When it comes to android development, most people tend to look at high-end laptops from the start. While most users do have high-end laptops, even those lack features at times. This is why what you need to look for is the right features, and then the price tag.
This way you get exactly what you pay for, and the job gets done properly. Android development entails working with software like Eclipse, Intelli, Android Studio, and many more, and all of these require a laptop with a good processor, and heavy storage space to be able to handle all the files.
When you are on the market for the best laptops for android development, these factors can impact the work that you do. Our article here covers these key points and completes it with a list of laptops that can be used for android development as well.
Contents
| PRODUCT | PROCESSOR | MEMORY | STORAGE | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| vAcer AspireE 15 | 8th GenerationIntel Core i5-8250U | 8GB | 256GB SSD | |
| HP PavilionGaming | 9th GenerationIntel Core i5-9300H | 8GB | 256 GB SSD | |
| LenovoThinkpad E590 | 8th GenerationIntel Core i5-8265U | 16GB | 512GB SSD | |
| AcerPredatorHelios 300 | 9th GenerationIntel i7-9750H | 16GB | 256GBNVMe SSD | |
| ASUSZenBook 14 | 8th GenerationIntel Core i7-8565U | 16GB | 512GBPCIe SSD | |
| Acer PredatorHelios 300 | 8th GenerationIntel i7-8750H | 16GB | 256GBNVMe SSD | |
| Lenovo LegionY520 | 7th GenerationIntel Core i7-7700HQ | 16GB | 512GB SSDGraphics:NVIDIA | |
| MicrosoftSurface Pro 6 | 8th GenerationIntel Core i7 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | |
| LenovoIdeapad 530S | 8th GenerationIntel Core i7-8550U | 8GB | 256GBPCIe SSD | |
| AppleMacBook Air | 8th GenerationIntel Core i5 | 8GB | 128GB SSD |
If you are a beginner in Android development and do not want to spend a ton on a new laptop, then this affordable model from Acer might be worth checking out. The Acer Aspire E 15 has been the go-to laptop for students and professionals alike when they start out because it provides a good combination of features at a good price.
The Aspire E15 has the Intel Core i5-8250U processor with an impressive clock speed that goes up to 3.4 GHz for great processing speeds. Coming from the 8th generation, it also ensures smooth updates and usage.
Not just that, even though this is an affordable choice, it still packs a discrete Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics unit. This is an entry-level GPU, and will not support high-end gaming. But it will surely be useful for Android development by creating high speeds and a good display.
Battery life is incredible on this at 15 hours. Perfect for students who have to be outdoors for long times, and does not want to carry a charger.
Connectivity options are just as great. You get the latest USB Type-C, LAN, HDMI, and the D-Sub port. So if you want to connect an external display for work, or need external storage, connectivity will not pose a problem.
This HP Pavilion might be a gaming laptop, but it carries all the features you would want in the perfect android developing device.
The processor is one of the key highlights here. An i5 processor from the 9th generation means one of the finest combinations that creates a fast and durable laptopfor the long run. The clock speed is 2.4GHz, but with Intel's turbo boost it can go up to 4.1Ghz when required, which is excellent.
Even though this is a pretty powerful processor, it makes sure to not consume too much energy. This leaves a pretty great battery life at 10 hours from average usage.
Graphics is just as impressive with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 that allows for a realistic display and is VR ready! And with the NVIDIA Pascal architecture, the laptop gets a ton of speed to run without any lags, even when playing the latest games.
You might or might not use this for gaming, but the speed will surely translate onto work as well.
Internally, the memory is 8GB and the storage is 256GB SSD. If you feel like you need more down the line, but this works for now, than this laptop is a good pick since you have the option of upgrading them both.
The Lenovo Thinkpad E590 is a straight cut no-fuss laptop that is well suited to this job. It has all the requirements a laptop should have for this work, and no more.
You get a fantastic 8th generation quad-core i5 processor with a 1.6GHz clock speed which goes all the way up to 3.9Ghz with turbo boost. This ensures that the processing speed is always on top of everything and creating an efficient laptop for all kinds of work.
For the graphics, you get the Intel UHD graphics which is well suited for the job. Since android development specifically does not require a dedicated GPU, you will not be at a loss here. You get to save on the total cost instead.
With the 512GB SSD and the 16GB memory, the laptop can handle all sorts of multitasking, which is a given when you are using app development software.
The keyboard is another point of focus since it has high durability. Programmers need to do some intense typing at times, and this can handle all that you throw at it.
You also get a 180-degree rotational hinge. While this might not look functional, it prevents damage for the times you accidentally open more than you intended to. This has happened a lot, so features like these can be lifesavers, especially for users who are not careful.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a gaming laptop, and one of the finest out there. But thanks to its range of features, it is equally popular amongst professionals too!
It has the i7-9750H 9th generation 6 core processor with a clock speed that goes all the way up to an impressive 4.5 GHz.
Besides having a robust processor like this, it also boasts the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics unit which makes it possible to work on programming effortlessly and play games afterward.
Since this is a gaming device, the display is made for such purposes. Whether you play games or not, you can take advantage of the Full HD IPS display that provides clear and sharp details.
The display also has a 144Hz refresh rate, 72 percentage NTSC color gamut, 3ms Overdrive Response Time, and 300nit brightness. These create a bright, vibrant, and life-like screen enjoyable for all regardless of work.
Any laptop that has such power is bound to heat up, but with the right cooling mechanism, it will not pose a problem. This Predator Helios sports a 4th generation Aeroblade 3D fan. It is very effective in dissipating collected heat, leaving a cool and efficient device for you to work on.
If you are on the lookout for a lightweight and portable laptop which is a good fit for software development, then Asus ZenBook is what you should look to.
It is slim, lightweight, easy to carry, and yet packs a whopping 14 hours of battery life and a ton of impressive specifications. As an android developer, you cannot ask for anything more.
For the processor, you have the 8th generation i7-8565U quad-core processor with a clock speed up to 4.6 GHz. This is suitable for all the heavy android development work and can provide generous processing speed so you never have to pause for things to load.
You get full-sized USB-A, USB Type-C, and HDMI ports making it easy to connect with other devices. As a developer, this is often needed, especially in offices.
16GB RAM is great to have since it lets you run applications in the background while you can focus on other work at hand. The sheer speed received is amazing, and much needed for busybodies.
Plus, the 512GB SSD ensures smooth operation and faster loading times. You can compile files and programs without facing any slowdown whatsoever.
The processor is like the heart of a laptop that keeps it running at its finest. This is why you should go for a good one even if it becomes costly because this is the part of the device you cannot upgrade later on.
A core i5 processor is a bare minimum, with the 7th generation being the last one you should go for. With the 10th generation around, it is better if you can increase it to 8th or 9th which will lats longer without update issues.
For powerful performance, you want to look at the HQ line processors which have 4 cores and provide higher power.
Processing speed is also crucial, where you should aim for a 3GHz clock speed and above for fast response.
The memory decides on how well the laptop can multitask, and this is something you will face a lot when working with android development.
A 4GB memory should be avoided at all costs since it will do no good here. The 8GB is alright, and if you choose this, you should check to see if it can be upgraded.
But the best laptops for android development should have a 16GB RAM since it can ensure flawless speed and multitasking. You can have a lot of applications running simultaneously, and still not face lagging issues and the overall speed of the device will improve drastically with higher memory.
When it comes to deciding on storage, you have two basic choices in front of you - the hard disk drive (HDD) or the solid-state drive (SSD). But with time the HDD is becoming redundant since the SSD provides a lot more power comparatively.
The difference is noticeable since applications load faster, there is practically no lag at all, and everything runs super smooth. And with complex work like android developing, this is something you should prioritize.
Since SSDs are more expensive, you can go with the 256GB SSD as the minimum since any lower would be too less for storage purposes. And if you can, go for the 512GB.
Also, look for laptops where you can upgrade the storage. That way you can upgrade as you go without having to spend too much at once.
For Android development specifically, you do not require a dedicated graphics unit. It is more useful to users who are game developers or enjoy playing games. Nonetheless, it is good to have because it creates a better display and ups the performance of the laptop regardless, which is always welcome.
If you opt for a high-end laptop with a good processor, chances are you will get a dedicated graphics unit either way. And even if you do not, it is not something to worry about because integrated ones today are also pretty good, as long as you do not play high-end games.
Apple MacBook Air (13-Inch, 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) - Silver - Walmart Link
Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop, 15.6" Full HD, 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U, GeForce MX150, 8GB - Walmart Link
Dell Inspiron 13 7000 7370 Laptop - (13.3" Touchscreen IPS FHD (1920x1080), 8th Gen Intel - Walmart Link
Acer Swift 3 SF314-54-56L8, 14" Full HD, 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U, 8GB DDR4, 256GB - Walmart Link
ASUS ZenBook 14 Ultra-Slim Laptop 14" FHD Nano-Edge Bezel, 8th-Gen Intel Core i7-8565U - Walmart Link
Lenovo ThinkPad E570 15.6" Laptop Computer (Intel 7th Gen Core i5-7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4, - Walmart Link
2018 Lenovo Legion Y520 15.6" FHD Gaming Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i7-7700HQ up to - Walmart Link
1.Acer Aspire E 15 - Walmart Link
4.Acer Predator Helios 300 - Walmart Link
6.Acer Predator Helios 300 - Walmart Link
8.Microsoft Surface Pro 6 - Walmart Link
Apple MacBook Air (13-Inch, 1.8GHz Dual-Core Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD) - Silver - eBay Link
Acer Aspire E 15 Laptop, 15.6" Full HD, 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U, GeForce MX150, 8GB - eBay Link
Dell Inspiron 13 7000 7370 Laptop - (13.3" Touchscreen IPS FHD (1920x1080), 8th Gen Intel - eBay Link
Acer Swift 3 SF314-54-56L8, 14" Full HD, 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8250U, 8GB DDR4, 256GB - eBay Link
ASUS ZenBook 14 Ultra-Slim Laptop 14" FHD Nano-Edge Bezel, 8th-Gen Intel Core i7-8565U - eBay Link
Lenovo ThinkPad E570 15.6" Laptop Computer (Intel 7th Gen Core i5-7200U 2.5GHz, 8GB DDR4, - eBay Link
2018 Lenovo Legion Y520 15.6" FHD Gaming Laptop Computer, Intel Quad-Core i7-7700HQ up to - eBay Link
1.Acer Aspire E 15 - eBay Link
4.Acer Predator Helios 300 - eBay Link
6.Acer Predator Helios 300 - eBay Link
8.Microsoft Surface Pro 6 - eBay Link
If you want to design apps and games, you are going to need a pretty good laptop to be able to do so, without hitting a lag. This is why it is imperative to check out the factors that can affect performance, and eventually the results.
The best laptops for android development do not necessarily need to have a set of specific specifications. Everyone has a different requirement and what they want from their laptops.
This is why the ones covered here are from different price ranges, screen sizes, but they all carry the important features which allow for a smooth work experience.
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About Dror Wettenstein
Dror Wettenstein is a software engineer and entrepreneur with more than 15 years of experience in the industry. He is the founder of TechTreeRepeat, a company that enables technical writers to publish their work faster and share it with readers across the globe. Dror has a master’s degree in computer science from San Diego State University and a bachelor’s degree in physics from UC Irvine.
When he’s not working on software projects, Dror enjoys writing articles and essays on various topics. He also likes playing guitar and spending time with his wife and two young children.
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