Macbook for programming. MacBook for the programmer. Is it worth it? Killer Feature: Touch Bar

Before buying a MacBook, I ran into a global question: “ Which screen size to choose on a MacBook? I tried googling this question, but I couldn't find any definitive answer. Everyone who advised 13" was not associated with development and, accordingly, did not sit around writing code for 10-14 hours a day. Then I decided that I should not look for reviews, but go and try out MacBooks in the store. It's better to touch everything once with your own hands than trying on other people's reviews.

Which MacBook package should you choose?

With the choice of equipment, I had no problems just. I need a laptop primarily for programming, which means that discrete video can be ignored. Developers are more interested in a good processor, the amount of RAM and the quality of the display. Initially, I walked around for a long time around the MacBook Air, which bribed me with its dimensions, but when I saw the image quality on the Retina display, I immediately threw it out of the list of contenders for the purchase.

I can’t say anything bad about the handsome MacBook Air, but it loses significantly in terms of display quality (of course), and it’s noisy under serious loads.

I started looking towards a MacBook Pro with a Core i7 configuration, 8GB Ram and 256GB SSD. Newer MacBooks don't allow you to upgrade your RAM, so it's best to make sure you have enough of it right away. Ideally, take models with 16 gigabytes on board, but then you need to be prepared for additional waste. I was categorically not ready for them, so I stopped at 8. This volume for my tasks is more than enough for the next 2-3 years, and after that you can think about replacing the workhorse.

Now again about inches

In the store, I really liked the model with a 13 "screen diagonal. Offhand, everything fits, and the laptop looks damn mobile, but still decided to stop at the 15" model. It doesn't seem to be much larger than 13", but it's much more comfortable to hold on my lap, and I can often work from a prone position.

After the purchase, after installing and running XCode, I realized that 13" would probably be small. For application development, you still need a larger screen and 15" is the preferred option. In my opinion, this is the optimal screen size for development. In any case, I feel comfortable working for him. There are situations when there is a shortage and 15 ". In such cases, there is nothing better than a high-quality monitor at hand.

Who is the MacBook Pro Retina 13" suitable for?

If your work is not related to development and consists only in writing texts, then you can not hesitate and take the 13" model. You will feel quite comfortable and, if desired, you can always expand your workspace by connecting your MacBook to a full-fledged monitor.

Friends, if you are also going to buy a MacBook and you have questions, please contact us. I will gladly try to help.

Professionals in their field, whether they are musicians, programmers or anyone else, choose the MacBook for many reasons.

There are cases in which the consumer is forced to buy computers from the Cupertinos. For example, if a programmer wants to write products for iOS or macOS, then he has no choice but to buy a Mac. The fact is that the tools he needs are available only on this desktop platform.

So, here are 10 reasons why professionals choose Apple laptops over HP, Acer, Asus or any other manufacturer.

Ecosystem

No operating system can boast such a perfect ecosystem as macOS. Many call this feature the main advantage of the Cupertinos, because all their devices are tightly integrated with each other.

For example, if you own a MacBook and an Apple Watch smart watch, then you can set both gadgets so that the second one unlocks the first one. Walk up to your computer with this device on your arm, and it will automatically activate and instantly become ready for use.

When a call arrives on the phone, a corresponding notification appears on the Mac screen with the "Accept" and "Reject" buttons. Moreover, the user of such a bundle can make calls from a computer, if it is more convenient for him. And if you also have an Apple TV, then transferring the desired image to its screen is as easy as shelling pears.

To be fair, it is worth noting that sometimes users encounter problems when a particular function does not work or is buggy. Most often this happens on older devices that have compatibility issues.

Screen

Apple equips most of its modern computers with high-quality displays, which it calls Retina. In fact, these are ordinary liquid crystal IPS panels with an increased pixel density. Their pixels cannot be seen with the naked eye, which has a positive effect on the displayed image. Reading text and editing photos is thus a real pleasure. And accurate color display and a high contrast ratio are another couple of advantages of Retina screens.

2017 MacBook Pro 15"

Also, engineers from Cupertino pay special attention to the quality of the fonts used in their products - they always remain readable and legible. What's more, with its new 2016 MacBook Pro computers, Apple is using a new technology that preserves beautiful font detail at any resolution.

Most of all, professionals are interested in various little things, such as the presence of a built-in Night Shift blue light filter, which, according to experts, protects against the effects of harmful radiation. There is also an automatic screen brightness, which makes using the MacBook even more convenient.

Night Shift mode allows you to improve the quality of sleep and get rid of the negative impact on vision.

Keyboard and trackpad

Apple laptops have the best keyboards and trackpads on the market. MacBook owners, I think, will not argue with me. Let's start with the keyboard. The company equips it with adjustable backlight, which is able to change the brightness depending on the ambient light. If your room is dark, then when you open the laptop, the keys will automatically light up.

The button press mechanism used is reliable and comfortable. In the latest iteration of the MacBook and MacBook Pro, Apple uses its second-generation Butterfly technology, which features very short key travel. Writers and journalists speak especially well of it, noting that the typing speed has slightly increased.

The Trackpad touch input panel, in the form in which the Cupertino engineers offer it, will be more convenient than any mouse for most people. First of all, you don't have to take a separate mouse with you when traveling - the built-in input device supports a huge number of gestures that make it easier to work on the computer. Secondly, the trackpad of each MacBook is very accurate in determining the position of the finger. For many people who edit videos or process photos, it turns out to be enough. Moreover, this year Apple has increased the working space of these touch panels, so that their use has become even more convenient.

Versatility

This feature will be of interest to a smaller circle of users than a keyboard or trackpad, but it turns out to be key for many professionals. The fact is that the macOS platform, unlike any other, allows you to install Windows if you need it. The Windows operating system, in turn, does not have enough features to install macOS. As I said, for example, an iOS developer cannot do without an Apple computer, which is why consumers choose it for their purposes.

I note that you can launch the desktop platform from Microsoft on a Mac not in one, but in two different ways at once. The first involves using the built-in Boot Camp Assistant tool, which installs the full Windows OS from your image. The second is implemented using a virtual machine.

The most interesting thing is the fact that the user is required to do nothing - download the Windows image from the official Microsoft website and proceed with the installation, which occurs in semi-automatic mode.

Parallels Desktop or VMware Fusion tools for working with virtual machines cost relatively little money, and if you often resort to using Windows, then buying any of these programs is completely justified.

Autonomy and portability

Apple pays special attention to the autonomy of its portable devices, and the MacBook line of computers is no exception. If you are constantly on the road, then it will be very difficult for you to find a computer that lasts as long as the MacBook. The Cupertinos don't lie when they say their new 2016 MacBook Pro lasts 10 hours on a single charge. Each usage scenario is different, so the numbers may vary.

These computers not only have long battery life, but also charge quickly. Cupertinos complete their laptops with powerful power supplies that can charge a capacious battery in a short period of time. Speaking of new MacBook models, they are equipped with USB Type-C ports, any of which can be connected to a power adapter. Moreover, the new universal interface (Type-C) allows you to get power from portable batteries or Power Bank, as they are called officially. That is, if the laptop is discharged on the road, then we take such a gadget and recharge it.

I should also note that the batteries used in the MacBook are of unparalleled quality. Thus, these self-contained power supplies can work for years, while losing an insignificant part of their capacity. As an example, I will give my old MacBook Pro 15 ”2012, the battery of which still provides the computer with 5-6 hours of work.

The dimensions of laptops in this line allow you to carry them with you anytime and anywhere. The largest of the 2016 Pros weighs just 1.83kg and still offers great performance and battery life. It is also very thin - 1.55 cm. The more compact model, at 13 inches, already weighs 1.37 kg, with a body thickness of 1.49 cm. And the regular MacBook 12 boasts a weight of 0.92 kg and a thickness of 1.31 cm. Given the compact dimensions of any of the above computers, you can easily put it in your bag or backpack and go on a trip around the world or a business trip.

Software and Security

The strength of every Apple computer is the operating system and the applications available for it. The platform itself boasts a complete set of utilities and tools that a professional needs. Everything for Windows is available on macOS. Today, the Cupertino desktop OS is so widespread that developers no longer think about whether to release a version for Mac or not.

The second thing that attracts professionals is reliability and stability. When buying a MacBook, a person is sure that the computer will not let him down, as Apple optimizes its software for the hardware selected by its own engineers. This minimizes the occurrence of system failures. Good optimization also has a positive effect on overall performance, which is one of the main advantages of this platform.

Equally important is the degree of security that the operating system offers. There are viruses, but they very rarely manage to integrate into the system and harm the computer. Moreover, there is no need for an antivirus, which can take a significant share of the budget.

Convenience and simplicity

I have already talked about the benefits of the ecosystem, keyboard and trackpad. But, that's not all. First of all, the MacBook is a portable computer that you can carry with you everywhere and always - this is facilitated by its good autonomy. On top of that, the complete power supply unit of very compact dimensions allows you to take it with you on the road and not experience discomfort. In older MacBook models, the charging wire is non-removable and it is wound on special hooks. In modern models, the power adapter wire is completely removable, which also has its advantages.

I will add that if you have an iPad or iPhone (as well as an Apple Watch), then you will have access to the extremely convenient “Continuity” function, which, in addition to making calls, creates a universal clipboard. It also allows you to continue working on any Apple device available to you if you started it on another. Same story with short messages. Nothing prevents the user from starting to write SMS on a smartphone, and completing it on a MacBook.

Simplicity lies in the fact that you do not need to study a complex manual to understand how this or that function works. I think the best example would be the wireless AirPods headset, which the user connects to the MacBook in a matter of seconds. And if you are faced with the task of connecting AirPods to the iPhone, then in this case you do not need to do anything at all. Just open the case with the earbuds and they will automatically connect to your smartphone, meaning they will be ready to go in just a moment.

Busy people who value their time, MacBook attracts with its ease of setup. Cupertino engineers did everything for the user. He can work calmly without being distracted by unnecessary opportunities.

Siri voice assistant

Among the desktop OS, you will not find the same advanced voice assistant as Siri. It is deeply integrated into the system, and the number of commands seems innumerable. If you fully understand the usefulness of this assistant, then it will definitely become one of the main reasons for choosing an Apple MacBook.

In terms of features, Siri on Macs does the same thing as on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. She gladly answers various kinds of questions - nothing new. It is most convenient to search for files with it, without looking up from current affairs. For example, you can send any message while editing photos in Photoshop. You can simply click on the Siri icon in the upper right corner of the screen or press and hold a user-friendly keyboard shortcut. This assistant recognizes Russian speech well, I like it.

Performance

People can say all they want that outdated components are installed inside the MacBook, but that's not the point. Apple may indeed use a non-latest generation processor. However, the fastest SSD drive and RAM more than compensate for all the flaws. Thus, the laptops of this line have enough power to remain relevant for 4-6 years from the date of release. This theory is once again confirmed by my 5-year-old 15-inch Pro-frame.

Unlike competing Windows computers, Macbooks are as fast as they were on day one. I think no musician or programmer has the desire to reinstall the system because it started to “slow down”. For example, I haven’t reinstalled macOS for so long that I forgot how to do it.

time machine

Time Machine is a tool without which it is difficult to imagine the life of a true professional. It allows you to regularly back up all user data to an external drive, which ultimately guarantees their recovery. If, for example, you lost your laptop or it was simply stolen from you, you can restore the backup you created earlier on another MacBook and continue working as if nothing had happened. Time Machine will return every bookmark in the browser, all passwords and applications.

By making regular backups, the user will then be able to restore the document he needs or the file that is lost somewhere. The recovery time of the necessary data depends on their weight and the read speed of the external drive. I recommend purchasing a portable SSD rather than an HDD as it is much faster, more reliable and more secure.

An SSD type disk is devoid of moving particles, so its resource is much higher than an HDD. Thanks to this, your backups will all be safe.

This tool is available on every Apple computer, including MacBooks.

conclusions

Reasons, as for me, are enough for the user to choose a MacBook, and not any other computer. Apple's desktop operating system requires minimal intervention from the user, so he can focus on his work, and not on which antivirus or driver to install.

Do you know why the MacBook line is so popular with DJs and their colleagues? It's not about the ecosystem, autonomy or banal convenience. The macOS platform, unlike Windows, has a useful technology that allows you to minimize any delays while monitoring audio recording or processing, although you will not notice any difference during audio playback.

I wonder why you chose the Macbook?

A good laptop for programming is a concept that includes laptops with different characteristics.

In the list of mobile PCs that may suit an IT specialist with experience or only, there are different options - from to models with large 17-inch screens.

All of them must meet a number of specific requirements.

Features of choice

When choosing the right laptop for programming in 2018, as before, are guided by the following criteria:

• Dimensions (and associated weight). It is desirable that the laptop be sufficiently compact and lightweight - however, the dimensions of its screen should not be less than a certain value. The best option is a display with a diagonal of 14", but in some cases there may be a slight deviation up or down - from 12.5 to 17 inches.
• Screen resolution. The minimum resolution that is suitable for creating a website, writing a program, or testing ready-made applications is 1920x1080 or FullHD. The maximum value is not specified - if you have financial opportunities, you can buy a laptop even with 4K format.
• Autonomy. It is desirable that even when fully loaded, the laptop works for at least 3 hours - the maximum time is also not specified, but for some models it reaches 10 hours or more. Although, on the other hand, the larger the battery capacity, the heavier the equipment.

To work with conventional software environments, not the most productive hardware is suitable - for example, a dual-core processor and 4 GB of memory will suffice. However, given the need to include other programs, and use the same laptop to perform a wide range of tasks (from starting up to), it is desirable to have a more modern device.

Specific requirements should also be compared with the financial capabilities of the programmer, since the price is also among the most important criteria.

Specifications

Lenovo ThinkPad E470 - best value for money

The ThinkPad E470 model from the well-known Chinese brand Lenovo can be called the best laptop for a programmer.

The laptop has the best value for money among all the options offered by the modern market.

This characteristic is enough for many users to immediately purchase a model - the rest will be interested in its impressive parameters.

Igor T.: I bought the Surface Pro model in almost the maximum possible configuration. The price "bites" a little, but it is compensated by the presence of a powerful Intel processor. Minus - a very high price. Although it is unlikely that anyone will buy such a model for use as a multimedia or gaming (especially since the video card is built-in) laptop.

Apple MacBook Pro 15″ 2016 - "Macbook" with a large screen

Another "Macbook" in the review can be called a little outdated - it was released back in 2015 and 2016.

However, all the characteristics of the laptop are still serious enough to use it when creating programs or websites, and for games, and for performing other tasks.

Especially when it comes to configuration with 16 GB of memory and 512 GB.

• large and bright touch screen with a resolution of 2880x1800 - enough to work with any applications and play movies in FullHD and 2K;
• long operating time without recharging, up to 9-10 hours. Although at maximum load this figure decreases to only 3 hours, this is also not bad, since it is not easy to fully load such a powerful laptop;
• light weight for a 15-inch model and slim body.

Oleg S.: I bought an Apple MacBook Pro 15″ on the advice of friends who have already chosen it as their home mobile PC. I needed it for work - and it completely fit in all respects. First of all, I would like to note the high-quality assembly and excellent keyboard with a convenient trackpad. I liked the color rendition of the laptop, and the screen is large enough for programming.

Lenovo ThinkPad T560 - big power in a slim design

The Lenovo ThinkPad T560's sleek and slim body packs a decent amount of hardware that's good enough for gaming, programming, and a myriad of other tasks.

Bright and anti-dust and anti-glare protected, the 15.6-inch display of the mobile computer has an optimal FullHD resolution.

The amount of storage for information storage is 256 GB, RAM - 8 GB, a sufficiently productive dual-core chip is used as a CPU on a laptop.

• processor and RAM with decent capabilities - if not for the integrated graphics, they would be enough even for modern games;
• the ability to open the screen 180 degrees;
• the presence of, increasing the security of data stored on a laptop;
• high strength of the case and a large battery capacity, providing up to 13 hours of continuous operation without recharging;
• a built-in HD camera that allows you to use the laptop also for video conferencing.

• There are also disadvantages to a mobile PC - basically, they are associated with not the highest performance when used. However, given the price category of the gadget and the fact that it will be used mainly for programming, these disadvantages can be neglected.

Nicholas O.: Impressed by such performance ThinkPad T560 as a long time - you can use at least 10 hours. I can call a small drawback the freezing of some applications - but only after some time after the start of work.

ACER Aspire A515-41G-1888 is one of the most functional

The Aspire A515-41G-1888 laptop is an excellent example of a good and relatively inexpensive mobile computer that can be used for both programming and .

The model is equipped with a good 4-core and discrete video Radeon RX 540 with 2 GB of memory, 8 GB DDR4 and a 128 GB solid state drive to speed up system applications.

The second disk, a 1TB HDD, provides storage for a large amount of information.

• a large number of connectors for connecting external devices;
• body surface that does not collect fingerprints and requires less time for maintenance;
• long working time.

• There is only one noticeable minus for this price category of laptops. The model does not have the most productive video card to work with. Therefore, if you need to work with such graphics, you should look for a more functional laptop.

Andrew B.: Excellent model for its price. Plenty of storage space, plenty of memory and a big screen. At the same time, the laptop remains light and easy to carry. I found almost no cons.

HP 255 G5 - convenient and inexpensive

Rice. 8. Compact and affordable laptop HP 255 G5.

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Since the MacBook Air is a great computer, I can say yes to your use.

Another option is a MacBook Pro 13"" without Touch Bar. More power, better screen (important when you spend hours on string codes).

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To answer your question about air: Yes.

You may want to consider broader options as well. For the MacBook in general, the biggest benefit in app development is that you get XCode and the best experience when developing iPhone/iPad apps and Mac apps.

However, in your case, it looks like you're not into mobile development, and price and/or weight is an issue since you're considering a MacBook Air.

If you're open to windows, take a look at something like the HP x360 which is well reviewed and has advantages over the MacBook Air:

• MBA is limited to 8GB of RAM, while HP allows 16GB. This may be important for software development.
• MBA only supports old style USB 3. HP supports USB type C 3.1 which can charge laptop or drive external monitor.
• HP has a timezone hinge that lets you fold the screen back like a tablet. Not a big use case, but actually useful sometimes.
• The MBA resolution is 1440x900 and the HP resolution is Full HD 1080p.

Price and battery life are very similar between the two in the 256GB/8GB configuration.

Of course, Apple constantly supports and knows how to use its stores.

If you have a strong requirement to stay on the Apple platform, I would suggest revisiting the MacBook Pro 13. Overall, it's a better fit for machine development, and it really isn't that hard to port.

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I would get a MacBook over a MacBook Air if you can afford it.

• better screen
• better storage
• better CPU

The MacBook has NVMe storage that outperforms older technology in terms of IOPS and power savings - for containers and Dev running and open source compilations. I am very happy with the 2015 MacBook and the new ones are even better. Any processor in them is great, so don't feel like you have to pay for an m7/i7 if you'd rather spend the money on storage or accessories or a better display. In terms of performance, you can program a raspberry pi or three if you think you need more "containers" to run. Unless I'm virtualizing something heavy like Windows, I won't miss the MacBook Pro processor and hardware with my MacBook. It is said: "Air" is also too qualified for what you are describing.