I just bought an HP Envy Spectre, $729, 14" screen. you can get a 15" for under $900. 32GB SSD, 500GB HD, 6GB RAM, all the bells and whistles. So far it's been great, and it's damn fast (i5). Don't over estimate how much horsepower you need, I'm at the point in my IT career where I primarily need a browser and Office, and if I need a bigger screen, I hook up an external monitor.

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You have your way. I have my way. As for the right way, the correct way, and the only way, it does not exist.