Smartphones, a technology that has turned into a societal norm unlike any other I'd say. Besides radios and televisions, I'm sure smartphones ranks up there in being one of the most adopted technologies in the last decade. Think about it, back in the early 2000s not everyone had a cellphone, but by 2008, people were being introduced to the first 'smartphones' with the bulky internet connected cellphones like the old timey Blackberrys, Nokias, etc. But in 2007, we were introduced to a whole new world of possibilities with the First-Gen iPhones, and that changed everything.
One important thing the iPhone did was introduce a whole new category of devices that made it so easy to browse the web, and more importantly, introduced us to the world of 'Apps'. I honestly can't even imagine a world now without apps, which just makes things so much easier to manage on a smartphone. Most institutions, organizations, and businesses have their own apps, a whole world of mobile gaming that's essentially free for the most part, education tools, productivity apps, banking, e-wallets, streaming, you name it, there's an app for it.
Apple and iOS aren't the only ones to advance in the smartphone industry, with Android arguably now in the forefront of innovation and an abundance of devices releasing each year.
For those smartphones, we're going to need even better, faster, and innovate apps on the platform. That being said, we're going to be going through some of the best laptops for Android development to get you well equipped to create your own apps, turning your ideas into reality on the vast, expansive Android ecosystem. But before we get to that, let's take a minute to go through some of the minimum and recommended system requirements for one of the most used tools in Android development: Android Studio.
Minimum System Requirements For Android Studio
Judging off the minimum system requirements stated by Android Studio, the best laptop for Android development won't be too demanding for most systems. However, there is a lot left unsaid which we'll be going through in depth in the recommended system requirements below. For now, let's get a better understanding of the base of what you're going to need for the best laptops for Android development.
Operating System
First off, the operating system Android Studio supports are Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10 as well as support for macOS 10.10 (Yosemite) up to macOS 10.14 (Mojave). That means you're spoiled for choice when finding a laptop for programming, a good thing for the up and coming Android developer looking to leave their mark in the vast world of apps.
I would recommend finding a laptop with Windows 10 if you wanted a Windows operating system as this is the latest and greatest from Microsoft including a streamlined look, latest security updates, and useful features. For those more keen on using Apple's hardware like the Apple MacBook Pro or Apple MacBook Air to run Android Studio, you're going to have to settle of older variants of the laptops. As of now, Android Studio is not officially supported by the latest Apple M1 Chip processors and macOS 11 BigSur. To use it on the very latest MacBook Air, you may need to edit some system preferences. Even then, you may run into issues so if you were dead set on a Apple MacBook Air from the latest lineup. To be safe, we're going to highlight older variants using an Intel Quad-Core processor for better compatibility.
RAM and Storage
The only other specs Android Studio highlights for Android app development will be the RAM, storage, and display resolution. For the RAM and storage, it's pretty straightforward needing a minimum of 4 GB RAM and 2GB of storage for the installation. Of course, a program like this can experience bottlenecks in terms of RAM and storage capacity, so we're going to recommend quite a bit higher than this minimum.
Display
Lastly, for the display the minimum resolution you're going to need is 1280 x 800 which most laptop displays are equipped with, so no issues on hunting the spec down.
That's pretty much all the minimum requirements stated by Android Studio, and while this may be the minimum of what you're going to need for Android app development, you're going to need a powerful laptop for a smooth experience. Let's take a look at the recommended requirements from both Android Studio and our recommendations on the specs to look for in the best laptop for Android development.
Recommended System Requirements for Android Studio
We're taking things a step further in our recommendations and highlighting the important specs you're going to need to look for to ensure consistent performance for Android developers. You can't expect to create, code and design your apps in Android Studio with a clunky, outdated, slow laptop now can you? We're also highlighting specs, while not stated, will be integral to your laptop's performance and how it will run Android Studio. Nothing wrong in covering the bases to get your machine running it's best when you're going to need it most.
Processor
Our first spec we're going to highlight is an integral part of any laptop, and for some reason hasn't been mentioned in Android Studio's requirements is the processor. The processor handles almost everything you do on your laptop, and as such, you should invest in a up-to-date, powerful processor to get your money's worth. We're going to recommend you find a processor from the Intel Core i5 series of processors or better, no older than the 8th Generation.
An 8th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, like the 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor, Intel Core i5-8265U, etc. is going to be the base standard in our search as any less than this, and you may experience slowdowns, crashes, and lag as you're Android programming. Things like debugging, coding video games and developing complicated apps will take up precious resources from your processor. This will make it harder to multitask and stay up to speed, unless you invest in something more powerful.
For the optimal build, it's best finding a recent processor like the 10th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 for the best results. Otherwise, if you were on a budget, Android developers can still use a mid-range to budget range laptops for the bare minimums in Android programming. While slightly outdated, the 8th Generation Intel Core i5-8250U or Intel Core i7-8656U processor are still very capable to today's standards.
RAM/Storage
The processor isn't the only indicator of performance in the best laptops for Android development, with the RAM and storage capabilities being equally important. First off, we're going to talk about the RAM requirements, which we've recommended as an 8 GB RAM capacity. This is because power hungry IDEs used for Android programming uses a lot of RAM. As such, even with the 8 GB RAM recommendation, if you've got the money, it's highly recommended finding higher capacities like 12, or 16GB RAM to ensure consistent performance in the long term.
Android developers will also need quite a bit of storage as well as a speedy load up time as you're developing more and more apps. All this data will eventually take up a lot of space, so we're going to recommend a base storage capacity of 256GB SSD storage. A 256GB SSD is the most affordable in terms of both storage size and price when it comes to SSD storage. The best laptop for Android development will need the SSD as it improves performance greatly when you're loading up files, the start up time and a speedy load time to run Android development programs. It both saves time and hassle for an Android developer, so why not?
Display
Next up, we're going to be talking about the display the best laptops for Android development will have. I usually recommend this with any laptop you buy, but your base resolution really should be a Full HD display with a 1920 x 1080 resolution. It's not entirely integral to Android development, but it does make things much easier on the eyes. A 1920 x 1080 resolution makes everything you see on screen more vibrant, clearer, and crisp compared to older HD resolution displays.
Not to mention most apps, games, and video content online opt for 1920 x 1080 as a base resolution, it'll be helpful when you're off the clock as an Android developer. When you're using a emulator to test out apps, finding bugs and such, it's nice to have a 1920 x 1080 resolution to know how it will run on Android phones with similar resolutions. The screen size is pretty much up to your preferences, ranging from 12-inch to 15.6-inch display screen size, you're spoilt for choice. Finding a laptop with onboard screen tech like anti-glare or high brightness settings is also a great value add for any laptop.
GPU
Lastly, we're going to be talking about the GPU the best laptops for Android development will house. Now this one is entirely dependent on the kind of apps you're going to be developing. A powerful dedicated GPU like the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti will be useful to ensure the emulator on Android Studio runs smoothly. It will also be integral if you plan on creating 3D games, virtual reality, or any other games/graphically intensive app, you're going to need a dedicated GPU. Otherwise, you can manage with any number of integrated GPUs like the Intel HD graphics, Intel UHD Graphics 620, Intel Iris Xe Graphics, etc.
The GPU is also important if you're planning to play some of the latest video games on your laptop, use it for video/image editing, graphic design, plenty of other graphically intensive tasks. It really depends on what your best laptop for Android development is going to be used for, so you'll have to figure that one out yourselves. It's a useful spec regardless so no harm in investing in a laptop which has a proper spec sheet throughout, but if were planning on finding the best laptop for Android game development, it's best you invest a little extra in the GPU department.
Now that we've gone through everything we needed to, let's get straight into our search of the best laptops for Android development!
The 5 Best Laptops For Android Development
1. Apple MacBook Pro
Our first entry to the list of the best laptops for Android development is going to be the mid-2020 Apple MacBook Pro. Apple's MacBook Pro has long been regarded as a favorite for programmers and Android developer use. It might seem a bit strange considering the iOS vs Android rhetoric, but the laptops are a whole other ball game. The aesthetics of the MacBook Pro is par the course for Apple's hardware with the silver laptop chassis, black keyboard and display and the white logo and backlit keyboard. On the display, the MacBook Pro features a 13.3-inch Retina display with up to 500 nits of brightness and True Tone technology to automatically adjust the display to the environment.
Under the hood, the laptop has some pretty respectable specs to help create the Android app of your choice. The laptop comes with an 8th Gen Quad-Core Intel Core i5-8275U,which features up to 3.9GHz processing speed. To supplement the processor performance, the laptop comes with an 8GB RAM capacity and a standard 256 GB SSD storage. Lastly, the laptop also features an Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 which isn't the best if you were looking to develop games on Android, but should be good enough to handle the minimums.
A few extras the laptop packs in includes Touch ID, Touch Bar, 2x Thunderbolt 3 USB Type-C port (1x USB Type-C Port for charging, 1x USB Type-C port for DisplayPort, Transfers), backlit keyboard, and up to 10 hours of battery life. The MacBook Pro is a great option for any Android developer looking to get into developing and designing their first apps, but if this is out of your budget, you can check out the more affordable MacBook Air laptops.
2. Lenovo ThinkPad T490
Another powerful performing laptop, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is professionalism personified with a blocky, industrial aesthetic. Where the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 truly starts to shine is on the internal specs with a versatile lineup and great customization options. If you weren't keen on a 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8565U processor, you can opt for an affordable 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U for similar performance. But otherwise, the laptop design is pretty straightforward with a 14-inch FHD anti-glare display.
Onto the internal specs we see why this laptop is one of the best options for Android development. As I mentioned earlier, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 comes equipped with an 8th Generation Quad-Core Intel Core i7-8565U processor with up to 4.6GHz of processing speed. The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 also comes with a 16GB RAM capacity, a 256 GB SSD and an Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU. While it doesn't do anything special, the Lenovo ThinkPad brand has always been known for consistent performance for professionals. I can't imagine you'd be lacking much to get your started on Android development with this beastly performer.
A few extra specs the laptop comes with to sweeten the deal includes a fingerprint reader, Windows 10 Home, backlit keyboard, military-grade durability and up to 16 hours of battery life. All in all, the Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is a formidable 'professional' laptop with a lot to offer. With the amount of customization options, you're bound to find a variant you're comfortable with in terms of price and performance.
3. Microsoft Surface Pro 7
Next up on the list to find one of the best laptops for Android development is going to be a very portable programming workstation. This laptop (well, kind of) is the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 which comes in a tablet form factor, but is capable of transforming into a laptop configuration with the Surface Type Cover. The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is what's called a '2-in-1' laptop which can be a great boon for Android developers looking for a powerful laptop, in as compact a frame as possible. The laptop features a slim-and-trim 12.3-inch PixelSense touchscreen capable display with a 2736 x 1824 resolution.
Onto the internal specs, we see that even though the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is a slim, compact tablet by design, it doesn't sacrifice powerful performing specs to get there. The laptop features one of the latest quad-core processor, the 10th Generation Intel Core i7-1065G7 with up to 3.9GHz of processing speed. To supplement the laptop performance, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 also comes with 16GB RAM and a 256 GB SSD capacity. Pretty admirable considering just how small the tablet actually is. For the graphics, we're met with a standard integrated graphics card, the Intel Iris Plus Graphics G7 which should be able to help out in game development and other graphic intensive programs.
Microsoft peppers in a few great extras to complete the package too, including a microSDXC card reader,a built-in kickstand, Wi-Fi 6 support, Windows 10 Pro, and up to 10.5 hours of battery life. Overall, for Android devs looking to find a consistent performer in as small of a footprint as possible, this Microsoft 2-in-1 laptop is the laptop to look for.
4. MSI GF63
For those of you who not only need the best performance in your daily app developing but also want a little game time on the side, this powerful gaming laptop is a great choice to handle both tasks. The MSI GF63 brings to the table an impressive array of specs, the patented 'gamer' aesthetic, and a surprisingly affordable price tag all in one. The gaming laptop comes with a 15.6-inch full HD IPS display with some pretty thin bezels on both sides of the display frame. This makes the 15.6-inch pop out that much more, and helps keep the laptop chassis compact without sacrificing screen real estate.
Under the hood, the laptop continues to impress with a pretty great lineup of specs considering the price tag. The laptop features a 9th Generation Intel Core i7-9750H processor, an 8GB RAM capacity and a 256GB SSD storage capabilities. It isn't the best lineup compared to other powerhouse, premium gaming laptops, but for Android development, the laptop should be more than capable. For the graphical performance, the laptop relies on the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB of dedicated VRAM. There are a few other options to upgrade the MSIGF63 gaming laptop to perform its best in game. But considering you don't really need that much to get started developing apps, this base variant should be comfortable for most users.
The extra features the laptop comes with includes Cooler Boost 5 heat management, Audio Boost, a red backlit keyboard, Windows 10 Home and up to 6 hours of battery life. Based on the spec sheet and the pricing, so far, the MSI GF63 looks to be a solid contender to be the best budget laptop for Android development. Even with the impressive internals and comparable performance, the price tag on this is pretty low. For the budget conscious Android developer, this could very well be the best of the best for you.
5. Acer Aspire E15
Taking a step away from the standard range of laptops we've seen so far, our next feature on the list, the Acer Aspire E15 takes a different approach to a programming laptop. This isn't to say it's a 'bad' laptop, but it definitely is a configuration we haven't see much in recent years. Regardless, this is a capable performer for those looking for the bare minimums in their Android development laptop. First off, the laptop comes with a standard, run-of-the-mill black color scheme and laptop design aesthetic. Definitely not the best in terms of uniqueness and design, but it's simple and gets the job done. On the display, the Acer Aspire E15 comes with a 15.6-inch FHD LED-backlit display with pretty thick bezels around all four corners of the frame.
On the internals though, the laptop does feature some great specs to get you straight into app development. Starting us off is going to be the processor which is an 8th Generation Intel Core i3-8130U, with a base 2.2GHz frequency capable of upping things to 3.2GHz when needed. The Acer Aspire E15 also features a 6GB RAM capacity and a sizable 1TB HDD. Even though this is a HDD which isn't as fast as a SSD storage unit, considering how much storage you get it's kind of an equivalent exchange. For the graphic performance though, don't expect much with an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU.
To top it all off, the laptop comes with a few extras to give customers that extra value including Acer TrueHarmony audio, USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Type-C ports, Windows 10 Home, a disk drive and up to 13.5 hours of battery life. This laptop is a great choice for those looking for something a little more old school, with pretty capable specs to get you running Android Studio and developing apps at your best.
Conclusion
Now that we've gone through a whole hunch of some of the best of the best laptops for Android development, we're going to have to choose just one as our champion. All the laptops we've listed so far will be more than capable of getting you started on creating, coding, and designing Android apps. So if the one we picked isn't the one you were interested in, we'd suggest choosing the better option for you, or using what we've gone through as a base for your own search.
But regardless, our winner today is going to be the Lenovo ThinkPad T490!
The Lenovo ThinkPad T490 is a highly customizable laptop which can get you pretty much any configuration you're looking for. The ThinkPad brand has been a standard for many working professionals, so it's reliability has been cemented in the industry. The ThinkPad T490 is one of the latest examples of that, with formidable specs, great features and a distinct, handsome aesthetic.
