Which Mac should I buy to learn coding and programming?
Learning how to code is a great idea: programming and coding is an increasingly important skill to acquire. And coding and programming are increasingly part of the school curriculum, so it's something to consider when buying a Mac for your family - which Mac would be best as a machine on which to learn coding?
- Overall, this MacBook Pro 16 is a power-packed laptop that delivers you a solid performance which you can use for graphics programming, game development, and coding, etc. Hardware Specifications Of Apple MacBook Pro 16.
- In 2019, the MacBook lineup shrunk after Apple discontinued the 12-inch MacBook. The change brings to four the number of Apple laptops we recommend for photographers. Our favorite, the 16-inch MacBook Pro with an i9 processor, is the best choice for professional photographers.
- Best for content creation: MacBook Pro 16-inch (2019) Best for students: MacBook Air (2020) Best for on-the-go creators: MacBook Pro 13-inch (2020) Related: Best Laptops 2020.
- So, let’s check out this list of the best laptops for programming. See also: Top best gaming PCs under $500 to buy in 2019. The best laptop for programming depends on the kind of programmer you are but most computer users would want the fastest processor on their device.
The first thing we'll say is this: get a Mac over all other kinds of computer. Trust us on this. If you want to learn to code, you want to buy a Mac. Read our guide: Why programmers think Macs are best for coding.
A few of the most popular models include: The 3rd- and 4th-gen MacBook Pro, with 2.4+ GHz Intel Core i5, i7, i9 CPUs The 2nd-gen MacBook Air, with the 1.4+ GHz Intel Core i5 CPUs The 4th-generation iMac, with the 2.7+ GHz Intel Core i5 and i7 CPUs.
We have lots of guides to learning to code, and you can discover a lot by reading our Complete guide to coding & programming on Mac article.
See also:
Best Mac buying guide 2016
Best MacBook 2016: Find out which Mac laptop is best for you
Best Mac for students 2016: Which Mac should you buy for university?
Best MacBook 2016: Find out which Mac laptop is best for you
Best Mac for students 2016: Which Mac should you buy for university?
Best Mac for coding: Power requirements
The good news is that you don't need a powerful, expensive Mac to learn programming.
Many newcomers think that because programming is an advanced part of computing, they need an advanced computer. Fortnite on macbook pro 2018. Actually, the opposite is true. Programming enables you to work closely with the hardware of a computer, and as a novice you're unlikely to place any demands on it.
Advanced app developers may have bigger requirements. See our Best Mac for app development feature if you already know how to program, and are looking to develop apps professionally.
But newcomers don't need a high-end Mac. Learning to code is much less demanding than using software developed by professionals. Compared to other activities, like video editing or playing video games, coding is an absolute featherweight when it comes to hardware demands.
In fact, the activity you do around coding, such as watching video clips on training sites and using interactive websites like Codecademy, are all going to be more demanding than coding itself.
Coding doesn't have heavy data requirements either. Apple's Xcode developer environment takes up a hefty 10GB of storage space, but that aside the programs you write will tend to be quite small.
So you don't need speed, and you don't need storage. What do you need to learn coding on a Mac?
Read next: Macmini vsMacBookAir: Which is thebestcheapMac?
Best Mac for coding and programming: Types of Mac
Apple currently offers six different types of Mac (three laptops, three desktops):
MacBook
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
Mac mini
iMac
Mac Pro
MacBook Air
MacBook Pro
Mac mini
iMac
Mac Pro
You can learn to code on any of these machines, but each one offers different advantages. The first question is whether you want to learn coding on a desktop or laptop.
Both are valid choices. Coding requires focus and concentration, so working on a desktop in a quiet room is a good idea. But you can do that just as well on a laptop, and still take your Mac with you when you need to work on the move.
Laptops are more expensive than desktops. The cheapest desktop (the Mac mini) starts at £399 while the cheapest MacBook is the MacBook Air (£749).
Best Mac for coding and programming: Best laptop for learning to code
The new MacBook is a stylish machine, and its Retina display is gorgeous. But it is expensive and small.
The MacBook Air is a more cost-effective choice, offering a little more power for less money. We use a MacBook Air 11-inch to code, and it runs just fine. The additional screen estate on the 13-inch model is a good investment, though.
The MacBook Pro 15-inch is the best choice. The extra screen estate makes it easier to view two or more windows at the same time. This is handy for learning as you'll often have a text editor, or IDE (Integrated Developer Environment) open alongside a web browser or PDF document displaying a tutorial.
We are currently waiting for Apple to announce a new MacBook Pro range though, and expect the new model to have a flash interactive LED function bar. So right now is not a good time to buy a MacBook Pro, if you can hold out until after October 2016 you'll have much better options all around.
Best Mac for coding and programming: Best desktop for learning to code
One thing developers have in common, is that they all value large screens (and having lots of screen estate). You'll often find developers using two, or three screens at the same time.
With this in mind we're going to rule out the Mac Pro. It's expensive for what it offers anyway, but for a beginner learning to code the Mac Pro is a vast expensive and absolute overkill.
That leaves you choosing between a Mac mini and iMac. There's a big price difference between the two, and if you have a spare monitor, keyboard and mouse we see no problem with the entry-level Mac mini for learning to code.
If you want to other tasks, like run design software or play games then it's better to upgrade to the mid-range Mac mini model. It has a much faster processor.
If you don't have any of the parts required for a Mac mini, then it's better to get an iMac. Buy the entry-level 21-inch or 27-inch Retina display is our advice. The larger screen is gorgeous and well worth the money.
Best Mac for coding and programming: Conclusion
You can learn to code on any Mac, so the best Mac you can afford is the one to get. But don't feel pressured to buy the latest Mac. In fact, you can pick up a pretty good deal on the refurb store. We've been seeing entry-level Mac mini computers for £339 lately, which is a great entry point for newcomers.
If we had to pick any Mac to learn to code with, it'd be the iMac with 27-inch Retina display. The huge screen estate makes it easy to run many programs at once. It has all the power you need and is a joy to behold.
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Hi guys! When I look back upon my twenty years of experience as an IT consultant, I wonder how many options in hardware we have today to choose from especially in the laptops. I am glad that I can share my experience through this buying guide on how to pick the best laptop for programming and coding. This is the year 2019 and laptop manufacturers are trying their best to set new benchmark in terms of performance, features and efficiency. I sincerely think that you cannot buy any laptop and use it for web development, android or iOS app development, python coding, Visual studio, C# or any other platform of software development of your choice.
Some programs need some minimum recommended specifications for smooth execution. If compilation and test execution of code is sluggish, it can be irritating, waste a lot of time and becomes a major deterrent. Remember if you’re planning a career in coding or are looking ahead to become a successful developer, your laptop is the key to success and a vital tool to achieve your dream career.
5 Features you must check before buying a laptop for programming
Laptop-built
Well, whatever high-end configuration laptop you own, if it is not robust then everything you do can fall apart. Do not go by looks or sleekness of the laptop. The material of construction used in making its external body, the quality of hinges and keyboard quality are important features to look for. Portability is required for some programmers or coders but it should not be compromised on the sturdy built of the laptop. In short, get a laptop that may not be sleek and smart but is well-built to bear rough and tough usage.
![New macbook 2019 New macbook 2019](https://managewp.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Coding-on-Mac.png)
Heating
The laptop should be resistant to being heated up for extended period of time. The best laptops have the effective cooling system installed on the CPU and GPU chips of the motherboard. There are some laptop models, I have come across in the past that have heat dissipation vents on the lower (base) side. You should avoid buying such laptops and look for laptops with heating vents on the side of the laptop. Dissipating heat in a proper manner is the key to a cool and long running coding laptop.
CPU
The central processing unit is not the only but one of the features you should take care of while buying a laptop for programming students. Look for a laptop with a minimum Intel i5 processor. This is an intermediate between of i3 and latest i7 processor. Considering the budget and the future requirements, I think i5 would suffice all the programming needs. Remember, the processor is responsible for multi-tasking. Higher the processor specs, more applications you can run simultaneously.
Memory (RAM)
New Macbook 2019
The RAM determines how fast the applications open and runs. Although 8GB will meet all the coding requirements considering the future releases of the programming languages, you must choose at least 12 Gb or 16 GB if your budget is flexible.
Storage
SSD (solid-state-drives) are much faster than SATA hard drives. So, I would recommend SSD over HDD. If you really need extra storage capacity for games or movies, you can go for a hybrid (SSD+HDD) storage option. But, if you want to use the laptop only for basic programming and coding assignments, a single SATA drive is more than sufficient.
Graphics
The graphics or the GPU determines the screen resolution of the screen. You have the option of either the onboard integrated display chip or the dedicated graphics chip with memory. See, the latest integrated graphics provided by Intel are not bad and can handle all the graphics requirement of a computer programmer or a developer. If you want to run some games along with your work, then definitely go for a minimum of 2Gb video RAM GPU. But be ready to pay more since this option will increase the price of the laptop.
Check for a minimum of 1366x 768 pixels of resolution. One more important tip, always buy an IPS display screen and not TNT. The IPS display is cool to eyes whereas TNT technology is cheap and can strain your eyes in short time.
Operating system
You have the option of going for Mac, Windows or Linux depending upon your software needs. If you are looking to work on X-code or iOS development, then Apple laptop is the only option. Windows supports most of the other programming platforms and software.
Reviews of 10 Best Laptops suitable for Programming
1. ASUS P-Series P2540UA-XS71
After buying this laptop, you are going to secure your next four years for sure. You get all that you need in a perfect laptop like portability, robust design, security features and latest hardware. This is a top of the line laptop that is powered by kaby Lake 7th generation Intel i7 7500U processor and 8 GB DDR4 of RAM.
The ASUS P-series laptop comes with integrated Intel graphics that is enough for smooth handling of any programming language or basic games. The screen is 15.6 Inches in size with a matte finish that allows you to code for late hours without hurting your eyes. The laptop screen has a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels that is good enough for both work and fun.
It has an ergonomically designed chiclet keyboard for comfort and enhanced productivity. The touch-pad is capable for multi-gesture inputs for better control. Other features include a fingerprint scanner, TPM chip for secure booting. The best part of this laptop is that it has an opening on the backside for easy up-gradation of RAM and the battery too is removable.
Highly recommended, this latest beast form Asus is not only a budget friendly laptop but is equally capable to run Python, Visual studio, C# or any other heavy API’s.
2. Lenovo ThinkPad E580 Notebook
It is the best budget laptop that is known for its performance and speed. ThinkPad from Lenovo is a respected series among business professionals. Lenovo E580 has all the ingredients in it that make it a perfect choice for programmers. Equipped with 8th generation Intel i7 processor and DDR4 16 GB Ram, this laptop can handle software development including game or android coding.
The ThinkPad is one of the robust machines in the laptop industry that undergoes stringent quality, vibration, and dustproof testing. You can code for longer durations without feeling any heat on the innovative cool palm rest of ThinkPad. It has full size ergonomic keyboard with optimum key travel that provides the best feel while programming.
The laptop comes with a hybrid storage that comprises of 1TB SSD. You can keep the OS and coding software in SSD for faster booting and data access.
The other feature that makes it the best pick for coding is its anti-glare matte screen. Moreover, it has a 15.6 Inch full HD display with a maximum resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. It comes with a pre-installed Windows 10 professional 64-bit. With the great all-round performance, Lenovo E580 is highly recommended.
3. Dell Inspiron i5770 17.3″ FHD Laptop
If you are a student of computer science or IT, Dell Inspiron is the best value for the money. Reasonably priced, this laptop is equipped with all the high-end features of a flagship model. The laptop has a fog-grey body finish and is robustly built. You get a full HD touchscreen with max. resolution of up to 1920×1080 pixels, which is great for web development or running a graphics software.
The Dell Inspiron is powered by latest 8th generation Intel i7 processor and 8Gb RAM which can be upgraded to 16GB. 1TB hard disk storage is enough for your documents and media needs and a bonus storage in the form of 128 GB SSD for faster OS booting. Another feature that the programmers would like is its backlit keyboard. So they can work with lights off in the room without disturbing other’s sleep.
This sleek and compact beast weighs only around 5 pounds. You can easily carry it in a backpack without feeling any strain on the shoulders. This powerful and reasonable priced laptop is perfect for developing the apps. Free studio software for pc.
4. Acer Swift 3 Laptop
I won’t be wrong if I call it the best laptop of the year 2019 for coding and gaming segment. Whatever you want to run on it, it will impress you with its speed and graphics. The Acer Swift 3 model is equipped with NVidia GeForce MX 150 GPU with an impressive 2GB video RAM. The inbuilt GPU meets all the demanding graphics needs of playing and developing games.
At such an amazing price, the swift series laptop provides enough power for programming and designing needs. It is powered by 8th Generation Intel Core i7–8550U Processor with turbo boost technology and DDR4 RAM of 8 GB. To further boost the performance, the laptop is equipped with 128Gb SSD for quick booting and an addition storage device of 1 TB SATA HDD.
Acer Swift 3 comes with a full size backlit keyboard with tactile keys that are well separated for comfortable and speedy typing. You can work unplugged for the whole day since the battery offers a whopping backup of 12 hours. Other features include USB 3.1 Type C port, HD webcam, SD card reader and an FHD 15.6” screen.
This laptop is undoubtedly having all the premium features at a budget price and is highly recommended for students pursuing CS or Information technology degrees.
5. Apple MacBook Air New (2019)
If you wish to code with Swift or objective C, you need to buy a Mac laptop. This model from Apple is the latest launched MacBook you must seriously consider for developing iOS apps. Weighing less than 3 pounds, it is one of the lightest and sleek design MacBook, you can’t resist.
Apart from the mind boggling looks, this MacBook is a powerful machine equipped with 8th generationIntel i5 processor and 8 GB RAM. On the graphics front, the laptop has integrated Intel graphics (617) chip and a 13.3 Inches anti-reflective screen with a maximum of 2560×1600 resolution.
This latest MacBook is priced in mid-range and also features 256 GB SSD, SD card slot, thunderbolt 3 port and pre-installed with latest Mac OS. The hardware is enough for optimum performance while coding and developing games.
This model from apple is released in 2019 and has all the latest features and ports necessary for programming. Buy this exclusive MacBook Air at a budget price.
6. Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch Laptop
If you can spend little more, this is a high end model that is powered by latest 8th generation Intel i5 processor 2.3 GHz speed and 8 GB RAM for a powerful performance while reducing the power consumption compared to other laptop models. With graphics of Intel Iris Plus 655, the coders will be delighted with crisp and clear on-screen display.
The MacBook Pro comes equipped with a PCI-e based flash drive that has a capacity of 512 GB and speeds up the loading of apps and OS by at least 22 times. Talking about the speed, it offers the data transfer speed of 10 GBps with its innovative thunderbolt 3 technology.
The MacBook Pro is powered by Mac OS X El Capitan OS. You can work on the laptop on the go for 10 hours before recharging it. Said that, the MacBook has an intelligent power saving technology which automatically switches the graphics settings as per the needs.
Whether you do multitasking or run resource intensive coding apps, this is a machine you must pick for an all-round high performance and durability.
7. ASUS S510 15.6-inch Full-HD Laptop
Productivity and Portability are what this Asus S510 laptop offers. The sleek profile with thin bezel and a metallic body give it a premium and eye-catching appearance. It provides great efficiency as it is powered by latest 8th generationIntel i7 processor that is capable to handle any demanding workloads. The processing is done in such a way that the power is consumed in an optimum way to save the battery life.
A 512 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM ensures lightning fast booting of windows OS and quick launch of applications. The 15.6 Inches screen is fully HD with a max resolution of 1920×1080. The screen is anti-glare matte finish and the eye care mode reduces the blue light that is responsible for eye-fatigue.
Instead of a conventional Li-Ion battery, the S510 laptop battery is made from Lithium polymer that gives it 2.5 times more battery lifespan. Latest Asus laptops are always equipped with ice cool technology and S510 is no exception. It lets you carry out programming tasks comfortably without any heating issues.
8. Acer Aspire E15
Whether you intend to work on the android studio, IDLE or C #, this is an affordable and efficient laptop to consider seriously for programming. The Acer E15 comes with premium features and incredible design that is beyond expectation for a budget machine.
High performance is supported by a powerful Intel i5 processor (8th generation), 8GB RAM and a lightning fast Solid State Drive of 256 GB capacity. The icing on the cake is that there is an easy to open window at the back side for upgrading the RAM and SSD. At such a nominal price, you get NVIDIA GeForce 150MX GPU with GDDR5 2GB of video memory to handle any graphics demanding apps.
Other features that need a mention here are its 7-hour battery life for all day coding without plugging it to a power source. For clear and crisp visibility, the laptop has 15.6 inches of HD wide screen with max. resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Buy this obsidian black beauty from Acer packed with powerful features and you won’t regret for sure.
9. Dell XPS9570 15.6 Inches
This Dell Laptop has a thin profile with bezel less display screen. Dell XPS 15.6″ is a great replacement of a MacBook for an all-round enhanced performance. With stunning looks and high end features, this is the best laptop for college students.
You can’t get a better display than Dell XPS with FHD display (1920×1080) that provides clear view even at the wide angle of 170 degrees. With a 100 Adobe RGB color, you can work in brad-day light without any hassles. With a dedicated GPU of NVidia Geforce 1050(4GB VRAM) and you can easily operate the apps in a more interactive way.
For enhanced usability, the keyboard is powered by a backlit to enable you to type in dimly lit areas. Dell XPS is capable of handling all the programming languages. It is powered by the eighth generationi5 processor and 8 GB RAM. The storage needs are taken care by ultra-fast 256 GB SSD. The battery life of 10 hours is also worth-mentioning.
Dell XPX is highly recommended for students looking for portability combined with performance. The laptop has got high star ratings around the globe for its astonishing features.
10. Asus Zenbook
This is again a mid-range Ultrabook with 13.3 Inches display screen. This compact and sleek Zenbook from Asus is quite popular among students and travelers. The sturdy body of the Zenbook is made of all-metallic (aluminum) with a silver finish that adds to the premium looks of this laptop. Apart from its durable construction, the Zenbook comes with some impressive specifications.
2019 Macbook Pro
Asus Zenbook comes in various variants. This model UX333FA-DH51 is powered by Intel i5 processor (8th generation), 8GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD for faster loading of apps and OS. The laptop has full HD (1920×1080) 13.3 inches’ screen for clear images and graphic intensive apps.
The laptop is rightly priced and the features are perfect for those looking for software development work. The full-size keyboard is comfortable to work with 1.5mm key travel. It is pre-installed with windows OS and connectivity ports include HDMI, USB 3.1, Type-C, and micro SD card reader.
Apple macbook pro english. A budget Ultrabook with a thin profile, stunning performance, and 12-hour battery backup are enough to consider it for your programming needs.
Finally…
Best Macbook For Coding
Best Macbook For Coding 2019 Edition
This is a list of top 10 laptops which are best for all the programming or coding needs. I hope the buying guide and reviews of the hand-picked laptops will help you in making a right decision while picking the best laptop for programming.