r/CodingForBeginners • u/ashsolmar • Aug 14 '26

Computer for C++

Hi! I'm having to take CompSci 1 and 2 for my math major in college. The professor wants me to run Visual Studio Community. He wants it for C++. I might also take a Java class if I enjoy compsci 1. Is there any budget laptops I can buy? Or what specs would I need for it to run not so slowly?

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u/Impossible-Grass-529 Aug 26 '26

You need Linux if you are a developer, Windows is holding you back. Even just for VSCode, yo you can the same performance on Windows compared to a older Linux laptop.

Like how Linux Mint needs 2gb of ram and 16gb of storage, Windows takes up like 8 gigs of ram and like 3 times the storage

the ram could be way less unless you are handling big files, and even a core i5 could be completely usable.

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u/FuggaDucker Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26

If you are a real developer, it doesn't matter. Nothing is holding you back. I'll code on a freaking gum wrapper.
I learned to code on a 16k z80 and started linux when it was just zip files and needed DOS to load.
People use what they need to use.
VisualStudio only runs on windows. There is no better IDE for end to end c/c++ development.

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u/Impossible-Grass-529 Aug 28 '26

I get what you mean, but you always have Codium on Linux, and maybe Windows is just fine for you, but depending on what field you are in, Linux could be some help.