Today it is impossible to imagine our life without a computer – the computer has replaced books, TV, shops, and much more. However, choosing a good computer is not an easy task, especially if you need the equipment not only for entertainment but also for work. In this article, we will talk about the best computers that are suitable for programming.
Programmers and web developers are more likely to prefer laptops over desktop PCs so as not to tie themselves to the workplace. It’s great to have a working tool always at hand, traveling, being on a long road, or a comfortable bed. But unlike personal computers, laptops are often less productive (you have to pay much more for performance, like on a PC), and prone to heat and frequent breakdowns. And many of them have a completely uncomfortable keyboard. Therefore, it is worthwhile with special responsibility to approach the question of which laptop to choose and buy for programming.
Which laptop should a programmer choose?
One of the common misconceptions: “writing code and typing in Word load the computer’s hardware in the same way.” It’s far from it. A professional programmer has to not only puzzle over, in fact, writing code but also run various development tools and virtual machines, open 100,500 browser tabs, and more.
When choosing the best laptop for programming in 2022, the first criteria should be a powerful processor (pay attention to clock speeds, number of cores, and threads) and a large amount of RAM. The speed of the drive also seriously affects the performance of the system, so it is better to stop at the SSD (the amount of memory is up to you).
Consider more than just pure power. Keyboard comfort and display size are just as important if you’re coding on a laptop. The keys require high travel, responsiveness, and as much space as possible. It greatly slows down the work when, when you press one key, you touch the next one, or when, due to the low responsiveness of the keys, you constantly skip the necessary characters. And if the size of the display forces you to look closely at the already small fonts, it’s not far from reducing your vision.
On the other hand, the world is becoming more mobile, and lugging around a huge 17-inch colossus can be too expensive. Therefore, the rating includes models with a 14-inch screen. Moreover, the programmer often needs a laptop to work outside the home, and a full-fledged PC can be the main working device.
The last criterion is price. Budget (cheap) laptops are not suitable for programming. One can argue with this for a long time, but in their professional activities, programmers value time and cannot spend 10–15 seconds of time launching a browser alone. On the other hand, there is also no strict need to spend huge amounts of money on high-end devices. Exception: you assign complex computing tasks to your laptop, well, or are just crazy about Apple.
What is the best choice for working with PHP, Python (web), HTML, MySQL, JavaScript, and CSS?
In this case, you can look towards laptops with Intel Core i5 / i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7 processors, preferably with a generation above the 7th for Intel (for example, Intel Core i7 9750H) and at least 3rd for AMD (to, for example, AMD Ryzen 5 3600). 8 GB of RAM should be enough for most tasks, but 16 GB or with the possibility of adding another stick of RAM in the future would be preferable.
Minimum and recommended laptop requirements for programming
Minimum laptop requirements for a programmer in 2022:
- lightweight and moderate dimensions for comfortable carrying;
- a relatively capacious battery that provides at least 4-5 hours of operation without recharging;
- 4-core Intel processor or 6-core AMD;
- 16 GB of RAM;
- Comfortable full-size keyboard with numeric keypad.
Optimal laptop requirements for a programmer in 2022:
- scissor-style keyboard with long key travel and backlight;
- display diagonal 15.6-17 inches for homework and 14 inches for frequent travel;
- the processor of the latest generations of AMD or Intel with a high frequency of each individual core;
- SSD drive with high data read/write speed;
- 16 GB of RAM;
- operating system macOS or Linux; both are better suited for web development than Windows.
One of the latest innovations was the HONOR MagicBook X 15 – it’s excellent value for money, a good IPS display without harmful PWM flicker, and enough performance for everyday work tasks. Experts note the reliable build quality. The laptop is suitable for many tasks – including, thanks to the bright display with high-quality colors, it is great for video games or betting in the casino – it can be used to bet in the bet app in Senegal.
Our configuration uses a Core i5 10210U processor. For programmer tasks, it is he who is recommended, since the younger 10th generation Core i3 model performs worse in tests. A fast 512 GB solid-state drive will allow you to store large data libraries.
If you need an inexpensive laptop for programming, and the range of tasks does not include complex work with graphics, this is far from the worst choice. But keep in mind that there is only 8 GB of RAM, and besides, it is soldered on the board – it will not be possible to upgrade.
