Hello, gurus! I'm totally new to programming and I'm looking for advice on how to start. I heard someone say that not all laptops are good for programming. If that's true, which brand can you guys recommend I purchase?

Secondly, I want to learn how to build apps. I'm ready to put in the work. What language should I learn and where can I find resources?

Thanks for your help.

The best you can get with the budget you have.
Consider ram, the bigger the better
Processor
Dedicated video ram

Excallibur:
The best you can get with the budget you have.
Consider ram, the bigger the better
Processor
Dedicated video ram

Thank you, sir. But can you tell me how much to budget for a standard laptop?

Days are gone when you need expensive laptops or desktop PC's to learn programming or even develop a solution.

You can now write and run your codes on a cloud browser.

Also the type of Laptops you would need depend on the kind of programs you are developing. A graphic intensive app like games , etc or multimedia app requires much computing power than text based calculators....

All in all, the RAM and Processor is the most important in this case. All other tools you need are hosted on the Server.

digitite:
Days are gone when you need expensive laptops or desktop PC's to learn programming or even develop a solution.

You can now write and run your codes on a cloud browser.

Also the type of Laptops you would need depend on the kind of programs you are developing. A graphic intensive app like games , etc or multimedia app requires much computing power than text based calculators....

All in all, the RAM and Processor is the most important in this case. All other tools you need are hosted on the Server.

Thanks boss! Which language will you advice I learn for app design?

eldav:


Thanks boss! Which language will you advice I learn for app design?

Based on my research. Start with python ( Good in calculations ), PHP ( Web Applications ). Javascript ( Interactivity ; also good for API integrations ). HTML and CSS ( Building blocks of front end ) are very easy. While SQL is for Database.

Since the Cloud Infrastructure is dominating. Always work with Libraries and frameworks compatible with modern systems and works with traditional systems as well. Make it Hybrid. For example, make your programs be accessible to all versions of the Operating System.

All in all, choose a sector and specialise in, e.g Health, Education, etc. It will make you a professional sooner than later. While experience makes you an expert.

digitite:


Based on my research. Start with python ( Good in calculations ), PHP ( Web Applications ). Javascript ( Interactivity ; also good for API integrations ). HTML and CSS ( Building blocks of front end ) are very easy. While SQL is for Database.

Since the Cloud Infrastructure is dominating. Always work with Libraries and frameworks compatible with modern systems and works with traditional systems as well. Make it Hybrid. For example, make your programs be accessible to all versions of the Operating System.

All in all, choose a sector and specialise in, e.g Health, Education, etc. It will make you a professional sooner than later. While experience makes you an expert.

I appreciate you for taking out time to educate me. I have all I need to start now. God bless you!

eldav:


I appreciate you for taking out time to educate me. I have all I need to start now. God bless you!

My pleasure.

None

What brand of computer system has 16gig ram plus with 3.0 plus processor and above and how much can I get the fairly used and new one. What are the advantages and down sides of, dual core, celeron and corei7 especially for programming.

ajerimitan:
What brand of computer system has 16gig ram plus with 3.0 plus processor and above and how much can I get the fairly used and new one. What are the advantages and down sides of, dual core, celeron and corei7 especially for programming.

A laptop of 4gb ram, core i5 5th gen ,500gb ROM. Goes for about 120k- 150k nowadays... For a 16gb RAM pc with 3.0ghz processor speed, you'd be needing like 350k+ and that's for a used one. When getting a pc for programming, try getting a core i5 upwards, at least 500gb rom(ssd is preferable tho), 8gb ram upwards, 2.0+ghz processor speed, dedicated Vram, Kb light for night work, at least 4hrs back up. This should be okay for a start

Thank you so much, I appreciate your professional advice and rare expertise. Your explanation is very processional and comprehensive.

CHace:


A laptop of 4gb ram, core i5 5th gen ,500gb ROM. Goes for about 120k- 150k nowadays... For a 16gb RAM pc with 3.0ghz processor speed, you'd be needing like 350k+ and that's for a used one. When getting a pc for programming, try getting a core i5 upwards, at least 500gb rom(ssd is preferable tho), 8gb ram upwards, 2.0+ghz processor speed, dedicated Vram, Kb light for night work, at least 4hrs back up. This should be okay for a start

Just get one with SSD and you’re good to go.

Rgade:
Just get one with SSD and you’re good to go.

I hope you know there's 64GB SSD. And SSDs have a read/write life span. People go rush go market buy 2nd hand "256 GB" SSD wey na like 92 GB remain

airsaylongcome:


I hope you know there's 64GB SSD. And SSDs have a read/write life span. People go rush go market buy 2nd hand "256 GB" SSD wey na like 92 GB remain

92GB remain as how ?
explain

airsaylongcome:


I hope you know there's 64GB SSD. And SSDs have a read/write life span. People go rush go market buy 2nd hand "256 GB" SSD wey na like 92 GB remain

Before you buy second hand laptop na you go first calm down check every part from a-z.

Rgade:


Before you buy second hand laptop na you go first calm down check every part from a-z.

Would be nice if there’s a checklist to run through for this

Kvngfrosh:
92GB remain as how ?
explain

www dot n-able dot com slash blog slash ssd-lifespan

There are many good laptop deals here on Nairaland. Like the ThinkPad T series. A few years old model.

Here are some deals I found here on NL.

Model: Lenovo thinkpad T460

Ram: 8GB DDR4

Storage: 256GB SSD

Processor: intel core i5-6th gen

Display: 14inch FHD Display

Keyboard: Backlight Keyboard

Price: 140,000

You can get something like this one for 120k to 140k.



For anyone looking to start learning programming and web development, I'm currently running a YouTube live series, check it out here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc3Pmiwtv0_hcTYKp_oBAEoMDoKrvbK_B

airsaylongcome:


www dot n-able dot com slash blog slash ssd-lifespan

coincidentally mine just crashed

Kvngfrosh:
coincidentally mine just crashed

mine too. Been using it without battery, the abrupt shutdowns killed it.

directonpc:
There are many good laptop deals here on Nairaland. Like the ThinkPad T series. A few years old model.

Here are some deals I found here on NL.

Model: Lenovo thinkpad T460

Ram: 8GB DDR4

Storage: 256GB SSD

Processor: intel core i5-6th gen

Display: 14inch FHD Display

Keyboard: Backlight Keyboard

Price: 140,000

You can get something like this one for 120k to 140k.



For anyone looking to start learning programming and web development, I'm currently running a YouTube live series, check it out here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLc3Pmiwtv0_hcTYKp_oBAEoMDoKrvbK_B

The Thinkpad are the best laptops in my opinion, I have 2 thinkpads this T460,T560 and the battery life is just superb both are 16gb, but the SSD is way bloody faster than the non-SSD and is an i5 outperforming i7

Kvngfrosh:
coincidentally mine just crashed

Possibly a ‘new’ ssd

Get a MacBook Pro between 2012 and 2015

Do not get 2011 below or 2016 above except you can afford the M1 series.

For SSD, there are plenty fakes out there.

It is better to buy a laptop with HDD and upgrade the SSD your self.

Don’t buy all those new SSDs except you are importing directly or buying from an authorized distributor who is offering a no-questions warranty.

Buy ‘follow-come’ ssds. Those computer village boys open every laptop being imported and remove the original SSDs and swap them with HDD. If they put an ssd inside for you, it is probably one of the fakes.

Any SSD with funny names like Onye-Power will only lead to tears.

Buy laptop, then upgrade ssd without rushing.

Make sure your laptop has upgradeable hdd and ram. Dont buy non-removable except you dont have plans to upgrade.

Why should you buy a MacBook?
XCode.

If you have plans of developing cross platform apps, you must use an XCode compatible laptop. Last I checked, windows is not XCode compatible.

Virus and malware
Anti virus on windows alone zaps battery. You dont need extra processes running on your workstation. Except you go looking for viruses, you cannot get infected on a mac that easily.

Updates
Windows annoying updates are non existent on mac. Even if you set auto updates on with mac, it does it when you are sleeping

Always on
Macbooks dont need to be shut down. This might sound trival until you experience it You open your laptop, enter password and you are on VS code, all within 10 seconds. Exactly where you left.

Resale value.
When you decide to upgrade, you get your money back from sales. You dont beg to sell. There are people willing to buy. MacBooks are like Corolla.

EDIT;
Computer village boys have started selling new SSDs as ‘follow-come’. They buy new, remove from the carton and claim it is follow-come

Kindly verify each SSD via the serial number and the manufacturer’s website whether new or used.

If serial number is not found or no means to confirm exists, please drop it

Excallibur:
The best you can get with the budget you have.
Consider ram, the bigger the better
Processor
Dedicated video ram

Video ram has nothing to do with programming. Except you want to specifically make GPU calculations in your program.

For the op, before you get into programming, you must be proficient with computers enough to know the answer to the question you asked.

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Greisoncarlens:
mine too. Been using it without battery, the abrupt shutdowns killed it.

funny enough, mine started working

Rgade:
Just get one with SSD and you’re good to go.

please check this laptop for me ...is corei3, 6th gen 4gb ram okay for web development ??

digitite:
Days are gone when you need expensive laptops or desktop PC's to learn programming or even develop a solution.

You can now write and run your codes on a cloud browser.

Also the type of Laptops you would need depend on the kind of programs you are developing. A graphic intensive app like games , etc or multimedia app requires much computing power than text based calculators....

All in all, the RAM and Processor is the most important in this case. All other tools you need are hosted on the Server.

please is corei3 , 4gb ram, 500hdd... okay for web development?

truthCoder:
Get a MacBook Pro between 2012 and 2015

Do not get 2011 below or 2016 above except you can afford the M1 series.

For SSD, there are plenty fakes out there.

It is better to buy a laptop with HDD and upgrade the SSD your self.

Don’t buy all those new SSDs except you are importing directly or buying from an authorized distributor who is offering a no-questions warranty.

Buy ‘follow-come’ ssds. Those computer village boys open every laptop being imported and remove the original SSDs and swap them with HDD. If they put an ssd inside for you, it is probably one of the fakes.

Any SSD with funny names like Onye-Power will only lead to tears.

Buy laptop, then upgrade ssd without rushing.

Make sure your laptop has upgradeable hdd and ram. Dont buy non-removable except you dont have plans to upgrade.

Why should you buy a MacBook?
XCode.

If you have plans of developing cross platform apps, you must use an XCode compatible laptop. Last I checked, windows is not XCode compatible.

Virus and malware
Anti virus on windows alone zaps battery. You dont need extra processes running on your workstation. Except you go looking for viruses, you cannot get infected on a mac that easily.

Updates
Windows annoying updates are non existent on mac. Even if you set auto updates on with mac, it does it when you are sleeping

Always on
Macbooks dont need to be shut down. This might sound trival until you experience it You open your laptop, enter password and you are on VS code, all within 10 seconds. Exactly where you left.

Resale value.
When you decide to upgrade, you get your money back from sales. You dont beg to sell. There are people willing to buy. MacBooks are like Corolla.

please is corei3, 4gb , be okay for web development?.. planing to used visual studio code., Please would it accept all the app

LUAN1:
please is corei3, 4gb , be okay for web development?.. planing to used visual studio code., Please would it accept all the app

Many devs starting have used that config.

However, don’t expect blazing speeds and dont plan to add mobile app development in future.

When you advance to full stack, having your database, server, development browser and IDE running might start tasking the old lady.

By the time you get to that level, you should be able to migrate to more advanced systems.

Dont be afraid to start small.

LUAN1:
please check this laptop for me ...is corei3, 6th gen 4gb ram okay for web development ??

Yeah. It should serve just fine.