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Android

Julius Williams
Julius Williams
2,522 Points
Posted by Julius Williams
Julius Williams
2,522 Points

Laptop specs for android development?

I'm looking to invest in a new latpop, but want to make sure I'm getting the appropriate specs to successfully run all the programs, associated with Android development, smoothly.

For a bit of background, I plan to start getting into this field professionally later in the year and this will be my main machine both at home and on the go, and both for coding and personal use, and so I'm hoping to make it as future-proof as possible to get as much life out of it as I can before the specs become outdated. I'm looking at a Windows 8 machine and am concerned primarily with a few factors:

Processor: Will a core i7 quad core (or dual core) will provide a noticeable improvement over how a core i5 would perform. I ask this first when it comes to coding and second when it comes to future-proofing (if the answer would not be the same for both factors).

RAM: Some things I've read say 4gb will do, others say you need at least 8gb. (for development specifically, since I can always add more in the future).

Screen: From what I've been seeing, a 15" with a touch screen runs about the same cost as an equivalent, 17" without a touch screen. I'd like the extra screen real estate, since it will be my main machine, but am not sure if having a touch screen may have some type of advantage when it comes to development.

If I'm missing any important factors that I should be considering, please let me know.

Any thoughts or help you guys have would be much appreciated.

Timothy Williams
Timothy Williams
1,536 Points
Timothy Williams
Timothy Williams
1,536 Points

If it is new (made in 2014+), and can run Windows 8, then it will definitely run Android Studio. I really feel no difference running it on a $200 AMD laptop or my i7 desktop. The emulator probably is a little quicker on an i7. All of these machines will work. 8 gigs+ will help more with graphics programs (Photoshop) editing icons. I just came back from a 17" obsession. I promise when you lug the monster around or find it won't even open fully on the airplane tray in front of you to watch a movie on that 3 hour flight, you will with you bought a 15" or a flip-over 15" (love them!).