RAM becomes critical when running Xcode with an application like Adobe Photoshop or a graphics-heavy program. The latest version of Xcode may still run on 4GB RAM but barely 8GB should be the absolute minimum but more is always better.
Xcode (the primary tool used for macOS and iOS development) is a memory hog. Related: 9 Best Laptops for AutoCAD (Designers Guide) MacBook Air: Required specs vs recommended for programming This membership gives you access to beta software, extensive beta testing tools, and advanced app features including app statistics. Membership in the Apple Developer Program is also a must if you want to sell apps on the App Store. You will definitely need to run macOS using Xcode, the primary tool for macOS and iOS development.Įven apps developed on laptops other than a Mac will need to be compiled on a Mac before it can be uploaded to the App Store. On the other hand, you cannot run macOS on Windows.Ī Mac becomes even more important if you are thinking of developing apps for the App Store.
To run Windows, you just need to install an application like Bootcamp or a virtual machine like Parallels on another partition of your drive and you are good to go. Any price and availability information displayed on at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: In this post we’re going to cover why a Macbook Air is good for programming, what makes it ideal for programming, and why it might be a the ideal choice if you’re on a budget. Related: Is a MacBook Air Good for Video Editing (The Truth)
This is because the Mac Pro has an improved Gpu and overall enhanced performance on the tech spec side when compared to the MacBook Air. While a Macbook Air is sufficient for programming and works well, the Macbook Pro of course provides a more powerful performance… allowing for programmers to handle multiple external monitors much easier and efficiently without lag or stutter. Myself, as well as the programmers we polled, found the MacBook Air worked perfect for programming as it met all the requirements and is sleek, modern, and extremely fun to use.
Keep in mind, while a MacBook Air is adequate enough for most programming tasks, the Macbook pro is of course preferred if you’re looking to program as a professional or just want an extremely quick machine without problems for years to come. Should you choose a MacBook Pro over the air for programming and if so, why? Is the Macbook Pro good for programming? While many expert programmers can agree that the Macbook Air is good for programming, the question still remains: exactly how good? You can read our complete legal information for more details. If you make a purchase through links from this website, we may get a small share of the sale from Amazon and other similar affiliate programs. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases made on our website.