Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

Laptop for programming?

Options
  • 25-06-2014 11:20pm
    #1
    RichRooskey
    Registered Users Posts: 22 ✭


    Hi all,

    I just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions on a Laptop I should buy. I am in college at the moment and will be starting computer programming (JAVA Language) and app development in September.

    Any suggestions as to what type of laptop to be considering would be great.

    Thanks


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Allyall
    Registered Users Posts: 10,381 ✭✭✭✭Allyall


    You'll probably get a few different recommendations, but these are the basics.

    A Large screen.
    RAM.
    Graphics Card.
    ~ Maybe a large battery (now more often allowed plug in anywhere, even trains..)

    What is your budget?
    In no particular order.. (You can find these cheaper, refurbished, usually with a shorter warranty - Google.co.uk -> Shopping)

    ASUS RoG G750JW - Homepage

    MSI GS70 Stealth - Homepage

    Lenovo W540 Thinkpad

    Alienware, PC Specialist, Sager, Clevo


  • Options
    #3
    RichRooskey
    Registered Users Posts: 22 ✭RichRooskey


    Thanks for the replys. Ill be willing to spend upto 700euro because ill will upgrade after college.

    Would i need something like an intel i5 or newer processor that has 8GB memory and 1 TB hard drive.

    Would a second hand one not come with some problems?


  • Options
    #4
    Allyall
    Registered Users Posts: 10,381 ✭✭✭✭Allyall


    RichRooskey wrote: »
    Thanks for the replys. Ill be willing to spend upto 700euro because ill will upgrade after college.

    Would i need something like an intel i5 or newer processor that has 8GB memory and 1 TB hard drive.

    Would a second hand one not come with some problems?

    A refurbished one with a warranty, shouldn't cause any problems.
    An intel 5 or higher, with a good graphics card and 8GB + RAM should be enough for your 1st and (maybe) 2nd year.


  • Options
    #5
    Awkward Badger
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,414 ✭✭✭Awkward Badger


    If you're planning on spending anything close 700 euro then buy one that meets your needs in terms of games/media usage. You wont need to spend anything close to that for programming or app development.
    An intel 5 or higher, with a good graphics card and 8GB + RAM should be enough for your 1st and (maybe) 2nd year.

    I don't know what exactly the course is but something like that should be more than enough for the entirety of any development course.


  • Options
    #6
    stevek93
    Registered Users Posts: 3,088 ✭✭✭stevek93


    Big screen doesn't always mean better. 14" with high resolution will suit I would vouch for AMD as they are a bit cheaper look for a similar spec to a i5. 8GB RAM would suit in long term being future proof in case you are running a virtual machine for testing.

    I have done basic JavaScript in the past in conjunction with HTML and liked to test it on older machines flexibility wise.

    Lightweight also if you can my old dell laptop is a nightmare trying to luge it around still good machine just very heavy.

    Dell and Lenovo have great business laptops if you are looking to use it in the future for business purposes when you finish college latitude and thinkpads just to give you an idea.

    Another idea if you have a powerful desktop PC get a cheap laptop and just use remote desktop that way you have the best of both worlds a centralised station of all your work programs and files you can access on the go.


  • Advertisement
  • Options
    #7
    Allyall
    Registered Users Posts: 10,381 ✭✭✭✭Allyall


    I was probably over-compensating.
    i5/Good Graphics/RAM is probably more than enough.


  • Options
    #8
    km991148
    Registered Users Posts: 4,275 ✭✭✭km991148


    For programming I prefer:

    Good amount of RAM (preferably 16GB)
    Good resolution monitor (1080 or so on a 15inch works for me)
    Reasonable processor - this for me means one that isnt completely crippled like the ultra low powered i7s - a normal powered dual i5 or above)
    Good keyboard + touch pad - especially if going to be on the move.

    If at college - you may want to factor in something more portable - but this is ahrd without sacrificing the above (i.e. more portability, lower powered processor, shallower keyboard etc)


Advertisement