A laptop or computer is the only weapon for a software developer, Therefore, yes you need a powerful laptop for software development.
If you are a remote worker/freelancer, then this is quite essential for you to have a laptop that can help you to deliver the best results.
There is no difference between a general user laptop and a laptop for a developer. The only difference is a software developer always prefers speed, high-end performance, and a better response rate.
software developer laptop requirements
How much RAM does a developer need?
Ram stands for Random Access memory. It temporarily stores the data in memory as it is a volatile memory it only stores the data until the computer is powered on and lost all when it’s turned off.
It reloads the data from the hard drive or any other memory storage once the computer is rebooted. It is used to speed up the performance of a computer and therefore is a quite essential part in selecting a high-end performance computer.
It is a direct element that can affect the performance of a computer. Higher ram means a high-speed performance.
The required amount of RAM (Random Access Memory) depends on the work you are doing. For instance, if you are a general user a 4GB ram is sufficient for you.
but if you are doing video editing or using Photoshop and along with other apps then 16GB of RAM is a good amount, but if you are not using any high-end applications and working with a browser and some compiler then an 8GB amount of RAM is sufficient for your use.
You can start with a laptop having at least 8GB of RAM with an option to enhance the RAM according to use, which enables you to upgrade your laptops’ RAM according to your requirements.
What specs do you need for software development?
As far as related to Specs again depend on your usage as we will discuss here the laptop specs required for software development.
Display:
A larger display always sounds good to a developer, but a larger display tends to a large amount of battery usage so if we discuss a standard laptop then you can use a 13 or 14-inch laptop but we will suggest you go for a 15-inch screen size.
RAM:
The Minimum Ram of your laptop should not be less than 8GB and if you have any access to cash then invest this in a laptop having 16GB of RAM which will enhance your laptops’ speed and help you to elevate your productivity to the next level.
Processor (CPU):
A Central Processing Unit generally known as a CPU is an integral part of your laptop’s performance. There are plenty of processors available in the market depending on different elements like cache, cores, frequency, and technology.
You can make a selection of processors depending on the above-mentioned elements. For software development, an Intel Core i5 or i7 has 3ghz as the minimum frequency.
Hard Drive:
The minimum Hard Drive should be 256GB but if you can afford to buy 512GB or 1TB then this will give you the freedom to keep maximum data in your laptop and can access it anytime instead of using or looking for any external storage.
Top 5 best laptops for software development in 2021
There are numerous laptops that hit markets every year from different brands. And sometimes it becomes quite difficult to make a decision in the pool of choices. Here we have selected a few laptops to help you in making your choice.
01. Dell XPS 15.6”
Customer Reviews: 3.8 out of 5
Price: $2,199
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: Intel Core i7
Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650
RAM: 32GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD (Having Multiple options)
Screen: 15.6″ 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) Touchscreen Laptop
Storage: 1TB SSD
Weight: 4 Pounds
Operating System: Windows 10
why is it best for software development:
It’s the premium choice for any software developer in terms of its worthy specifications offering high speed, performance, and efficiency. It has a 15.6” display which is easy to carry and manage tasks.
02. Apple MacBook Pro 13-in M1 8-core Gray (CTO)
Customer Reviews: 4.5 out of 5
Price: $2,239
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU and 8-core GPU
Graphics: Apple
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 13.3 Inches
Storage: 2TB SSD
Weight: 6.15 Pounds
Operating System: iOS
why is it best for software development:
Running with the latest iOS it offers incredible performance, long-lasting battery with up to 20 hours of backup. High speed is the key point for any developer which it owns.
03. LG Gram 17
Customer Reviews: 4.3 out of 5
Price: $1,799
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: Intel Evo 11th gen Core i7
Graphics: Intel Xe Graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 17 Inches
Storage: 1TB SSD
Weight: 3 Pounds
Operating System: Windows 10
why is it best for software development:
It’s thin, light, and powerful, it has a big screen with high-end graphics and a battery life of up to 19 hours. Due to its lightweight, you can easily carry this if you are somewhere out.
04. HP Spectre x360
Customer Reviews: 4.7 out of 5
Price: $1,845
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: 11th Gen Core i7-1165G7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe graphics
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 13.5″ 3K2K OLED Touch Panel (3000×2000)
Storage: 1TB SSD
Weight: 6.96 Pounds
Operating System: Windows 10
why is it best for software development:
With the advanced technology and 11th generation powerful processor this HP laptop is a great refresh to 2021. It is best in terms of speed, size battery, and performance and best suited for any type of software development work.
05. Microsoft Surface Book 2 13.5″
Customer Reviews: 4.2 out of 5
Price: $2,200
SPECIFICATIONS:
CPU: 8th generation Intel Quad Core i7
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 discrete GPU w/2GB GDDR5 Graphics Memory
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 13.5″ INCH Vibrant PixelSense Display with an improved 13.5″ touchscreen
Storage: 1TB SSD
Weight: 3.62 Pounds
Operating System: Windows 10
why is it best for software development:
This is a good choice for software development as Microsoft assembled it with its advanced and powerful processors and features which not only suit software development but can also be the best choice for your leisure time gaming.
CONCLUSION
You can choose any brand with the above-mentioned minimum requirements to get your development work done smoothly and efficiently. In Short, a useful suitable laptop for a software developer should have at least the following:
1. Intel i5 or i7 Processor
2. 8GB to 16GB of RAM
3. 512GB to 1TB of Hard Disk Drive
4. A good Graphics Display
5. A standard size screen ranging between 13 Inch to 15 Inch
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