

Technische specificaties - F501A-XX519H

Processor: Intel Core i3 2370M
Processor frequentie: 2400 MHz
Processor L2 cache: 512 kB
Processor L3 cache: 3072 kB
Werkgeheugen: 4 GB
Werkgeheugen max.: 4 GB
Werkgeheugen type: soDIMM (204pin) DDR3
Harddisk: 320 GB HDD
Harddisk draaisnelheid: 5400 rpm
Schermdiagonaal: 15,6'' / 39,6 cm
Schermtype: Glossy, LED backlight
Schermresolutie: 1366 x 768 pixels (HD, 16:9)
Video kaart: Intel GMA
Video geheugen: Shared
Geluid: HD Audio, twee geïntegreerde luidsprekers
Ingebouwde webcam: 0,3 MP
Ingebouwde microfoon

Aansluitingen

Wireless Network Access: 802.11b/g/n
Wired network acces: 10/100/1000 Mbps Fast Ethernet (RJ-45)
USB poorten: 1x USB 3.0 + 1x USB 2.0
Externe monitor aansluiting: HDMI
Externe monitor aansluiting 2: sub-D VGA
Hoofdtelefoon aansluiting: 3,5mm jack aansluiting
Cardreader: 2-in-1
Geïntegreerde muis: Touchpad
Soort toetsenbord: Chiclet toetsenbord

Software

Operating System: Windows 8
Operating System bit: 64 bit
Taal/talen: multilingual preload, eenmalige keuze: NL óf UK óf FR

Accu

Aantal cellen: 4
Type: Lithium-Ion
Meegeleverde oplader: 65 Watt

Afmetingen, gewicht en kleur

Breedte: 38 cm
Diepte: 25,3 cm
Hoogte: 2,6 cm
Gewicht (inclusief accu): 2 kg
Kleur: Wit

 
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I find it difficult to believe that any modern system could not handle programming.
 
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Here's a prior discussion of i3 vs 15 laptops:
https://coderanch.com/t/603908/gc/Intel-Core-core-suits-software
 
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hi Sjaak,

yes. this laptop is very well suited for NetBeans and Java.

My 6 year old pc has an E6400 processor (2 cores at 2,1Ghz), 3Gb memory, and it runs NetBeans and Java
easily.

Just, if you want to do some serious work on that laptop, I would advise a decent keyboard and a separate monitor as well.

Greetz,
Piet
 
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Sorry if this is off topic but you should keep unwanted stuff close to zero if you want to use any laptop/desktop for programming.
Most laptops come bundled with stuff that I will never use but they keep running in the background and eat system resources.
I would uninstall them the moment i know its not needed. We also install few programs and then forget to remove them even when we stop using.
So if you want to get out the most of the system you have, keep it bare minimum to your needs.
 
Sjaak Hendriks
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Thanks for the replies guys, good to know a decently priced laptop is good enough.
 
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One potential problem...

If I understand the spec correctly, the maximum RAM this machine will take is 4GB, but Windows 8 64-bit can handle much more than that. So if the 4GB hardware limit is real, it means you can't expand the RAM to take advantage of having a 64 bit operating system. You might want to check this, as increasing your RAM is often a cheap way of getting extra performance out of a PC or extending its life when new versions of your software demand extra RAM.
 
Sjaak Hendriks
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chris webster wrote:One potential problem...

If I understand the spec correctly, the maximum RAM this machine will take is 4GB, but Windows 8 64-bit can handle much more than that. So if the 4GB hardware limit is real, it means you can't expand the RAM to take advantage of having a 64 bit operating system. You might want to check this, as increasing your RAM is often a cheap way of getting extra performance out of a PC or extending its life when new versions of your software demand extra RAM.



Yes that is correct, but I only intend to use it for programming, so i don't think I would ever need to upgrade it.
 
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Sjaak Hendriks wrote:Yes that is correct, but I only intend to use it for programming, so i don't think I would ever need to upgrade it.


Don't underestimate the RAM needs of the software you are using to program. If you are using an IDE, like Eclipse, that uses a lot of RAM. And you may want to run Tomcat and/or a database locally. More RAM.

I always upgrade the RAM as soon as I buy a laptop since that becomes the thing that constrains me on programming on it over time.
 
Sjaak Hendriks
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Jeanne Boyarsky wrote:

Sjaak Hendriks wrote:Yes that is correct, but I only intend to use it for programming, so i don't think I would ever need to upgrade it.


Don't underestimate the RAM needs of the software you are using to program. If you are using an IDE, like Eclipse, that uses a lot of RAM. And you may want to run Tomcat and/or a database locally. More RAM.

I always upgrade the RAM as soon as I buy a laptop since that becomes the thing that constrains me on programming on it over time.


So it would be advisable to go for more RAM over a faster CPU?
 
Bear Bibeault
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Sjaak Hendriks wrote:So it would be advisable to go for more RAM over a faster CPU?


Yes. Very much so.

Unless..

It's a lot easier to add more RAM than to upgrade the CPU. So it depends upon whether you will have the funds to upgrade RAM shortly. If you are never going to upgrade anything in the system, go for memory over CPU. But if you can get a faster CPU now, and add more RAM later, then that might be the best way to go over the long haul.

Decisions, decisions...
 
Sjaak Hendriks
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Hey guys, thank for the advice again i decided on the laptop I want.
I ordered this one for only 100 euros more then my original choice with way better specs.
 
chris webster
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Hope you enjoy your new computer! My main machine at home is a Toshiba i5 laptop with 8GB RAM, which is great for development, and I've found Toshiba machines to be good value for money and pretty reliable.

And you'll appreciate the extra memory. For example, on my PC at work I can easily use up 3GB just running Eclipse, a local database and a web app server or two. Unfortunately, my employer regards Windows XP (plus Lotus bloody Notes) as the ideal working platform for the development staff ( ), so we can't add any more memory even if they'd pay for it....
 
Sjaak Hendriks
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chris webster wrote:Hope you enjoy your new computer! My main machine at home is a Toshiba i5 laptop with 8GB RAM, which is great for development, and I've found Toshiba machines to be good value for money and pretty reliable.

And you'll appreciate the extra memory. For example, on my PC at work I can easily use up 3GB just running Eclipse, a local database and a web app server or two. Unfortunately, my employer regards Windows XP (plus Lotus bloody Notes) as the ideal working platform for the development staff ( ), so we can't add any more memory even if they'd pay for it....


Thank you!
 
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