What computer for programming?

[Baconator]

I am going to start on developing on Android. I want to make REALLY good games but before I do I need a really good computer to develop on. So should I get a Mac Book pro or a windows 7? I was already told not to get a Macbook pro so that may be out of the question. What do you recommend. Thanks!

 

[Yourdogsdead]

A Macbook Pro is a Mac . It is also a very good laptop. Do you want a laptop or a desktop?

 

[Baconator]

IK I meant Macbook pro when I said mac. I want a laptop

 

[Yourdogsdead]

There is nothing wrong with a mac, they are very nice computers. They are just expensive. If you want a nice windows machine, I can recommend Asus, Sony and Dell. The HP envy is also a good computer, for HP anyway. What other requirements do you have?

 

[Baconator]

None. I have an iMac and a Dell with Vista but I want a new computer that I can use for nothing but developing. I might get a macbook pro but I will wait because I hear there are new ones supposed to come out sometime the beginning of this year. A windows would be good also. I have no requirements except it has to be able to let me develop Android apps on it.

 

[Baconator]

No HP's. I had one and it broke down fast. I liked it better than the Dell but the Dell lasted longer.

 

[Yourdogsdead]

The Android SDK is multi-platform, so whatev. If you are going to develop, I would recommend a faster processor. It's always good to have one, so an i7 would be good. I would wait until Sandy Bridges becomes more prevalent in computers. It's a nice performance boost.

I have a Sony Vaio Y. Very nice laptop, with a decent enough battery life. You can get it with an i5, and dedicated graphics. The keyboard is a chicket/island and the trackpad is non-textured. IT DOES NOT HAVE A DISK DRIVE. Don't know if that matters to you or not.

Fair enough on the HP, they burned a lot of people. They are improving though. Dell's business line is also pretty good.

 

[Baconator]

I might just get MacBook pro. I will wait for the new ones. I like them because they last forever. Not literally but they don't break down as much as the Windows computers. I had a desktop and it was always getting fixed. The iMac has never messed up. I will wait for the new Macbook Pros to come out. Or I might just get one now I don't think there will be that much of a difference. For now I will just study and practice on my Dell. Thanks!

 

[NickA]

Go for a Macbook. I say this because once you start developing apps for one platform, you will soon realize that creating apps for iPhone and Android will bring you more revenue. You can run Eclipse on a Mac or PC, and you can dual boot your Mac to Windows 7 (or Vista, XP, etc.) and Mac OS. You'll need a Mac for iPhone dev.

I wrote a handful of iPhone apps on a 13.3" Macbook, and it worked great. I hooked it up to an external keyboard and 23" display so it was just like a desktop. But the battery life on the thing was 6 hours.

 

[Baconator]

Yeah you are right. I can develop apps for both platforms. What do you mean with "dual-boot"?

 

[Yourdogsdead]

He probably means run Windows with boot camp. It's dual booting Windows and OSX.

 

[Baconator]

???? I am still learning LOL ????

 

[Yourdogsdead]

You can have Windows 7 on your Mac and the Mac OS on there. I have Ubuntu and Windows on my computer. You can only develop apps for the Iphone on Mac computers, so it's a win for you to have a Mac.

 

[Baconator]

Oh ya I knew that but I didn't know what Dual-boot meant. So I will have to download Windows on my Mac if I get a Mac

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Yeah, you have to have a copy of Windows and a License Key.

 

[Baconator]

Do I have to Buy it??

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Do I have to Buy it??

Yes, but if you really wanted to pirate it you could I guess.

 

[Baconator]

I am sorry for all these questions but about how much.. I am sorry.

 

[Yourdogsdead]

Wouldn't be here if I didn't want to answer them.

Windows 7 Home Premium is 177 on Amazon. Here is the link.