I want to learn programming but have barely used a computer recently. My 2013 MacBook has a failing battery that may be unsafe, while most of my entertainment has been handled through an iPad Pro, Xbox, and phones. What sort of device and specifications should I look for to begin coding comfortably?
3 Answers
The device matters less than starting with the tools you already have. You could follow lessons on a phone or tablet, but you'll probably want a laptop once you begin writing larger programs. Programming is generally not demanding unless you're doing things like 3D game development, so focus on reliability, a comfortable keyboard, and an operating system that supports the software you want to use.
Technically, almost anything that can edit text will let you write code—even very old computers or a phone with a coding app. In practice, a real keyboard and a full desktop operating system make learning much easier. A reasonably priced used ThinkPad or similar business laptop would be a much better option than relying on an iPad or a laptop with a failing battery.
You don't need an especially powerful machine for most programming. A laptop with 16 GB of RAM, an i5 or Ryzen 5 processor, and an SSD should handle learning, web development, and most general projects well. Eight gigabytes can work if the memory is upgradeable, but 16 GB will be more comfortable. Recent Apple silicon MacBooks are also plenty capable.
That makes sense. I was hoping to avoid spending much, so a used laptop with a safe battery and a proper keyboard sounds like the practical middle ground.