The digital era demands proficiency with devices meaning demand for software developers is on the rise. Every business is embracing e-commerce and using it as a marketing tool. Websites and digital advertising has significant effect on revenues of a company. In fact, it can be the distinguishing factor between competing companies. The rapid advancement in technology also attributes to the increased need for software.
Besides demand, there is room for creativity because every firm wants to be unique. Market demand in all industries is changing on a daily basis. The only way to keep up with trends in technology and other aspects of business across the world is through technology. Moreover, the ultimate goal of all companies is venturing in international trade; globalization requires efficiency of services through e-commerce tools.
Apart from the business and corporate world, social networks demand speed and efficiency. Sharing files, news, travel photos demand more clarity and speed. All these are opportunities and demand for software engineers.
Role of software engineers
Software engineering is mainly about solutions. Problem solving is the focus in this career field; this won’t be possible without the right tools. While laptops have diverse needs including entertainment, it is the primary tool for software engineers. Laptops are designed with different specifications to suit different needs.
To these engineers, buying a laptop entails numerous considerations. There are minimum specifications on a laptop features that can make it suitable for work.
- The type of operating system
- Processor speed
- Size of RAM
- Size of Hard drive or Solid State Drive
- Graphics level of the laptop
If you are a beginner in the field, whether on your first assignment at work or joining college to study software engineering, you have to analyze the 5 features before buying a laptop. Identifying a suitable OS is dependent on your preferred programing language. This should be your first consideration before you think of the type of laptop.
Here is a selection of the top 5 laptops irrespective of your programming preferences.
ASUS VivoBook F510UA
If you are on a tight budget and need a proper laptop for programming, this is a great option. The ASUS laptop runs 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U quad-core processor. The laptop runs on 8GB RAM, which is perfect for any coding tasks. It also support multitasking.
It is fitted with UHD 620 graphics for programming. While gamers find it interesting, the laptop is designed for developers. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is enough to keep you focused throughout the night. Whether you are learning or an expert, the laptop gives you ultimate experience. It has anti-glare effect and enough brightness for all lighting conditions.
Acer Aspire E15
The Acer model is among the top selling laptops because of its high reputation, especially among students in programming. It can handle all the complex programs and all combinations that you think can slow down a machine.
It runs on 8th generation Intel Core i5 quad-core processor. 8GB Ram makes it more effective in programming. It is distinguished on the list as the most recommended laptop for programming because of its Nvidia GeForce MX150 2GB DDR5 video memory. Besides, the 256GB SSD increase sits performance level.
Additional features include backlit keys and a powerful battery to last you an average of 12 hours. The manufacturer leaves space for enhancement; the laptop has an extra RAM slot and empty disk for storage expansion.
Dell XPS 15
The Dell model is exceptional because of its graphics and portable nature. Most people find it suitable for programming because it is light hence convenient for coding sessions indoors and outdoors. The laptop is also fitted with a long lasting battery to go for at least 12 hours when on consistent use. The laptop is fitted with carbon-fiber design and touchscreen 15-inch display hence easy maneuvering.
The technical features are even better. It has Intel Core i7 coffee lake CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU. This is incomparable to laptops of his size and price. Backlit keyboard and 1.5mm keys makes it perfect for long hours of coding. It also includes 2 USB ports of 3.0 and a built-in memory card reader. 512gb SSD and 6GB RAM makes it the best for programming.
Apple MacBook Pro 15
The 2018 release by Apple has incredible specs. The features are not only fancy but functional.
The laptop has coffee lake i7 6-core processor combined with 16GB RAM as well as AMD Radeon Pro 555x graphics. The processor can withstand any kind of multitasking, running code, working as a server, and 20 tabs on the browser will not slow down its performance. It is fitted with 256GB SSD perfect for all programmer needs.
Apple MacBook Air 13
Besides the incredible design, the 13.3-inch laptop is great for programming. It is powered by dual-core Intel Core i5 processor combined with an 8GB RAM. The 128GB SSD storage is also sufficient for all programming requirements. The backlit keyboard and cooling mechanism makes it suitable for long coding hours overnight. It remains cool and efficient when running multiple tasks. Among the best MacBook models for programming, it is the most affordable.
While software engineering is about creativity and analytical skills, you need a proper laptop to actualize your thoughts.
