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As technology has developed, programmers have become the basic skills needed. Programming is required to create various applications, websites, and software.
For hassle-free programming, you need the right skills and a top-of-the-line laptop. MacBooks are well-designed, well-featured laptops you can use in various ways, but is MacBook Air good for programming?
Is MacBook Air Good for Coding?
Yes, the MacBook Air is a good option for coding. A new M1 chip is present in MacBook Air, and it is perfect for complicated programming tasks and is powerful enough to handle them. Among all Apple devices, the MacBook ranks number one in battery timing, another reason for its popularity among coders.
It’s a good idea to use the MacBook Air for coding. It’s equipped with a new M1 chip, which helps handle complex programming tasks. Another reason the MacBook is popular among coders is that it has the best battery life and high performance.
It has 11-hour continuous battery life. You can complete time-consuming programming tasks without fear of running out of power due to long battery life. You can easily travel with this device as it comes with long battery life.
Apart from the storage space, the processor, RAM, and the silent operation are also salient features that make the Apple MacBook one of the best laptops for programming. If you’re coding, you should opt for the new MacBook Air for all of these reasons.
What Makes a Laptop Ideal for Coding?
A programmer who wants a laptop needs a lot of specs. As part of programming, you have to write some coding, which is problematic. Understanding coding is the same whether you are doing it for a website, a game, or an application.
Coding is a complex process, so it is essential to have a high-end laptop for coding. When picking up a laptop for programming, check the RAM size. Make sure to pick up a laptop with sufficient RAM to handle programming tasks smoothly.
If you need to program on a laptop, make sure that it has at least 8 GB RAM. Obviously, more RAM is better. Consider expanding RAM even more if you are a game developer. You may want to opt for a laptop with the capacity to expand the RAM.
Further, it is already time-consuming to program, so no one wants to spend their precious time recharging their laptops. It can be frustrating to use a laptop whose battery lasts only for a few hours. Therefore, go for a laptop that has long battery life.
6 Reasons Why MacBook Air Is Good for Programming
If you want to know the specifications that make MacBook Air the top choice of coders? If so, keep reading.
1. High-Performing Processor
With the new MacBook Air, Apple has added the M1 chip. As a result, programming has become much easier with the MacBook Air. You may want to consider the MacBook Pro if you use a laptop quite frequently and need more power.
Intel Core i3 or i5 processors power MacBooks from the older generations. Compared to the Apple M1 chip, they weren’t bad but were less robust.
Universities recommend using i5 processors for students taking courses in minimal programming. It implies that the i3 processor on the MacBook Air is not ideal for programming or not a great choice in the experts’ opinions.
In contrast, the 13-inch MacBook Pro has a faster processor than the MacBook Air, which runs at 2.0 GHz. Compared to the 1.1 GHz dual-core i5 processor used in the MacBook Air, the older MacBook Pro has a quad-core i5.
Apple keeps evolving its MacBooks, and this time around, the company has come up with an M1 processor that proves very fast. Essentially, it means that the processor can run more cores at higher clock speeds, increasing processing power.
2. Supported Apps
It is possible to run iOS and iPadOS apps smoothly on the MacBook Air. Would you like to know how it is possible? ARM’s M1 chip, which is highly advanced, makes this possible. It is also true of A-series chips used in iPads and iPhones.
It indicates that developers can run any iPhone or iPad application on MacBook Air. The story does not end here, however. Because Apple switched from using an older Intel processor in its MacBooks to an M1 chip, it can still run high-end applications.
The M1 chip MacBook also runs laptop apps faster and smoother. Using the M1 chip, Apple updates all its apps to ensure maximum performance on the MacBooks. Developers can work more efficiently with the M1.
3. Elegant Design
MacBook Air M1 features not only external changes but internal changes as well. As with the previous MacBook versions, the new MacBook comes with the same old elegant design.
Their bodies are made of pure 100% recycled aluminum and are available in various colors. They are also lighter than most laptops because they use 100% recycled aluminum. Programmers can take advantage of the lightweight feature and easily transport them.
4. Exceptional Display
It is a great choice for programmers who do not mind programming on a small display like the 13-inch MacBook Air. The MacBook Air display is impressive with a 2560 x 1600 resolution, LED backlighting, and IPS technology.
There is, therefore, plenty of room to increase the screen resolution and make better use of the space. Moreover, programming takes a lot of time, and some programmers believe that a 13-inch screen will not suffice.
However, if you consider all other factors, you would be wise to pick the MacBook Air. Due to their lightweight nature, these MacBooks are easy to transport from one location to another.
Furthermore, the screen’s small size makes it convenient to toss it into a backpack and go. It is quite likely that you would get used to the 13-inch laptop after using it.
The difficulty arises when you move from 13-inch to 15-inch and try to make the switchback. Since you have no other options, we suggest you continue to use this screen size.
5. Better Memory & Storage
A programmer must store a large number of files during their work. In some cases, programmers purchase external storage devices to store files since their laptops only have limited space.
However, if you plan on keeping large files on your laptop, it will eventually reduce its performance. For this reason, you may want to consider purchasing external storage devices.
A MacBook Air can have a memory space of up to 256GB, making it ideal for storing a lot of codes. It is possible to add even more memory space. If you want to add more memory, you can do so up to 512 GB, 1 TB, and even 2 TB.
So far, that should be sufficient to store many files. Therefore, do not buy an external device if you already own a MacBook Air. Instead, increase the memory on your laptop.
6. Incredible Battery Life
The battery life of a MacBook Air is quite impressive. The battery can easily last 11 hours and even 18 hours with suitable usage. Always keep in mind that power-consuming apps drain the battery more quickly.
So, it would be best to close any unnecessary background apps running in the background since these can quickly drain the battery. Given MacBook Air’s fantastic battery life, you might think its price is heavier too, but that is not true.
Conclusion
When coding, you cannot use any laptop other than the one with a high-grade, innovative, and reliable set of features. According to experts, the MacBook Air is excellent for coding for various reasons, including its immersive display, intuitive keyboard, powerful processor, and many other things.
Overall, a MacBook Air is a good option if you are looking for a laptop you can use for coding. You will surely like the features that MacBook Air has to follow.
