Lenovo ThinkPad x220

my cheap to-go dev machine

Since incorporating my company, I don't do much code professionally. As a manager, I spend most of my work time in meetings and planning sessions. Because of that, I backed up the system image and repurposed this machine as a Soloable Everquest Machine.

Introduction

My fancy Macbook Pro is too expensive. Considering I like to work from some weird locations, I started looking for a machine to carry with me that would not attract crackheads like fireflies. It had to be cheap, sturdy, and easily fixed if broken. This document outlines what I come up with.

Specs

Lenovo IBM Thinkpad Laptop X220 12.5 Inch Laptop (Intel Core i5-2520M 2.5GHz processor, 256GB SSD, 8GB RAM, 802.11n, Windows 7 Professional) (Certified Refurbished)

• OS: Archlinux
• WM: DWM

Packages

• Redshift

  Flux like application. Help my sore eyes.

• Lilyterm

  My original plan was to use something like `st`, but I really needed something a bit more user-friendly. Lilyterm is lightweight and good enough

• Google Chrome (aur)
• DWM Compiled from source
• Dropbox CLI wit selective syncing

  sharing org files mostly

• git

  Must have

• acpi

  For battery usage

• alsa-utils

  audio management

• emacs
• upower

  better battery life

• fasd (aur)

  console navigation

• fzf

  console autocomplete

• pick

  simple password management—just the essential passwords for to-go work

• xlockmore-blank (aur) and xautolock

  auto locking after idle time

• xbindkeys

  to enable TP volume keys

• packer (aur)

  easily install AUR packages

• unclutter

  hide mouse after a while

• ssmtp — configured with gmail

  used to send emails using dmenu

• slack + dunst for notifications

  work communication

In house solutions

clipd — my clipboard manager solution

Missing pieces

Backblaze like backup

Replaced by other tech

Skype — Using skype on the phone

Misc

• Machine name: Brakebills — Taken from Lev Grossman's novel The Magicians
• Remapped capslock to control

My usual setup is to use 3 tags:

• tag 1 for emacs
• tag 2 for consoles
• tag 3 for chrome

Typeface is usually Triplicate T3C

More Pics