If you code in your spare time and want a new laptop, don't just for a random laptop. There are some laptop features you need to consider before making a purchase. Evaluating a laptop's features to suit your needs is a great idea.
This article will introduce 6 essential features you must learn before buying a laptop for your coding profession.
1. Screen Size
A laptop screen size plays a significant role when coding. You will be staring at your laptop's screen most of the time, especially when facing bugs! There are two types of screens you can select from: a built-in screen or an external screen.
If portability is not a concern, choose a wider monitor, ideally between 16 to 19 inches.
If ease of use is necessary, you can use a compact laptop and set up an external display at home. You can easily carry your laptop to meetings or work from anywhere. With external screens, you will get more space and flexibility to work.
2. Storage
SSDs (Solid-State Drives) are the ideal storage for programming computers hard. SSDs are faster, power-efficient and resistant, and all of these are great features to have in a laptop. Solid-state drives can be more expensive than the traditional HDs (Hard-Drives), but they are worth investing in.
Unlike hard drives that integrate moving parts, SSDs store data into circuits. This feature makes SSDs a silent storage devices. They don't make any sound while reading or writing data to the disk.
SSDs are typically safe to use unless they're physically damaged or broken. Your data is secure when stored on solid-state drives. If you plan to buy a laptop with HD installed, you can buy an external SSD to archive your data.
3. RAM
8GB is the minimum requirement when buying a computer for programming, gaming, designing, or simple multitasking. Anything more than that will cost you extra but will make your computer more productive.
If you buy a device with 8GB of RAM, make sure it's upgradeable to at least 16 GB. Even though you must spend additional money on a device that allows you to upgrade the specs later, you must consider buying it over a non-upgradable one.
Users often feel that a slow computer result from low storage; however, RAM is equally responsible for making a device sluggish. You need to free up storage regularly, and upgrading the RAM can improve your computer's overall performance.
4. Processor
If you're interested in coding, you must work using different coding apps and testing programs. Resource-consuming applications demand a high-end processor that can run various programs seamlessly. You will find it challenging to run and execute code with limited cores.
If your work requires running several apps, you must prioritize core counts on the processor chip. On the other hand, if you focus on one app at a time, get a processor with a high clock speed. Analyzing your coding needs is a must before buying a processor.
Even if you're not coding too much, try to get a medium-range chip at an affordable price. If you're a gaming programmer, you'll need a more powerful processor than an ordinary person who works with mobile app programming.
5. Operating System
The selection of operating systems depends on the type of coding you do. If you're developing programs that run over Apple devices, macOS would be your best option. On the other hand, having Windows devices is a better choice if you work on Windows programs.
Many people prefer Linux as their operating system, as it is meant for high-end professionals. If you prefer Linux as your operating system, ensure you have good functional and operational knowledge.
It may surprise you, but you can run Linux on Windows devices. Apple Mac also allows dual-booting of both operating systems - Windows and macOS via Boot Camp. Moreover, it provides native support for Linux (x86) distributions.
6. Peripherals
One essential feature that most users overlook is the peripherals. As a programmer, you will usually be typing code and usually require a keyboard and a mouse. Both these devices have to be high-performing with the best performance output.
A wireless keyboard and mouse allow for more flexibility.
An ergonomic mouse and a backlit keyboard are great choices when working during dark hours. Wireless devices make work efficient while saving you from the mess cables leave on your computer desk.
Key Takeaways
The top 6 features to consider before buying a laptop are:
Screen size.
Storage.
RAM.
Processor.
Operating System.
Peripherals.
If you enjoyed this article, you'll definitely benefit from subscribing to my FREE weekly newsletter, where I share insights on tech, software engineering, career development etc. I hope to see you there!
Until next time!
🙋🏾♀️