After using a MacBook Pro (13") as my "go anywhere" for years, I decided to go back to Windows. Nothing wrong with Mac OS as far as a platform goes (and it's particularly great for open source given it's Unix roots) but I selected a Windows computer for a few reasons.
- Familiarity: I use Windows every day in my professional life since I'm principally a .NET developer
- PC Games: Most PC games are available for Windows first and foremost, Mac and Linux versions are almost always ports of a Windows-based version. (Which itself could be a port of a console version.)
- Flexibility: Windows can do open source + games + everything else
Linux???
You might expect that I'd use a Linux laptop or take a laptop and install Linux on it but I've had driver and other issues with laptops and Linux and don't find it worth while for a "daily driver" laptop. At least, for my use case for this.
I may eventually dual-boot with a Linux distribution but for me, Windows provides the best of everything and covers what I need to accomplish.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced
I selected this computer because of the balance of hardware and cost. I tend not to replace my laptop too often (my last one was over 5 years old). And I wanted something quite powerful in both processing power and discreet graphics.
The cost was about that of a MacBook Pro but with objectively better hardware.
So far, the only thing that I really don't like about it is it's keyboard. Which sucks a bit since I do type so often. But, I'm hoping I just need to get a bit more used to it.
Some things I like about it are:
- Monitor (300 Hz is awesome)
- The hardware performance (chews through any task I threw at it)
- The touch pad (The best non-Mac touch pad I've ever used)
- It's size (both screen and physical dimensions).
- Plenty of ports/USB plugs.
Would I recommend it? I'm not sure. I'm hardly a laptop reviewer. I do like it and wouldn't stop someone for buying one but I don't sample laptops like reviewers do. So, there is probably something out there that is better. But for me, this should work great for years to come.
