What a tough year isn’t it? The working from home system seems to be officially the new norm, pushing many businesses to reconsider the way they operate. Shifting to WFH complexity differs from one business to another, while some jobs only require simple equipment to operate, others do need to set a whole costly strategy to be able to operate outside office.
Working in a reputed software development company, we were privileged, my colleagues from developers to project managers and me, to be able to shift our work to telework safely from home without any delays or problems. Back at IndiaNIC office, we mostly relayed on iMac powerful desktops and some BYOD systems (bring your own device) depending on the personal choice of comfort. When it was announced that we would be needing to work from home for an extended period, some employees preferred carrying their desktops from office to home, but many others, like me, opted for using their personal laptops/ computers, which often required investing in buying a new device that can handle heavy tasks of coding!
Being a programmer means needing some powerful device solutions! So what parameters to consider when buying a new laptop? And what makes a laptop suitable for software development ?
What you should consider in buying a laptop for programming?
Buying a laptop that is meant for software development operations such front end, backend, API development or testing, etc. requires a thoughtful choice here are some of the main parameters to consider:
- Important Storage and strong memory capacity
- High speed
- Powerful processor
- Comfortable Keyboard
- Light weight
Whether you are coding or testing, the last thing you want is a lagging laptop, painful wrists from excessive use of an uncomfortable keyboard or the smell of burning processor in the air. If you are a fan of Windows machines or macOS, don’t worry to help you through, here’s a list of the best rated laptops for programmers:
HP Specter x360 2021 edition
This 2021 newborn powerful machine is already stealing the heart of developers around the world and available on the market on several ecommerce platforms including Amazon for very interesting prices.
Opting for HP specter*360 will guarantee you the comfort of holding a thin and lightweight laptop, Powerful Intel Whiskey Lake processor and impressive 12 hours battery life.
Important specifications:
- CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i5
- i7Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics RAM: 8 GB
- 16GBScreen: 13.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Bright View micro-edge WLED backlit multitouch
- 13.3″ diagonal 4K (3840 x 2160) UW VA Bright View micro-edge AMOLED multitouch Storage: 256 GB
- 2 TB SSD
It might be powerful beyond what users need, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful and impressive laptops in the market out there.
Apple MacBook Air M1 2020 edition
The very famous MacBook Air is simply stunning! Currently selling at best dealing price of $999 on Amazon. Apple products are always known for being lightweight, silent and easily portable. This device promises 11 hours of comfortable work on a single charge, a secure pleasant screen an improved keyboard to help you happily code for long hours which is amazing! Yet my only personal concern about it that it is a hardware refresh rather than new release.
Important specifications
- CPU: Apple M1Graphics: Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU RAM: 8 GB
- 16GBScreen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED
- backlit display with IPS technology Storage: 256 GB
- 2 TB SSD
MacBook Pro 16-inch, 2019 edition
If you are developing software for macOS, you are looking for the best device possible! With a hefty price reaching $2400 you can put hands on this fast, powerful and lightweight masterpiece with an extendable RAM, stunning 16inch visually comfortable screen and heavenly comfortable keyboard: simply paradise to your wrists! Unfortunately limited to four Thunderbolt 3 ports
Important specifications
- CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7
- i9Graphics: AMD Radon Pro 5300M
- Radon Pro 5500MRAM: 16 GB
- 64GBScreen: 16-inch Retina display with True Tone Storage: 512 GB
- 8 TB SSD
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme laptop
A powerful and unstoppable workforce delivered at a painful price a little above the $2000. This laptop promotes extreme mobile workstation and stands out in this list with its amazing multiple configuration options depending on your needs, a solid respected Graphics card and a robust package made of carbon fiber and aluminum. Let’s say, perfect for angry coders!
Important specifications
- CPU: up to 8th-generation Intel Core i7Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti with Max
- Q design RAM: up to 64GBScreen: 15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080)
- 15.6” 4K UHD HDR (3840 x 2160)
- Multi-touch Storage: up to 1 TB SSD
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
A device that feels like made for programmers! A powerful, Microsoft’s award-winning product 2-in-1 tablet with USB-C port and wifi6 connectivity, quad-core processors, and plenty of RAM making it a perfect alternative for traditional laptops except the fact it has a shorter battery lasting compared to other options on this list. This multitasks device should be your one-go when looking to compile codes efficiently everywhere you go. With an extra payment, you can get the Type Cover for a laptop feeling if you are not up to touch screen coding.
Important specifications
- CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i3
- i7Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Iris Plus Graphics RAM: 4 GB
- 16GBScreen: 12.3” Pixel Sense DisplayStorage128GB
- 1 TB
conclusion
Nothing can stop a programmer from coding thanks to those powerful devices! This list is the fruit of good research and our dedicated developer’s opinions using some of those alternatives while working from home, we hope you like it.
