What Specifications Should I Look for in a Laptop for Coding?

You can definitely code on a laptop with an Intel i5 (8th gen) and 8GB of RAM, but if your budget allows it, aim for something more powerful. A Ryzen 5 5600X with at least 16GB RAM would give you a great experience, especially if you want to use resource-intensive programs. Think about getting a good graphics card too, depending on what you can afford.

What career path are you aiming for? Keep in mind that many big tech firms issue MacBooks, so getting familiar with macOS could be advantageous. A MacBook Pro with the M3 or M4 chip can last you a good five years!

It really depends on your budget. If you’re starting out with limited funds, almost any laptop will do as long as it has at least 16GB of RAM. As you learn more, you'll figure out the type of laptop that suits you best without blowing all your money on the wrong choice. Consider looking for refurbished models or ones on sale. Also, don’t stress too much about the OS – use what you’re comfortable with! Just remember to focus on learning the basics well.

Make sure the laptop is Windows 11 compatible and has an SSD. For a beginner, you don't need any fancy specs. Aim for something with 16GB of RAM and a free slot for future upgrades.

To have the best experience, get the fastest CPU you can afford (prioritize speed over cores), as much RAM as you can (dev tools are RAM-hungry), and a good display. Consider getting an external monitor since you'll be spending a lot of time coding, and eye strain is a real issue.