I'm new to programming and I'm diving into game development. Right now, I only have a PC at home, but I want to get a laptop that I can use while I'm out or on lunch breaks at work. What are some recommendations for a good laptop that can handle game development tasks?
3 Answers
If you're set on game development, consider a MacBook Pro—it’s great for creative work and runs many development tools well.
It really depends on the type of games you're planning to develop. If you're focusing on casual games, you could get away with almost any laptop, as long as it's not super cheap (like below $600) because that might lead to storage or CPU issues. For more intensive games, especially when using engines like Unreal or Unity, I recommend getting a laptop with at least a dedicated GPU—aim for something with a GeForce 3060 or better. For coding itself, you don't need a high-end machine, even cheaper modern laptops are fine for that.
Pretty much any laptop should do the trick, especially since you’re just starting out. One thing I think is crucial is RAM—16GB is the bare minimum I'd recommend. Check out resources by YouTuber Just Josh; he does solid laptop reviews and has a video specifically about the best laptops for programmers. That could be a great starting point for you.
Thanks! I was mainly concerned about having decent RAM and storage. I wasn’t sure how much the other specs would matter.
Thanks for the insight! I’m not looking for anything too intensive since I have a gaming PC at home for that. I plan to focus mostly on 2D games and pixel art.