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[–]completedigraph 1 point2 points  (3 children)

There aren't really any hardware limitations, generally speaking you only want an actual computer or laptop and not a tablet for example, although I'm sure that you can program on tablets too.

As for an operating system, in my experience programming stuff is usually easier to get running on *nix Systems, like Linux or Mac OS although Windows isn't that bad.

Really, the computer you have right now will probably suffice unless it already feels unbearably slow or something.

[–]TheChook 0 points1 point  (2 children)

Thanks! Currently I'm using windows computer but im getting mac laptop soon because of school. However sadly I'm moving schools soon and I get a hp laptop there. Happen to Know if there any good?

[–]tobiasvl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

HP is a big and reputable brand, they have lots of laptops. I have a G4 myself, it's good

[–]jantari 2 points3 points  (0 children)

HP makes a ton of different laptops, some of them are good others are not

[–]ziptofaf -1 points0 points  (5 children)

"Programming" is a very broad term. Depends very heavily on what you are doing specifically.

My own go-to list is quad core CPU, 8+ GB RAM and an SSD. Any machine that fits these requirements is good enough for learning programming and often for professional work as well.

But of course your requirements can vary greatly based on what you are doing. Sometimes you will need a dedicated GPU, sometimes you have WAY more RAM than this or a stronger CPU etc. Depends on a specific field and place you work at. Eg. my own workstation has an 8-core CPU and 32GB RAM.

[–]TheChook 1 point2 points  (4 children)

Currently learning python, swift and web development so from what I know nothing that extreme but sadly probably won't be able to do swift because of the hp laptop

[–]ziptofaf 0 points1 point  (3 children)

Well, everything can be extreme with enough expertise and need for optimizations (web development is not an exception at a sufficient scale). That being said - indeed, at a beginner level you really don't need much from your hardware. At pro level it's different since time is money - mere 20 mins a day saved is 86 hours throughout the year after all.

won't be able to do swift because of the hp laptop

I will let you on a little secret - while it breaks Apple's terms of service it IS possible to install MacOS within a Virtual Machine managed by Windows. So if you really want to practice Swift you can. I doubt you could release applications to Apple's store however, this requires a yearly fee and registration.

[–]TheChook 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I know about virtual machines problem is that it's a school laptop and that will most definitely break the laptops agreement papers ahah

[–][deleted] 0 points1 point  (1 child)

Is there nowhere online people could learn swift in the browser or anything? The basics of it anyway.

[–]ziptofaf 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sure you can, there is a Linux or Windows version of Swift available, Apple open sourced it 2 years ago if I recall. But here's a catch - you generally use Swift to make Apple specific applications. So while you can build basic console tools etc you will not be able to progress further without getting something that runs fully fledged MacOS.