Apps Windows PC for app development

[Sven Hedlund]

Dear forum members,

I intend to start learning to develop apps for Android. My PC is a bit old however, Intel Core i7 920 2.67 GHz from 2009, with 16 GB ram, running Windows 10.

Will this computer be good enough for Android App development? I guess I need decent speed of the build process and I need to be able to run various emulators sufficiently fast.

If not good enough, could you recommend a decent (Windows) modern computer configuration that will not break my bank?

Warm regards,
Sven

 

[Deleted User]

I reckon you should be ok with that spec, decent amount of memory there. If not you have some other options:-
- Use a real device, rather than an emulator
- Install a Linux O/S and dual boot with Windows. Under Linux your machine will perform better.

 

[Sven Hedlund]

Sounds great if I can postpone upgrading my computer. I have an Android phone (Samsung S6) that I can use. But what gives the fastest workflow - running an emulator or transferring to the phone and run it from there?

Also: is it possible to use encryption on the phone used for running my own apps or will that slow down the process considerably?

Thanks for your reply!

 

[Deleted User]

I use a real device for development and testing all the time. It's a very quick turnaround from code change, to deployment and running.
Debugging also works like a dream.
I also understand that JRebel is now available for Android, so that would speed things up even more. But as I say, the turnaround time is good anyway.

 

[Robpuk38]

Sounds great if I can postpone upgrading my computer. I have an Android phone (Samsung S6) that I can use. But what gives the fastest workflow - running an emulator or transferring to the phone and run it from there?

Also: is it possible to use encryption on the phone used for running my own apps or will that slow down the process considerably?

Thanks for your reply!

I would run real phone because the emulator allows you to do things the phone will not allow, and when you think you have it all worked out and you test it on a phone crash now you have to trace out your problem.

 

[Sven Hedlund]

Great info! How about encrypting my S6? Is that a bad idea if I want to develop apps on it?

 

[Deleted User]

Re: you follow up question on encryption

I would run real phone because the emulator allows you to do things the phone will not allow, and when you think you have it all worked out and you test it on a phone crash now you have to trace out your problem.

Agreed. I think where an emulator comes in handy is to try your app on a device you don't have, say for example a tablet. Your UI layout will probably be different.