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The Best Mac for Programming (Top XNUMX Choices in XNUMX)

المؤلف Farhaan al-Aman ، آخر تحديث: 07.02.2022

Developers flock to macOS—and MacBook Pros in particular. That’s because MacBook Pro is a great choice for them: Apple hardware has excellent build quality and battery life, and Apple’s operating system provides an ideal environment for programmers.

best mac for programming

More reasons programmers like Macs:

  • You can run all major operating systems on the same hardware: macOS, Windows, and Linux.
  • You can access essential command-line tools from its Unix environment.
  • They’re suitable for coding for a broad range of applications including the web, Mac, Windows, iOS, and Android.

But which Mac should you buy? While you can program on any Mac, some models offer significant advantages for coders.

Many developers value being able to work from anywhere, which means a MacBook Pro. The 16-inch MacBook Pro has a lot of advantages over its smaller sibling: more screen real estate, a more powerful processor, and a discrete graphics card that’s useful for game development.

إذا كنت على الميزانية, though, the ماك ميني provides fantastic value for your money and is the cheapest Mac model available. The downside: it doesn’t include a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. However, that gives you more control to select components that best suit you.

إذا كنت a game developer, you’ll need a Mac with a powerful GPU. Here, the iMac مقاس 27 بوصة gives the best bang for your buck. The smaller iMac can’t be configured as powerfully or upgraded as easily, and the iMac Pro is a lot more computer than most developers need.

In this article, we’ll cover every Mac model that’s currently available, comparing them and exploring their strengths and weaknesses. Read on to learn which Mac is best for you.

Why Trust Me for This Mac Guide

I’ve advised people about the best computer for their needs since the XNUMXs, and I’ve used Macs personally for over a decade. In my career, I’ve set up computer training rooms, managed the IT needs of organizations, and provided tech support to individuals and businesses. I recently upgraded my own Mac. My choice? A XNUMX-inch iMac.

But I’ve never worked full-time as a developer. I have a degree in Pure Mathematics and completed several programming courses as part of my study. I’ve tinkered with many scripting languages and text editors when editing content for the web. I’ve worked with developers and taken genuine pleasure in checking out their computers and setups. Of course, all of that only gives me a small taste of what you need.

So I worked harder. I got opinions from real coders–including those of my son, who recently started working as a web developer and is purchasing lots of new gear. I’ve also paid close attention to gear recommendations from developers on the web and referenced them where relevant throughout this review.

Best Mac for Programming: Our Top Picks

Best MacBook for Programming: MacBook Pro XNUMX-inch

يوفر ماك بوك برو 16 بوصة is the perfect Mac for developers. It’s portable and has the largest display available on an Apple laptop. (In fact, it has XNUMX% more pixels than the previous XNUMX model.) It provides plenty of RAM, tons of storage, and enough CPU and GPU power for game developers. Its battery life is lengthy, but don’t expect to enjoy the full XNUMX hours Apple claims.

تحقق من السعر الحالي

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: XNUMX-inch Retina display, XNUMX x XNUMX
  • الذاكرة: 16 جيجا بايت (64 جيجا بايت كحد أقصى)
  • التخزين: 512 جيجا بايت SSD (قابل للتكوين إلى 8 تيرابايت SSD)
  • Processor: Apple MXNUMX Pro or MXNUMX Max chip (up to XNUMX-core)
  • Graphics Card: MXNUMX Pro (up to XNUMX-core GPU)
  • Headphone jack: XNUMX mm
  • Ports: Three Thunderbolt XNUMX ports, HDMI port, SDXC card slot, MagSafe XNUMX port
  • البطارية: ساعات شنومكس

This MacBook Pro is ideal for programmers, and the only Apple laptop suitable for serious game development. The default configuration comes with a XNUMX GB SSD, but you should seriously consider upgrading to at least XNUMX TB. The biggest SSD you can get is XNUMX TB.

RAM can be configured up to XNUMX GB. Get the RAM you want upfront: upgrading after you purchase it can be difficult, but not impossible. Like the XNUMX-inch iMac, it’s not soldered in place, but you’ll need the help of a professional.

Storage is also not user-accessible, so it’s best to choose the desired amount when you first purchase the machine. If you find you need to upgrade your storage after purchase, take a look at our recommended external SSDs.

It also includes the best keyboard of any current MacBook. It has more travel than other models, and even a physical Escape key, which will keep Vim users, among others, very happy.

While a XNUMX-inch display is the best available when you’re on the go, you may want something larger when you’re at your desk. Fortunately, you can attach multiple large external monitors. According to دعم أبل, the MacBook Pro XNUMX-inch can handle three external displays up to XNUMXK.

Speaking of ports, this MacBook Pro incorporates four USB-C ports, which many users will find sufficient. To connect your USB-A peripherals, you’ll need to purchase a dongle or different cable.

While I believe this Mac is the best solution for those who want something portable, there are other options:

  • The MacBook Air is a more affordable alternative, though with a smaller screen, a less powerful processor, and no discrete GPU.
  • The MacBook Pro XNUMX-inch is a more portable option, but with fewer limitations than the Air. The smaller screen may feel cramped, and the lack of a discrete GPU makes it less suitable for game development.
  • Some may find the iPad Pro an attractive portable alternative, though you’ll have to adjust your expectations.

Budget Mac for Programming: Mac mini

يوفر ماك ميني seems to be becoming increasingly popular among developers. After its significant spec bump, it’s now powerful enough to do some serious work. It’s small, flexible, and deceptively powerful. If you’re after a Mac with a small footprint, it’s a great option.

تحقق من السعر الحالي

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: display not included, up to three are supported
  • الذاكرة: 8 جيجا بايت (16 جيجا بايت كحد أقصى)
  • التخزين: 256 جيجا بايت SSD (قابل للتكوين إلى 2 تيرابايت SSD)
  • Processor: Apple MXNUMX chip
  • بطاقة الرسومات: Intel UHD Graphics 630 (مع دعم eGPUs)
  • Headphone jack: XNUMX mm
  • Ports: Four Thunderbolt XNUMX (USB-C) ports, two USB XNUMX ports, HDMI XNUMX port, Gigabit Ethernet

The Mac mini is the cheapest Mac available—partly because it doesn’t come with a monitor, keyboard or mouse—so it’s an excellent choice for those on a tight budget.

Most of its specs compare favorably with the XNUMX-inch iMac. It can be configured with up to XNUMX GB of RAM and a XNUMX TB hard drive and is powered by a fast MXNUMX processor. That’s more than enough to program on. While it doesn’t come with a monitor, it supports the same XNUMXK resolution as the larger iMac, and you’re able to attach two displays (one XNUMXK and the other XNUMXK), or three XNUMXK monitors in total.

For game development, you’ll need more RAM and storage. It’s better to get the configuration you want the first time—expecting to upgrade later is not a good plan.

There is no door to replace the RAM, so, while you can upgrade it, you may need professional help. And the SSD is soldered to the logic board, so it’s not replaceable. It also lacks a discrete GPU, but you can remedy this by attaching an external GPU. You’ll find more details in the “Other Gear” section at the end of this review.

Of course, you’ll also have to purchase a monitor or two, a keyboard, and a mouse or trackpad. You may have your favorites, but we’ll recommend some models in “Other Gear” below.

Best Desktop Mac for Development: iMac XNUMX-inch

If you do most of your coding at your desk, the iMac مقاس 27 بوصة is an excellent choice. It includes a large display, a small footprint, and more than enough specs to run any development app.

تحقق من السعر الحالي

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: XNUMX-inch Retina XNUMXK display, XNUMX x XNUMX
  • الذاكرة: 8 جيجا بايت (64 جيجا بايت كحد أقصى)
  • Storage: XNUMX SSD (configurable to XNUMX SSD)
  • Processor: XNUMXGHz XNUMX-core XNUMXth-generation Intel Core iXNUMX
  • Graphics Card: Radeon Pro XNUMX with XNUMXGB of GDDRXNUMX memory or Radeon Pro XNUMX XT with XNUMXGB of GDDRXNUMX memory
  • Headphone jack: XNUMX mm
  • Ports: Four USB XNUMX ports, two Thunderbolt XNUMX (USB-C) ports, Gigabit Ethernet

If you don’t need portability, the iMac XNUMX-inch seems to be the perfect choice for coders. It has all the specs you need, even for game development, though for that we recommend you upgrade the RAM to XNUMX GB and the hard drive to a large SSD. You can max out the iMac’s power by choosing a XNUMX GHz XNUMX-core iXNUMX processor, though that configuration is not available on Amazon.

This iMac has a large XNUMXK screen—the largest on any Mac—that will display lots of code and multiple windows, keeping you productive. For even more screen real estate, you can add another XNUMXK display or two XNUMXK displays.

Unlike a lot of modern Macs, it’s relatively easy to upgrade the XNUMX-inch iMac after purchase. RAM is upgradable (all the way to XNUMX GB) by placing new SDRAM sticks in the slots near the bottom of the monitor. You’ll find the specifications you need on هذه الصفحة from Apple Support. It’s also possible to add an SSD later, but that’s a job better left to a professional.

There are plenty of ports for your peripherals: four USB XNUMX ports and two Thunderbolt XNUMX (USB-C) ports that support DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, USB XNUMX, and Thunderbolt XNUMX (which with adapters allows you to plug in HDMI, DVI, and VGA devices).

The ports are on the back, and a little challenging to get to. The solution: add an aluminum Satechi hub that mounts to the bottom of your iMac’s screen or a ماكالي hub that conveniently sits on your desk.

Other Good Mac Machines for Programming

1. ماك بوك اير

يوفر ماك بوك اير is Apple’s most portable computer and its most affordable laptop. The Air’s specs are quite limited, and it’s impossible to upgrade its components after you buy one. Is it up to the job? If you do most of your coding in a text editor rather than IDE, then yes.

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: XNUMX inch Retina display, XNUMX x XNUMX
  • الذاكرة: 8 جيجا بايت (16 جيجا بايت كحد أقصى)
  • التخزين: 256 جيجا بايت SSD (قابل للتكوين إلى 1 تيرابايت SSD)
  • Processor: Apple MXNUMX chip
  • Graphics Card: Up to Apple XNUMX-core GPU
  • Headphone jack: XNUMX mm
  • المنافذ: منفذا Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C)
  • البطارية: ساعات شنومكس

If you write your code in a text editor, this little machine may meet your needs. You’ll run into bottlenecks, though, when using it with an IDE. Its lack of discrete GPU makes it unsuitable for game development. Even though you could add an external GPU, other specs hold it back.

Its small Retina display now offers as many pixels as the XNUMX-inch MacBook Pro. One external XNUMXK or two XNUMXKs can be attached.

2. MacBook Pro مقاس 13 بوصة

يوفر 13-inch MacBook Pro isn’t much larger than a MacBook Air, but it’s far more powerful. It’s a good alternative to the XNUMX-inch Pro if you need something more portable, but it’s not as powerful or upgradable.

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: XNUMX-inch Retina display, XNUMX x XNUMX
  • الذاكرة: 8 جيجا بايت (16 جيجا بايت كحد أقصى)
  • التخزين: 512 جيجا بايت SSD (قابل للتكوين إلى 2 تيرابايت SSD)
  • Processor: XNUMX GHz XNUMXth-Generation quad-core Intel Core iXNUMX
  • Graphics Card: Intel Iris Plus Graphics XNUMX
  • Headphone jack: XNUMX mm
  • الموانئ: أربعة منافذ Thunderbolt 3
  • البطارية: ساعات شنومكس

Like the XNUMX-inch model, the MacBook Pro XNUMX-inch has all the specs needed for development, but unlike its big brother, it falls short for game developers. That’s because it lacks a discrete GPU. To some extent, that can be remedied by adding an external GPU. We list some options for that under “Other Gear.”

But the XNUMX-inch model can’t be specced as highly as the top-of-the-range MacBook Pro, and you can’t upgrade its components after purchase. If you want more screen real estate when you’re at your desk, you can attach one XNUMXK or two XNUMXK external monitors.

3. iMac مقاس 21.5 بوصة

If you want to save some money and desk space, the iMac مقاس 21.5 بوصة is a reasonable alternative to the XNUMX-inch iMac, but be aware it’s an alternative with some compromises. Besides the smaller screen, this Mac can’t be specced as highly or upgraded as easily as the larger machine.

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: XNUMX-inch Retina XNUMXK display, XNUMX x XNUMX
  • الذاكرة: 8 جيجا بايت (32 جيجا بايت كحد أقصى)
  • Storage: XNUMX TB Fusion Drive (configurable to XNUMX TB SSD)
  • المعالج: 3.0 جيجاهرتز ثماني النواة من الجيل التاسع Intel Core i6
  • Graphics Card: AMD Radeon Pro XNUMXX with XNUMX GB of GDDRXNUMX
  • Headphone jack: XNUMX mm
  • Ports: Four USB XNUMX ports, Two Thunderbolt XNUMX (USB-C) ports, Gigabit Ethernet

The XNUMX-inch iMac is hundreds of dollars cheaper than the XNUMX-inch model and will fit on smaller desks if space is an issue, but it leaves you with fewer options.

It provides more than enough power for most developers, even game developers. But if you need more power, the maximum specifications are lower than the iMac XNUMX-inch: XNUMX GB of RAM instead of XNUMX GB, a XNUMX TB SSD instead of XNUMX TB, a less powerful processor, and XNUMX GB of video RAM instead of XNUMX. And unlike the XNUMX-inch iMac, most components can’t be upgraded after purchase.

The XNUMX-inch XNUMXK monitor has plenty of room to display your code, and you can attach an external XNUMXK display (or two more XNUMXKs) via the Thunderbolt XNUMX port.

There are plenty of USB and USB-C ports, but they’re on the back where they’re difficult to reach. You may like to consider an easier-to-reach hub. We cover a few options when covering the XNUMX-inch iMac above.

4. إيماك برو

TechCrunch calls the إيماك برو a “love letter to developers,” and owning one may make your fantasies come true. But unless you’re pushing the limits—with, say, heavy game or VR development—this is more computer than you need. Most developers would find the iMac XNUMX-inch a better fit.

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: XNUMX-inch Retina XNUMXK display, XNUMX x XNUMX
  • الذاكرة: 32 جيجا بايت (256 جيجا بايت كحد أقصى)
  • التخزين: 1 تيرابايت SSD (قابل للتهيئة إلى 4 تيرابايت SSD)
  • Processor: XNUMX GHz XNUMX-core Intel Xeon W
  • Graphics Card: AMD Radeon Pro Vega XNUMX graphics with XNUMX GB of HBMXNUMX (configurable to XNUMX GB)
  • Headphone jack: XNUMX mm
  • Ports: Four USB ports, four Thunderbolt XNUMX (USB‑C) ports, XNUMXGb Ethernet

The iMac Pro takes over where the iMac leaves off. It can be configured way beyond what most game developers will ever need: XNUMX GB of RAM, a XNUMX TB SSD, a Xeon W processor, and XNUMX GB of video RAM. That’s more than enough room to grow! Even its space gray finish has a premium look.

Who is it for? Both TechCrunch and The Verge thought first of VR developers. “The iMac Pro Is a Beast, but It’s not for Everybody” is the title of وشك’s review.

They go on to say, “If you’re going to buy this machine, my opinion is that you should know precisely what you plan on using it for.” They suggest those working with VR, XNUMXK video, scientific modeling, and machine learning are ideal.

5. iPad Pro مقاس 12.9 بوصة

Finally, I leave you with a suggestion from left field that’s not even a Mac: the أي باد برو. This option isn’t so much a recommendation as it is an interesting option. An increasing number of coders use the iPad Pro for development.

في لمحة:

  • Screen size: XNUMX-inch Retina display
  • الذاكرة: GB 4
  • التخزين: 128 GB
  • Processor: AXNUMXX Bionic chip with Neural Engine
  • Headphone jack: none
  • المنافذ: USB-C

Programming on an iPad is not the same experience as programming on a Mac. If you do most of your work at your desk, you might think about an iPad Pro instead of a MacBook Pro as a portable tool for when you’re out of your office.

The number of iOS tools for developers is growing, including text editors and iOS keyboards designed for coders:

There are even a growing number of IDEs you can use on your iPad (some are browser-based and others are iOS apps):

Other Mac Gear for Programmers

Devs have strong opinions about the gear they use and the way they set up their systems. Here’s a breakdown of some popular options.

شاشات

While many developers prefer a laptop over a desktop, they also love large monitors—and lots of them. They’re not wrong. An old article from Coding Horror quotes a University of Utah study’s results: more screen real estate means more productivity.

Read our roundup of the أفضل شاشات البرمجة for some large monitors you can add to your current setup.

لوحة مفاتيح أفضل

While many developers like Apple’s MacBook and Magic keyboards, quite a few opt for an upgrade. We cover the advantages of upgrading your keyboard in our review: أفضل لوحة مفاتيح لاسلكية لنظام التشغيل Mac.

Ergonomic keyboards are often faster to type on, and reduce the risk of injury. Mechanical keyboards are a popular (and fashionable) alternative. They’re fast, tactile and durable, and that makes them popular with gamers and devs alike.

اقرأ المزيد: Best Keyboard for Programming

فأر أفضل

Similarly, a premium mouse, trackball, or trackpad can help you work more productively while protecting your wrist from strain and pain. We cover their benefits in this review: أفضل ماوس لنظام التشغيل Mac.

كرسي مريح

Where do you work? In a chair. For eight hours or more every day. You’d better make it a comfortable one, and Coding Horror lists several reasons every programmer should take the purchase seriously, including increased productivity.

اقرأ best chair for programmers roundup for a few highly-rated ergonomic office chairs.

سماعات إلغاء الضوضاء

Many developers wear noise-canceling headphones to block out the world and give a clear message: “Leave me alone. I’m working.” We cover their benefits in our review, أفضل سماعات عازلة للضوضاء.

القرص الصلب الخارجي أو SSD

You’ll need somewhere to archive and backup your projects, so grab some external hard drives or SSDs for archiving and backup. See our top recommendations in these reviews:

وحدة معالجة الرسومات الخارجية (eGPU)

Finally, if you’ve been using a Mac without a discrete GPU and suddenly get into game development, you may run up against some performance-related bottlenecks. Adding a Thunderbolt-enabled external graphics processor (eGPU) will make a world of difference.

For more information, refer to this article from Apple Support: استخدم معالج رسومات خارجي مع جهاز Mac الخاص بك.

What Are the Computing Needs of a Programmer?

Programming is a broad niche including front and back-end web development as well as developing apps for desktop and mobile. It involves many tasks including writing and testing code, debugging and compiling, and even branching in code from other developers.

Hardware needs can vary significantly among programmers. Many devs don’t need a particularly powerful computer. But while writing code uses few resources, some of the apps you write in do. Compiling code is a CPU-intensive task, and game developers need a Mac with a powerful graphics card.

برمجة البرمجيات

Developers have strong opinions about software, and there are a lot of options out there. Many write code in their favorite نص محرر and use other tools (including command-line tools) to get the rest of the job done.

But instead of using a collection of independent tools, many choose a single app that includes all the features they need: an IDE, or Integrated Development Environment. IDEs give developers everything they need from start to finish: a text editor, compiler, debugger, and build or make integration.

Because these apps do more than simple text editors, they have higher system requirements. Three of the most popular IDEs include:

Beyond those three, there are a wide range of IDEs available—many specializing in one or more programming languages)—including كسوف, كومودو IDE, نتبيانس, PyCharm, IntelliJ IDEAو RubyMine.

A wide range of options mean a wide range of system requirements, some of them very intense. So what does it take to run these apps on a Mac?

A Mac Capable of Running That Software

Each IDE has minimum system requirements. Because they’re minimum requirements and not recommendations, it’s better to purchase a computer more powerful than those requirements—especially as you’re likely to run more than one app at a time.

يوفر متطلبات النظام لـ Xcode 11 are simple:

  • نظام التشغيل: macOS Mojave 10.14.4 أو أحدث.

Microsoft includes a few more details in their Visual Studio Code XNUMX’s system requirements:

  • نظام التشغيل: macOS High Sierra 10.13 أو أحدث ،
  • المعالج: 1.8 جيجاهرتز أو أسرع ، ثنائي النواة أو موصى به بشكل أفضل ،
  • ذاكرة الوصول العشوائي: 4 غيغابايت ، 8 غيغابايت مستحسن ،
  • التخزين: 5.6 جيجا بايت من مساحة القرص الحرة.

Just about every model of Mac is capable of running these programs (well, the MacBook Air has a XNUMX GHz dual-core iXNUMX processor that’s just barely below Visual Studio’s requirements). But is that a realistic expectation? In the real world, does any Mac offer what a non-game developer needs?

No. Some Macs are underpowered and will struggle when pushed hard, especially when compiling. Other Macs are overpowered and don’t provide developers decent value for their money. Let’s look at some more realistic recommendations for coding:

  • Unless you’re doing game development (we’ll look at that in the next section), the graphics card won’t make much difference.
  • A super-fast CPU also isn’t crucial. Your code will compile faster with a better CPU, so get the best one you can afford, but don’t worry about getting a hot rod. MacWorld observes: “You probably will be just fine with a dual-core iXNUMX processor for coding, or even the iXNUMX in the entry-level MacBook Air, but if you have money to spare, then it won’t hurt to get a more powerful Mac.”
  • Make sure you have enough RAM. That will make the most difference to the way your IDE runs. Take Microsoft’s XNUMX GB recommendation of XNUMX GB. Xcode also uses a lot of RAM, and you may be running other apps (say, Photoshop) at the same time. MacWorld recommends you get XNUMX GB if you want to future-proof a new Mac.
  • Finally, you’ll use relatively little storage space—a minimum of XNUMX GB is often realistic. But keep in mind that IDEs run much better on an SSD hard disk.

Game Developers Need a Mac with a Powerful Graphics Card

You need a better Mac if you’re doing graphics, game development, or VR development. That means more RAM, a better CPU, and crucially, a discrete GPU.

A lot of game developers use Unity Core, for example. Its متطلبات النظام:

  • Operating system: macOS Sierra XNUMX or later
  • Processor: XXNUMX architecture with SSEXNUMX instruction set support
  • Metal-capable Intel and AMD GPUs.

Again, those are just الحد الأدنى requirements, and they come with a disclaimer: “Actual performance and rendering quality may vary depending on the complexity of your project.”

A discrete GPU is essential. XNUMX-XNUMX GB of RAM is still realistic, but XNUMX GB is preferred. Here is Laptop Under Budget’s recommendation for the CPU: “If you are into something intensive like game developing or programming in graphics, then we recommend laptops powered by Intel iXNUMX processor to you (hexa-core if you can afford it).”

Finally, game developers need significantly more space to store their projects. An SSD with XNUMX-XNUMX TB of space is recommended.

قابلية

Programmers often work alone and can work anywhere. They might work from home, or at a local coffee shop, or while traveling.

That makes portable computers especially tempting. While it’s not a requirement to purchase a MacBook, many developers do.

As you look over MacBook specs, pay attention to the advertised battery life—but don’t expect to get the amount claimed in the specifications. Development software can be highly processor-intensive, which can cut battery life to just a few hours. For instance, “Programmers complain that Xcode eats a lot of battery,” warns MacWorld.

Loads of Screen Space

You don’t want to feel cramped when coding, so many developers prefer a large monitor. A XNUMX-inch screen is nice, but obviously not a requirement. Some developers even prefer a multiple-monitor setup. MacBooks come with smaller monitors but support multiple large external ones, which is super useful when working at your desk. When on the move, a XNUMX-inch MacBook Pro has a clear advantage over a XNUMX-inch model—unless maximum portability is your absolute priority.

What does all that mean? It means you should include the cost of an extra monitor or two in your budget. Extra screen space can have a positive impact on your productivity. Fortunately, all Macs now feature a Retina display, allowing you to fit more code on the screen.

A Quality Keyboard, Mouse, and Other Gadgets

Developers are particular about workspaces. They love setting them up so that they’re happy and productive when working. A lot of that attention goes to the peripherals they use.

The one they spend the most time using is their keyboard. While many are happy enough with the Magic Keyboard that came with their iMac, or the butterfly keyboards that came with their MacBooks, many developers upgrade to a premium alternative.

Why? Apple’s keyboards have several disadvantages to developers:

  • They have little travel. With a lot of use, that can cause strain to the wrist and hand.
  • The arrangement of the cursor keys isn’t ideal. On recent Mac keyboards, the Up and Down keys only get half a key each.
  • MacBook Pros with a Touch Bar don’t have a physical Escape key. That’s particularly frustrating for Vim users, who access that key frequently. Fortunately, the XNUMX XNUMX-inch MacBook Pro has both a Touch Bar and physical Escape key (and a little more travel as well).
  • Users need to hold down the Fn key to access certain functions. Developers can do without having to press additional keys unnecessarily.

Developers don’t want to compromise on their keyboard, and that includes the keyboard’s layout. While more compact keyboards are getting popular, they’re not always the best tool for programmers. Most prefer a keyboard with more keys over one that requires holding down multiple key combinations at once to accomplish a task.

Quality ergonomic and mechanical keyboards are terrific options for coders. We’ll recommend some options for both in the “Other Gear” section at the end of this article. Premium mice are another popular upgrade. We’ll include a list of those at the end as well.

Fortunately, all Macs include fast Thunderbolt ports that support USB-C devices. Desktop Macs also have plenty of traditional USB ports, and you can purchase external USB hubs if you need them for your MacBook.

How We Choose The Best Mac for Programmers

Now that we’ve explored what a programmer needs from a computer, we compiled two lists of recommended specifications and compared each Mac model against them. Fortunately, there are more models suitable for coding than, say, video editing.

We picked winners that are sure to give a frustration-free experience, but there’s plenty of room for your preferences. For instance:

  • Do you prefer working on a large screen?
  • Do you prefer working with multiple monitors?
  • Do you do most of your work at your desk?
  • Do you value the portability of a laptop?
  • How much battery life do you require?

Additionally, you need to determine whether you’ll be doing any game (or other graphic-intensive) development.

فيما يلي توصياتنا:

المواصفات الموصى بها لمعظم المطورين:

  • وحدة المعالجة المركزية: 1.8 جيجاهرتز ثنائي النواة i5 أو أفضل
  • ذاكرة الوصول العشوائي: 8 GB
  • التخزين: 256 GB SSD

المواصفات الموصى بها لمطوري الألعاب:

  • وحدة المعالجة المركزية: معالج Intel i7 (يفضل ثمانية نواة)
  • ذاكرة الوصول العشوائي: 8 جيجا بايت (يفضل 16 جيجا بايت)
  • التخزين: 2-4 تيرابايت SSD
  • Graphics card: a discrete GPU.

We chose winners that comfortably meet those specifications without offering costly extras. We also asked the following questions:

  • Who can afford to save money by purchasing a less powerful Mac than our winners?
  • Who would find genuine value in purchasing a more powerful Mac than our winners?
  • How high can each Mac model be configured, and how can you upgrade it after purchase?
  • What is the size and resolution of its monitor, and any external monitors that are supported?
  • For developers who value portability, how suitable is each MacBook model for coding? What is its battery life, and how many ports does it have for accessories?

Hopefully we’ve covered everything you want to know about the best Mac for programming. Any other questions or thoughts about this topic, leave a comment below.

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