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Android

Tobias Söderlund
Tobias Söderlund
1,900 Points
Posted by Tobias Söderlund
Tobias Söderlund
1,900 Points

Opinions regarding purchase of Coding-notebook for Android

Right now I'm learning to code in Android/Java, and i want to purchase a better notebook since my current notebook can't handle Android Studios .

Im currently deciding between these two alternatives:

Apple MacBook Air 13" 1.4 GHz i5 | 4 GB | 128 GB flash | HD Graphics 5000 (costs $1200)

and

Lenovo IdeaPad U330p Notebook 13,3" | 1,7 GHZ i5 | 8GB |SSD 128GB |HD Graphics 4400 (Costs $888)

Im thinking about buying the Lenovo, but will the Graphic-card difference affect anything in Android Studios? Or is it anything else i should take in consideration?

Best regards,

Tobias

5 Answers

Christopher Hamilton
Christopher Hamilton
8,432 Points

If you're interested in mobile development beyond Android keep in mind that you'd need Apple hardware to run OS X which in turn is a requirement to run the iOS development tools.

OS X can sometimes be slightly more "developer friendly" when it comes to certain tools. It's not such a deal-breaker with Android development but I know a few people who definitely prefer running their tools on OS X versus Windows.

However, if you're sure you'll devote your development to Android only then either should meet your needs.

The HD 5000 found on the MBA should outperform the HD 4400 but they are both decently capable Integrated options. They won't be able to stack up against a Dedicated GPU found in something like the MacBook Pro though.

Enjoy your new machine whichever one you choose :)

Edit: Maybe up the RAM on the MBA if you can and do opt for Apple hardware

Philip G
Philip G
14,600 Points
Philip G
Philip G
14,600 Points

If you're developing games, you may need the graphic card for the emulator. If not, from a objective view I would take the Lenvo because it has more RAM and only weights 0.2kg more than the MBA. In my personal opinion I would take the MBA.(Apple Fan) Comparison of the graphic cards

Lars Nielsen
Lars Nielsen
2,451 Points
Lars Nielsen
Lars Nielsen
2,451 Points

Note that the Lenovo properly ships with a Windows OS and as a developer I would strongly recommend a Unix-like OS as Ubuntu for the Lenovo machine, so you'll be able to use a proper terminal. The MBA also offers a proper terminal, but it's an expensive machine.

Tobias Söderlund
Tobias Söderlund
1,900 Points
Tobias Söderlund
Tobias Söderlund
1,900 Points

I get what you all are saying. Since I'm fairly new at coding(just watch my total points), I think that OS X will be easier for coding since Ben Jakuben uses OS X for his Android-lectures.

And as Lars is saying, that Ubuntu is favored when it comes to Windows-machines. I don't have any knowledge about Ubuntu, which is why I'm certain OS X will suit me better.

The main-problem is the price and the performance per $ for the MBA, since I'm still studying.

But im considering to buy the MBA more and more.

Christopher Hamilton
Christopher Hamilton
8,432 Points

Depending on regions but Apple do offer student discounts when purchasing a new machine. So maybe check if that's applicable to your area.

Ubuntu is a very friendly Linux desktop option if price is an issue meaning you can get non-Apple hardware and install that instead.

Lars Nielsen
Lars Nielsen
2,451 Points

Even though Ubuntu has become fairly easy to use, OS X is often better in many ways, but as you're saying yourself; price is a factor. If I could afford it I would choose the Mac; it's a well build machine with a long lifetime and it's easy; start it up and go. Considering the cheaper Lenovo and an open source OS like Ubuntu, you get a completely free OS on a powerful machine for less than the Mac.

Tobias Söderlund
Tobias Söderlund
1,900 Points
Tobias Söderlund
Tobias Söderlund
1,900 Points

Thank you all for your replies. I have found some discounts for students, which will lower the price down, and i will also upgrade the RAM to 8GB.

Looks like I'm buying the MBA after all. :)

Lars Nielsen
Lars Nielsen
2,451 Points

Alright, good luck with your purchase.

Philip G
Philip G
14,600 Points

Good Choice ;), I'm going to buy MBP 15" next time.