A week ago I’d pretty much decided my next development machine would be a PC with a pair of Dell 24″ displays. I was mainly waiting for the special deals to pop up on Tech Bargains. I also thought it might be interesting to try doing my main development on a PC again, having been on the Mac as my primary platform for the last 2 years.
One thing the Bay Area has over Denver is Fry’s Electronics - there just isn’t as brick and mortar store like this in Denver. I stopped into Fry’s today, mainly to take a closer look at what it would be like with 2 x 24″ monitors vs. a single 30″ Apple display. Unfortunately (money-wise at least, as it’s a bit more expesive), there really isn’t a substitute for the 30″ display - it’s just beautiful. Now I’m back on the Apple bandwagon.
Generally, I think it makes sense to invest more in a display than in the computer itself. I’ve had my current display since 1998 and it’s still chugging along just fine - I just need a little more room for big ideas1.
UPDATE: Wouldn’t this be nice?
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Chris Meller adds this Comment:
Well, personally I’d stick with a Mac. Then again, I also want a PowerBook more than just about anything right now.
OS X is like Linux with a kick ass GUI that makes it as easy (easier?) than Windows to use. If gaming isn’t a consideration, I’d certainly stick with a Mac if it’s at all possible. I believe you also mentioned missing BBEdit if you switched, which seems to make the decision final in my mind.
On a totally unrelated note, what size is your PowerBook?
September 21st, 2005 at 4:41 pm
Alex adds this Comment:
Previously blogged here, here and here.
September 21st, 2005 at 4:47 pm
Jose Diaz adds this Comment:
Alex,
I feel for you. I develop mostly on a windows machine with dual 19’s and I can’t say it isn’t any good. But, every day I end up on my G4 powerbook and I can’t think of anything else. After seeing the 30″ at the apple store I knew that was my next big buy.
September 21st, 2005 at 6:14 pm
Trevor adds this Comment:
Wow. I just switched to a Mac (12in Powerbook) from a Dell laptop and I won’t EVER go back. Not to Dell, at least. Have you read about their plummeting customer satisfaction rates? I had something to do with that. A small something, but I certainly pushed their average down like Blue did in the movie Old School, when they’re having the competition and get failed because Blue’s score was a zero since he was dead. Not that I’m dead, but rather that I give Dell a big fat ZERO.
September 21st, 2005 at 7:52 pm
matthew adds this Comment:
WOW that’s a nice display… but as for developing machines, a good monitor is a must. you have to be able to read your code, and fit lots of it on the screen. I stick with my xp-machine for most developing, and have a debian laptop for fun.
September 21st, 2005 at 9:20 pm
stephen ogrady adds this Comment:
of course, it’s always possible that with the Intel hardware switch, you could run something else on that hardware
September 22nd, 2005 at 10:44 am
Conánn adds this Comment:
I can’t imagine ever needing a 30in display, if I need something that big I move to canvas. I split from mac 10 years ago and after many happy years I just got back into mac and could never imagine anything else. Gimmie a dell with 15 19in monitors and I will take an iMac every time.
September 23rd, 2005 at 2:22 pm
alexking.org: Blog adds this Trackback:
Let Down
I was all ready to order my new development system, but the rumored dual-core PowerMacs were conspicuous in their absense at the “one more thing” event this week. Combine that with the Dell deal being back, and I’m wondering how long…
October 14th, 2005 at 8:59 am