Is a computer or laptop better for programming? This question is one of the most important and main concerns that has occurred to all of us at the beginning of programming. A programmer without a system is like a building without materials. For a person who writes code and the computer is the main tool of their work, there is nothing more frustrating than having an unsuitable system for programming; Because, in this case, programming becomes hell for him!
The technology and components used in computers and laptops are very similar. Therefore, you should be careful when choosing the right option according to your goal. In addition to programming, you may also want other goals such as games or training. On the other hand, the available budget and the money you can consider for the purchase or possible repairs of the system in the following years are limited. In this case, the question that arises is, according to the type of use, which one is the most suitable and economical choice to buy? Stay with us until the end of this article to find the answer to this question.
to be portable
Portability is one of the important things to consider. As you know, you can use your laptop anywhere, but to use a computer, you should consider a fixed place. It would help if you were careful that not everyone is the same and everyone has a different lifestyle and schedule.
As a result, if you fall into at least one of the following groups, in response to Is a computer or laptop better for programming, it is better to choose a laptop:
- You are a computer student.
- Plan to use a common system in different locations.
- You travel a lot.
- Want to be coding no matter where you are?
- You want to be safe from power outages at least for a few hours.
But if you are a member of at least one of the following groups, go to the computer:
- You are used to coding in a certain place.
- You don’t need to move a lot, and you don’t travel.
- You are the only one who wants to use the system.
- You work with the system continuously for many hours.
Upgrade system and hardware capabilities
You often work with much different code and concurrent programs as a programmer. This problem causes that after some time, the parts of the system are depreciated or need to be repaired. Also, in many cases, after becoming a professional in a field, you want to start the next stage and join a group of professionals. You should note that it is often easier to repair or upgrade parts of a computer than a laptop. So if you are looking to upgrade parts as soon as possible, you should go for a PC and otherwise go for a laptop.
But the very important point is that if you just started programming, you may not know exactly what hardware you need, and after some time, you will realize that you bought the wrong system. The following items can help you answer the question: Is a computer or laptop better for programming? Help:
Screen size
Developers are interested in having multiple applications on their systems that work easier and faster. As the number of apps increases, finding them and working on a small screen becomes more difficult. So if you need a relatively large screen while working, it might not be bad to use a computer instead of a laptop. Various mounts offer the dimensions you want, while most laptops have smaller dimensions to maintain portability and easier access. For example, if you travel a lot and have limited storage space, choosing a smaller laptop will save you a lot of trouble.
Screen resolution
The higher the resolution of a screen, the better for developers. As a programmer, you spend a lot of time looking at your screen. If the image resolution is too low, your eyes will get tired in the long run, and in some cases, it will even lead to poor vision. Another advantage of high resolution is that it covers a lot of detail. For example, more lines of code will fit on your screen, making you understand more parts of the code faster.
Processor
A processor or CPU is the heart of your device and performs calculations and controls. The more powerful the processor, the faster it can perform calculations, making your system faster. Because as a developer, you want to work with many complex programs quickly and need a good multi-core processor. Also, one of the popular technologies of the last decade is multi-core processors that execute the code on several cores simultaneously and announce the execution result to the programmer faster.
RAM
Every user needs RAM to run the programs in the system; Because the processor temporarily stores information in the RAM. So there should be enough space for this. RAM is one of the main elements you should consider for programming. It is recommended that a developer consider at least 8GB of RAM for their system. Otherwise, when running programs, you will encounter slowness; even the system hangs, and a heavy program may not run correctly from the beginning.
Storage type
Two hard disks are referred to as storage space: HDD and SSD. An SSD is four times faster and lighter than an HDD, making it extremely easy to work with applications. It is why most programmers are advised to consider purchasing an SSD.
Price and economy
Currently, for most programmers, the most important and influential factor in buying a digital product is its price. Everyone wants the system they buy to be powerful in every way, but having an all-in-one system costs a lot, so you have to think about how much you’re willing to pay for quality.
It is generally more economical to buy a computer than a laptop (with similar hardware features). But for many programmers, portability is important to them at the same time as financial discussion, and this is something you should check for yourself. Here are some recommended steps to make your decision easier:
List the amount of power and type of hardware you expect from your system. Be realistic, and don’t try to choose an ideal system. For example, in most areas of programming, you will not need a graphics card, which will reduce costs.
Think for yourself how important the features of accessibility, portability, and upgradeability of the system mentioned in the previous sections are to you.
Depending on the results, you should decide whether a computer or laptop is better for programming. So the decision should be made solely based on your needs, not because your programmer friend uses a laptop, and you should do the same.