Good tools are a need for every craftsman. Every blacksmith requires high-quality anvils and hammers, just as every woodworker necessitates a good collection of mallets and saws, and every leather craftsperson needs a set of razor-sharp awls.
There is no difference between web developers and designers. Each web developer and web designer requires their very own high-quality laptop. For the avoidance of doubt, this article uses exactly this meaning of web design.
We should all browse around and make an informed decision when selecting a laptop because everyone has different needs. Selecting the incorrect laptop may impede your website development efforts, even if you choose to make a coding-free website using the best membership website builders. These are considered cost-effective online platforms, with emphasized layouts that can be built with members-only areas that are in a number of cases free or inexpensive. Making the greatest choice you can is hence crucial. For example, if you are a road warrior, you should check out portable computers or ultra-portable laptops that prioritize battery life and weight. However, if you are a power user, you might want to look into desktop alternatives that include powerful components.
You can use the advice in this article to choose the ideal laptop for web development and design. The correct laptop, however, is insufficient. You need the appropriate abilities in website design, UX design, usability, and related sectors if you want to develop a career. By enrolling in one of the numerous online design courses, you can acquire these abilities.
Table of Contents
The Operating System to Use
The first step is to choose the operating system you want to run on your new laptop before even considering any models.
Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, and ChromeOS are the top four operating systems for web design and development. Each of them has its own unique benefits and drawbacks and is found on a variety of portable laptops with various specifications.
Windows
The most widely used operating system around the world is Microsoft Windows. The operating system is currently used by 80-90% of computers globally, according to the latest figures.
Whether Windows 8 (whose updates will no longer be supported as of January 2024) or Windows 10 or 11 is superior to one another is still a hot topic of discussion. In addition, the most current version of Windows has drawn a significant amount of criticism. However, it continues to be a superb operating system characterized by reliability and power. Additionally, Windows 11 aims to solve many of the complaints consumers have had with Windows 10.
The web development and design community for Windows are quite strong, and many apps and tools that are not available for other OSs are available for Windows. The most adaptable of the four main business systems mentioned above, Windows is also accessible on a range of laptops at various price points.
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a robust operating system from Apple. Because OS X is visually appealing, easy to use, and highly powerful, affordable developers and web designers are quickly embracing it as their favored operating system.
OS X is great for web development because of its Unix foundations, and the integrated Terminal provides quick access to resources like git, virtualization software, and more. Unfortunately, Apple products—which are frequently more expensive than those made by other companies—are the only ones that support Mac OS X.
Linux
Without a doubt, Linux is currently the most-harsh working system available. It can be confusing and overwhelming to type many commands directly further into the command prompt. Modifying the operating system and installing apps can be challenging, right? And it truly is.
Linux is likely the most potent and customizable operating system accessible right now, despite having a steep learning curve. You can create the best programming environment for yourself using it because it can be precisely modified to match your own requirements. Ubuntu, a free OS for desktop and mobile, is arguably the most ‘user-friendly’ variation of Linux.
ChromeOS
The simplest and clearest operating system on the market right now is ChromeOS. The Google-made operating system is very comparable to the well-known Chrome web browser, but it has been turned into more of an operating system.
In contrast to the remaining three OSs mentioned above, ChromeOS lacks a file browser and does not support applications running. Web apps that run in browsers must be used for all online work that is related to design and development.
ChromeOS is a good, albeit constrained, option for developers and designers who like to code directly in plain HTML and CSS and dislike using interactive development environments or coding editors.
Creating a Budget
You must first prepare a budget, i.e. price limit, before you start looking for a laptop.
Web developers and designers are incredibly fortunate. Web designers do not put as much strain on computer hardware as computer scientists or graphics programmers do. For the majority of web development tasks, all that is required is a quick CPU and a sufficient amount of RAM. High-performance CPUs and hugely expensive graphics cards are not really necessary.
The majority of types fall into one of four price categories:
- Cost-effective—$150-350
- Mid-Range—$350-700
- High-End—$700-1,000
- Performance-based—$1,000
It can be worthwhile to spend more money on a more costly model if you plan to retain your laptop for something like a number of years. But if you are on a tight budget, do not panic. In each of these pricing ranges, a lot of great products are offered.
Selecting the Right Specs
List the tasks you will be using the laptop for before you start looking for one. You can use this list as a reference when contrasting several models with various specs.
If you want to use GIMP or Adobe Photoshop frequently, it is crucial to pick a laptop with a powerful CPU that can render effects and do calculations swiftly. However, a slower AMD A8/A10 APU or ULT Intel i3/i5 ought to be able to fulfill your demands if you plan to spend most of your time using Firebug, Sublime Text, and other developer tools.
It is crucial to get a laptop with a long battery life if you plan to move about a lot while using it. Regular travelers typically benefit from laptops that use ULT Haswell, which is Intel’s architecture. They have a 10-hour battery life, are lightweight, and can provide power when required thanks to a “turbo boost” mode that can add up to 100% more CPU power on demand.
A desktop substitute laptop can be a better choice if you plan to use your laptop primarily at a desk. These portable computers often have huge 15.4’’ or 17’’ screens and are equipped with strong internal hardware. However, they often have short battery lives and are fairly hefty.
Investing in a laptop with something like a trackpad and a sturdy keyboard is also crucial. When it relates to keyboards and trackpads, Apple now holds the top spot, but rival firms, primarily Samsung, Sony, and Lenovo are swiftly catching up.
Finally, it is critical to get a laptop with excellent support and a strong warranty. If your laptop breaks unexpectedly, nothing is worse than having to go without it for a few days, so be sure to buy a laptop with a dependable repair and replacement program.
Things to Pay Attention When it Comes to the Budget-Related List of Laptops
Cost-Effective
Linux and ChromeOS are the only operating systems for laptops that are inexpensive. The major companies in this industry are HP, Samsung, and Acer, which offer a wide range of laptop models for sale at reasonable costs. The quality of the screen, keyboard, and trackpad can vary greatly, so be careful to test them out before making a purchase.
Mid-Range
Dell, Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Samsung are the primary market leaders in the midrange segment. They provide top-notch products that are ideal for any project involving web design. Additionally, they come in a range of price points.
If you are looking at medium models, make sure to compare prices. If you are willing to hunt for deals, you can find them.
High-End
Apple, Lenovo, Samsung, and Sony dominate the high-end laptop market with a variety of models that each have unique benefits and drawbacks. The last three are perhaps the best of these manufacturers, with Lenovo’s renowned Thinkpad line being especially great value for money.
When compared to other brands, Apple portable laptops typically offer poor value for the money due to their high price. However, there are some deals to be found on Apple’s online shop for refurbished products, with savings of up to 20%.
Performance-Based
Apple, Sony, Alienware, and a few more companies are in the performance category. All of these businesses create amazing computers with best-in-class features and functions, but they are frequently very expensive.
The top products on the market in this price range are made by Apple. For instance, the Macbook Pro with Retina Display is each web developer’s dream computer, including a thin, durable aluminum frame and a high-resolution, flawlessly colored IPS display.
If you favor Windows and Linux over OS X, competing devices like Sony, Alienware, etc. typically fall short in one or two areas compared to the MacBook Pro, although they are still worth taking into account.
To Sum Up
The process of buying a brand-new laptop can be challenging, but it may also be very exciting. Spend some time selecting a laptop computer. Make sure you choose wisely because the correct laptop might be worth more than its value. When you do not find “the one”, shop about, test out a few different models from various manufacturers and keep looking.
And keep in mind that, regardless of price, getting an unsuitable laptop will never be a good deal. Make a deliberate, well-informed choice as opposed to accepting the very first offer that catches your eye.
