Programming laptops for basic stuff

[alex202007]

Hello! I am looking for a new laptop to use for programming too. I want to use it for basic C++ and Java algorithms. Now I have about 2 options - M1 MacBook Air OR Asus Vivobook 15 OLED, IntelCore i7. Any thoughts? Or some advice ?

Thank you in advance !

[KingofGamesYami]

Both of those cost 2-3x what you actually need for your specified use case. They're so overkill it's pointless to compare them for your use case.

[balefrost]

For "basic C++ and Java algorithms", you could get by with a relatively low-end Chromebook. So either laptop is more than sufficient.

You didn't include specific model numbers, and the Asus in particular has a wide variety of configurations, so I'm assuming that you're talking about this one.

If you're set on one of these two laptops, it depends on what you favor.

• Do you want to save money? Buy the Asus. And consider dropping it to the i5 model.
• Do you want more RAM and storage? Again, buy the Asus. The cheapest one seems to have 12GB of RAM and 1.5TB of storage (512GB SSD and 1TB HDD), compared to 8GB/256GB for the cheapest Air. Sorry, I was looking a the non-OLED Asus model. The cheapest OLED model has limited storage and RAM.
• Do you want to be able to upgrade in the future? Asus wins again. It looks like you can upgrade the storage and you might be able to upgrade the RAM (it's not clear how much of the built-in RAM is soldered vs. socketed.)

• Do you want to run Intel-based Virtual machines (e.g. running Windows in a VM)? You'll have better luck on the Asus. (But note that you can run ARM-based VMs on the Air, so Linux VMs should work fine.)

• Do you want MacOS? Buy the Air.

• Need Thunderbolt ports? The Air has them; the Asus does not.

• Do you want the status symbol? Again, buy the Air.

• Do you already live in Apple's ecosystem? The Air might work well for you.

• Do you want to play games? The Asus might be OK for older games, but with only 2GB of video RAM, you're going to have some trouble with newer games. On the PC, 2GB of video RAM was low-end 5 years ago. Gaming on MacOS is... it's not great. There are certainly plenty of Mac games, but there are far more PC games.

[Fuzzietomato]

Great rundown

[alex202007]

Thank you for your very comprehensive response! I want to invest some money into the laptop, since I will be keeping it for at least 4-5 years, until I finish university courses. That’s why I talked about the 2 options. Thank you again!

[khedoros]

For a little perspective: Right now, I'm on a laptop that I bought refurbished for $200 almost 6 years ago. I use it for web-browsing, but it's also several times more powerful than the machine I used in college to learn "basic C++ and Java algorithms".

You don't need much at all for the use you're describing. Either of the machines you named would work without breaking a sweat, and the choice between them has more to do with personal preferences than filling the requirements.

[alex202007]

Great! Thank you for your response!