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William Matheny
Python Development Techdegree Graduate 32,198 PointsWhat is a good pc for a coder?
I am looking to purchase a pc but Iām not sure what to get.
1 Answer
Louise St. Germain
19,424 PointsHi William,
That's a pretty open-ended question, but I guess the answer I would give is that it depends on what kind of coding you plan to do. I think for the most part, pretty much any PC is fine since most files containing code are relatively small, and especially if you are learning to code, chances are that basically any PC on the market today can handle what you are programming. I think where there might start to be exceptions are if you are planning to work with very large data sets/big data or huge databases, or if you're programming something that requires intense use of graphics (e.g., games, or you're also going to be doing graphic design), you would likely want to prioritize a fast processor and a lot of memory when looking for a computer. The other exception is that if you're planning to develop for iOS (e.g., programming in Swift), you'd be better off with a Mac instead of a PC.
Then there are considerations like the monitor, mouse, etc., which are more about ergonomics and workflow. I personally just use a relatively small laptop and it's fine (I have an HP Envy and it's generally fine, though a bit slow on Adobe Creative Suite programs). Some people prefer larger monitors, especially if they need to be looking at files side by side for whatever reason.
Your choice will most likely just come down to your personal preferences for size, need for hard drive space, memory, etc., balanced against the price.
Michael Cook
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 28,975 PointsMichael Cook
Full Stack JavaScript Techdegree Graduate 28,975 PointsIt doesn't really matter in most cases. Programmers use certain software packages most of which would run fine on any newer computer. If you're running Windows 98 or 2000 with an old machine with little RAM, then you might want to upgrade. Otherwise, you don't need to worry much about the computer you're using.