Are you a programmer and want the best windows laptop for your programming needs?
Choosing the right laptop for programming can often be a tough process. There are many different laptop models, each with varied specifications. Now, you can write code on most laptops. However, you will often have higher productivity when you use a machine suited to the tasks that you want to perform.
In this article, we look at some things to consider when choosing a Windows laptop for programming. The assumption here is that your laptop is your primary programming tool.
RAM
RAM in full stands for Random-access Memory. This is a temporary storage in a computer device where applications and data in current use are stored so that they can quickly be retrieved by the computer processor. For example, when you open Instagram on your computer, then exit and open Google, the Instagram app is stored in the RAM so that you can easily get back to Instagram when you wish to do so.
In programming, you will need major RAM to be able to run massive programs like IDEs (Integrated Development Environment) and virtual machines, which take up a lot of memory. Thus, having them running at the same time can take a toll on your laptop.
So, if you are an application or software developer, you need a laptop with at least 8 GB RAM. Game developers will need one with at least 16 GB RAM. However, if you are a web developer, a laptop with 4 GB RAM should be sufficient.
Processor
Laptop processors are what allows the computer to run applications. A faster processor will enable you to handle large programming software while also helping in handling graphically intensive applications.
If you want to be safe, you should go with Intel Core i5. However, game developers will often need the Intel Core i7, which can handle the switches between design graphics and the development of the game with ease.
Screen
The laptops most important feature, the screen is what allows you to see what you are doing and thus, often needs to be in great condition.
Most budget laptops will often have a display of 1366 x 768, which won’t be great if you want to multitask and still be able to see sharp text on the crowded screen.
Thus, for programming, get a laptop with a Full HD 1920 x 1080 (1080p) display with a screen size of at least 15-inches. However, you can also get portable 14 and 13-inch.
A high resolution ensures that you always get to read even the smallest text, while a bigger screen magnifies the texts so that they are more legible.
Portability
Speaking of size, while you want a laptop with a large enough screen for ease in reading and opening multiple tabs, if your laptop is your primary programming tool, then you will most likely carry it with you.
As mentioned, for mobility, choose a 13 or 14-inch laptop, which will often be lighter and has longer battery life than the 15 and 17-inch ones.
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