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The last time I exclusively used Linux, I ran an Ubuntu LTS 12.04 on a Dell laptop and had terrible overheating issues whenever I ran something computationally intensive, which kind of turned me away from Linux. It might have to do with the hardware not being totally optimized for the OS. Otherwise the freedom for a developer with Linux is really special.
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I work on a linux box and love it, the problem is when it comes to grant/paper writing you really have to have a highly functional equivalent of word and adobe. While LibreOffice is a nice substitue for something, if it has to be perfect and highly sharable, it a total PITA.
This is why for a LAPTOP I would essepcially recommend somesort of VM solution with Ubuntu/Windows or just a Mac. If the poster was here asking about desktop/workstation/minicluster, I'd have different recommendations.
You aren't going to be doing your hardcore computational work on the laptop anyway, so all the advantages when it comes to linux for bioinformatics are lessened or completely disappear. On a laptop you're much more likely to be SSHed to a cluster/workstation for real work anyway (wether it has linux, OSX or windows), plus editing grants/papers/presentations. While I'd love linux distros to do those things better, and not have to rely on Microsoft/Adobe/Apple, its just the easiest way to get work done for those kinds of things. And that's the point. What gets work done the fastest?Comment
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Sounds more hardware than software. Most laptops will get hot when the CPU is being heavily utilized. On my 15" MBP, I certainly wouldn't want it on my lap after its been pegging all its cores for 5 minutes or more. That doesn't mean its overheating though. Its just not comfortable to touch. in certain spots. Also, its loud as hell when all the fans hit 100%.Originally posted by vivek_ View PostComment
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I know that Apple and Microsoft are big on "secure boot", but it may still be possible to dual boot (I'm not sure what current situation is). I keep and old laptop around that can dual boot so that 2 or 3 times a year I need commercial software or have a guest that wants to run a game, I just boot to Windows and pray I can upgrade faster than I can get infected.Comment
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You can dual boot Windows/Ubuntu very easily, but personally I'd rather just use a virtual machine because I often want to be in both at the same time. Its a bit of hack to get Macs to boot to anything other than OSX, but it is possible. I had a Mac Pro running Ubuntu for a while, but that is kinda silly since OSX can do almost everything Linux can.Comment
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What VM do you recommend?Comment
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VirtualBox seems to run Ubuntu fine. Plus its easy to set up and free. Its also possible to hack OSX on VirtualBox.Comment
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Has anyone here used a macbook air? I am really tempted to switch from my 15 inch macbook pro to a 13 inch air, move all my analysis to the server (which I really should do anyhow) and use a monitor with the air.Comment
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I essentially did something similar, but with windows. I found it annoying at times when I didn't have the internet but needed to do some work that didn't require the power of a server - I couldn't do anything, granted that wasn't often. Now I use bio-linux7 (Ubuntu 12.04 plus a load of useful programs) and aren't as reliant on my cluster for every little thing. If you are addicted to MS office you can even install it on linux now using PlayOnLinux (it isn't perfect, but it is useful for times when someone gives you a .doc or .docx that LibreOffice doesn't open properly).Originally posted by chadn737 View PostComment
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I have a 15" rMBP at work, but bought a 13" MBA (everything maxed out) for home. It's perfectly capable for lots of stuff by itself. However, in my experience the battery life isn't nearly as good as promised. I get maybe 7-8 hours of regular use.. which isn't bad but still..Originally posted by chadn737 View Postsavetherhino.orgComment
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If "regular" use includes video watching then the battery life is line with what rhinoceros is reporting. If one is only browsing/using terminal then the battery lasts significantly longer than 7-8 h. If this is not your only/main computer then you could easily go a week before needing a recharge.
I recommend the 13" MBA. I personally prefer the bigger screen to get work done since I no longer have young eyes. Either (13" or 11" MBA) travels well, if that is a consideration. New MBA's are powerful enough (core i5/7 CPU's, PCI-E SSD's) that you could do some analysis locally if you find yourself without network access.Last edited by GenoMax; 09-10-2013, 03:17 AM.Comment
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That's what I am wondering. I am really trying to stop analysis on my laptops anyway, but I still like the flexibility it gives me to be able to do stuff if need too. Although at this point, probably the most intense stuff I will do on my laptop will be statistical analysis in R. If I do go for an air, it will be a 13 in maxed out. But that 2 inch downgrade in screen size compared to my 15 in pro is what bothers me. On the other hand, if I can connect to a monitor in the lab or at home, then thats kind of a moot point. I was hoping apple would release new macbook pros today, but that seems unlikely.Originally posted by GenoMax View PostComment
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I use a Macbook Air 13" for most of the programming work I do when I'm not in the lab (I have powerful desktop workstations at the lab). I do a lot of analysis code development so I usually need to run some analysis as I go. I tend to keep the data sets small when working on the air. 99% of the time it feels very quick because of the SSD. That other 1% when I'm running analysis I can tell it lacks processing power. But I didn't get it for analysis so it actually works perfectly for me.Originally posted by chadn737 View Post/* Shawn Driscoll, Gene Expression Laboratory, Pfaff
Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA */Comment
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