How To Choose A Laptop For Programming?

Imagine life in 2020 without a computer. Impossible! Imagine life with a computer that doesn’t suit your needs. Difficult. We live in an era of advanced technology.

Today, we have options for every single thing! Remember when you just picked up a computer from the store without needing too much research regardless of the purpose?

Those were simpler times but also not really effective. A programmer would struggle to do his/her best on a computer meant purely for gaming, for example.

The same holds true for all professions, from writing to graphic design to keeping records and everything in between.

Thus, research is of paramount importance. In this article, we will tell you how to choose a laptop for programming.

1. Highlight The Purpose

Of course, the main purpose of the laptop is programming, but is that it? Laptops usually serve many purposes, and we are positive that you have many things in mind besides programming.

For example, do you love gaming? Or, do you have a passion for graphic design? What about photo editing?

You need a laptop that can assist you with all your hobbies and professional requirements.

This is why highlighting the purpose is the first step towards buying a laptop. Having said that, since you are a programmer, make sure you prioritize this over everything else.

2. Check If The RAM That Supports Your Requirements

Speaking of multitasking, you need a RAM that enables it. You should also consider the gravity of the programming work you do.

For example, if you are a web developer and don’t use very heavy tools, a 4 GB RAM is enough. If you compile heavy projects and run virtual machines, a 4 GB RAM will fail you miserably.

You will need an 8 GB RAM at least. For extremely heavy work, you can go for a 16 GB RAM or a RAM with expandable memory so that you increase it as and when the requirement arises.

3. Process Your Processing Needs

For software engineering, a MacBook Pro is a good choice. The Mac OS is very popular in the software development world because it provides everything a programmer needs.

However, there are many other options, as well. You need at least an Intel Core i5 processor for decent productivity.

While i3 is okay as well, we would recommend going for i5 for better performance. Now, again, if you are a heavy programmer who develops games, you need a must faster processor. Intel Core i7 is a better bet for you.

Remember, the higher you go, the more expensive it becomes. So, be careful about your needs and pick only what’s needed. Purchasing this brand of a laptop is a pain in the pocket, good news is Shop Abunda is here to help through their light and easy financing terms.

4. What Size Screen Do You Think Would Be Better?

As a programmer, we know that you spend a lot of time in front of your laptop. All those hours of staring at the screen can prove to be fatal because they can strain your eyes. Not much later, your eyes will start burning, and you will feel stressed out. To avoid this, you should consider buying a laptop with an excellent, large screen.

Many companies, such as Acer and Asus, offer screens that are easy on the eyes. Besides this, you must consider good resolution (get at least 1920 x 1080 p), good viewing angles, and sharp display.

You do not need a 4K display, honestly. It is quite expensive and can drain the battery out very quickly. Also, unless you are looking for portability, you must go for a 15-inch laptop, at least. Programmers who travel a lot can choose a 13-inch one.

5. You Need A Lot Of Storage

Your SSD needs to be powerful for better productivity and performance. So, make sure you choose at least 256 GB. If money permits, we encourage 512 GB as well, but it is not mandatory. For regular programmers, a 256 GB SSD does the job quite well.

6. Buy Powerful Battery

While it is possible to plug the laptop in quite easily, it is a hindrance. We are sure you would like to work comfortably without the charger weighing you down. So, always choose a laptop that promises 6 hours of battery life and upwards.

7. Choose A Comfortable Keyword

The last major thing you should check out is the keyboard. You need a very comfortable, backlit keyboard that can help you program for hours at a stretch without difficulties. Low-grade keyboards can hamper your progress and, thus, trying the keyboard before the final purchase is crucial.

Even if you want to buy it online, make sure you head over to a store to check it out first. This will eliminate unnecessary exchange and return later on. You can buy a laptop for programming with a comfortable budget without compromising on features. If you need high-end features, though, it can get expensive.

So, remember to add features such as 1 TB memory and 4K display based on need and your budget.

8. BONUS – Maintenance

Simply buying a laptop for programming is not enough. You must learn to take good care of it so that it stays efficient for a long period of time. The first step towards this is keeping it up-to-date. As soon as an upgrade is released, we advise you to activate it immediately. This will keep its performance optimal.

Also, after heavy use or after a long time, laptops tend to slow down just like other machines. Getting your laptop serviced or changing parts that don’t work will help you continue using the laptop. Remember, buying a laptop is a one-time process only if you learn how to maintain it properly. So, treat it well, and it will serve you well!

At the end of the day, the best laptop for programming for you depends on you! This is because within a niche, preferences vary greatly. So, while we can give you options, the final decision boils down to you and what you are looking for in the laptop. This is why we started our guide with the advice to highlight your needs.

We sincerely hope that this article helps you make the right choice. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to comment. We are always happy to get in touch and help you out.