Buying a computer for development in Java ecosystem
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Sorry if this is an offtopic in this group. I want to buy a laptop for Java development. Of course the question would be simple if I were doing just plain Java development. But I want to try new technologies often used with Java - Kubernetes, Docker etc. That's why I'm asking it here. These technologies (K8s, Docker) use virtualization. I know that you need to set something in BIOS/UEFI to run Docker. Some years ago I had to buy a new CPU to run 64-bit virtual machines, because my previous CPU was not supporting 64-bit guest virtual machines. The feature in question was called VT-x. Of course the sure thing would be to buy a Mac, but I want a 500-600 EUR laptop. So the question is: 1) Do I need to search for some show-stopper CPU features when choosing a computer? 2) Anything that does not work on AMD chips? 3) Is 8GB RAM sufficient for small/medium sized personal projects? 4) Any other pitfalls? 5) Is Windows 10 Home somehow unusable for professional software development?
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Sorry if this is an offtopic in this group. I want to buy a laptop for Java development. Of course the question would be simple if I were doing just plain Java development. But I want to try new technologies often used with Java - Kubernetes, Docker etc. That's why I'm asking it here. These technologies (K8s, Docker) use virtualization. I know that you need to set something in BIOS/UEFI to run Docker. Some years ago I had to buy a new CPU to run 64-bit virtual machines, because my previous CPU was not supporting 64-bit guest virtual machines. The feature in question was called VT-x. Of course the sure thing would be to buy a Mac, but I want a 500-600 EUR laptop. So the question is: 1) Do I need to search for some show-stopper CPU features when choosing a computer? 2) Anything that does not work on AMD chips? 3) Is 8GB RAM sufficient for small/medium sized personal projects? 4) Any other pitfalls? 5) Is Windows 10 Home somehow unusable for professional software development?
8GB would be fine for dev work, but testing may be pushing it. You're very likely going to be limited to running one virtual machine along side your other dev stuff. Get the fastest processor you can for the money and make sure you get a machine running on an SSD, preferably 1TB. The only other thing I'm going to tell you is stay away from Windows Home. It will not support virtualization.
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Dave Kreskowiak -
Sorry if this is an offtopic in this group. I want to buy a laptop for Java development. Of course the question would be simple if I were doing just plain Java development. But I want to try new technologies often used with Java - Kubernetes, Docker etc. That's why I'm asking it here. These technologies (K8s, Docker) use virtualization. I know that you need to set something in BIOS/UEFI to run Docker. Some years ago I had to buy a new CPU to run 64-bit virtual machines, because my previous CPU was not supporting 64-bit guest virtual machines. The feature in question was called VT-x. Of course the sure thing would be to buy a Mac, but I want a 500-600 EUR laptop. So the question is: 1) Do I need to search for some show-stopper CPU features when choosing a computer? 2) Anything that does not work on AMD chips? 3) Is 8GB RAM sufficient for small/medium sized personal projects? 4) Any other pitfalls? 5) Is Windows 10 Home somehow unusable for professional software development?
- You just need to make sure that the CPU supports virtualization. Its number of cores is also significant. 2) Nope. 3) Normally, yes. But that depends on your definition of small and medium. 4) There are some brands I would avoid. One is a chinese brand whose name begins with an L and ends with an O; the second has only two letters; and the third is a four-letter one beginning with D and ending with L. Also make sure to uninstall all crapware which you don't need on first power up of the computer. 5) Not at all. Why would it be?
"Five fruits and vegetables a day? What a joke! Personally, after the third watermelon, I'm full."
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Sorry if this is an offtopic in this group. I want to buy a laptop for Java development. Of course the question would be simple if I were doing just plain Java development. But I want to try new technologies often used with Java - Kubernetes, Docker etc. That's why I'm asking it here. These technologies (K8s, Docker) use virtualization. I know that you need to set something in BIOS/UEFI to run Docker. Some years ago I had to buy a new CPU to run 64-bit virtual machines, because my previous CPU was not supporting 64-bit guest virtual machines. The feature in question was called VT-x. Of course the sure thing would be to buy a Mac, but I want a 500-600 EUR laptop. So the question is: 1) Do I need to search for some show-stopper CPU features when choosing a computer? 2) Anything that does not work on AMD chips? 3) Is 8GB RAM sufficient for small/medium sized personal projects? 4) Any other pitfalls? 5) Is Windows 10 Home somehow unusable for professional software development?
I will answer your questions on by one. 1. If you go for a medium-range Intel i5 or i7 CPU, you are getting a quite versatile CPU which will satisfy all your needs. If your workload includes hardcore video editing and image processing, then you will be better off with the AMD. Otherwise, nothing beats Intel. 2. For CPU chips, in terms of processing, AMD lags behind Intel in every aspect except for video editing. While AMD GPUs are better for graphic creation, you need NVIDIA GPUs to run CUDA. 3. Judging by the workloads that even web browsers are putting on RAMs nowadays, you should go for 16 GB RAM minimum. 4. While the MacBook is the first choice for many, you will enjoy the playfulness of a Windows laptop. 5. Installing frameworks can be tedious on Windows but nothing worth complaining once you get used to it. One huge benefit of a Windows machine is that you can create a Dual boot with Linux or install Linux in a Virtual Machine software. Then you can use both and choose your favorite.
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Sorry if this is an offtopic in this group. I want to buy a laptop for Java development. Of course the question would be simple if I were doing just plain Java development. But I want to try new technologies often used with Java - Kubernetes, Docker etc. That's why I'm asking it here. These technologies (K8s, Docker) use virtualization. I know that you need to set something in BIOS/UEFI to run Docker. Some years ago I had to buy a new CPU to run 64-bit virtual machines, because my previous CPU was not supporting 64-bit guest virtual machines. The feature in question was called VT-x. Of course the sure thing would be to buy a Mac, but I want a 500-600 EUR laptop. So the question is: 1) Do I need to search for some show-stopper CPU features when choosing a computer? 2) Anything that does not work on AMD chips? 3) Is 8GB RAM sufficient for small/medium sized personal projects? 4) Any other pitfalls? 5) Is Windows 10 Home somehow unusable for professional software development?
Yes. definitely!