Take a look at how the iMac Pro stacks up against some other good options for front-end developers;
| Computer | RAM | Graphics card | Storage | CPU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iMac Pro | 128GB | AMD Vega 64 | 2TB | 3.0Ghz Intel Xeon W |
| Dell DPS 15 | 8-64GB | Nvidia GeForce GTX 16 50 Ti | 265-1TB | Intel Core i5-i7 |
| Dell XPS 17 | Up to 64GB | Nvidia GeForce 2060 6GB | 2TB | Intel Core i9-10885H |
| Huawei Matebook 13 | 8GB | Nvidia GeForce MX 150 2GB | 265-512GB | Intel Core i5-i7 |
The best computers for front-end developers are those that are fast enough to run programs on whilst being portable enough for the developer to take their work with them when they travel around. Although a front-end developer doesn’t necessarily need a super-powered computer to get front-end programming done, it certainly helps. It also doesn’t hurt to have a stunning computer to do that work on. In this respect, we’ll be taking a look at if the iMac Pro is a good choice for front-end developers.
First of all, let’s take a look at its specifications
Specifications
- CPU: 3.0GHz Intel Xeon W (deca-core, 14MB cache, up to 4.5GHz)
- Graphics: AMD Vega 64 (16GB HBM2 RAM)
- RAM: 128GB DDR4 (2,666MHz)
- Screen: 27-inch 5K (5,120 x 2,880) Retina display (P3 wide color)
- Storage: 2TB SSD
- Ports: 4 x USB-C (Thunderbolt 3), 4 x USB 3.0, SDXC card reader, 10Gb Ethernet, 3.5mm audio jack
- Connectivity: 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2
- Operating system: macOS 10.13 High Sierra
- Camera: FaceTime HD (1080p) webcam
- Weight: 21.5 pounds (9.7kg)
- Size: 25.6 x 8 x 20.3 inches (65 x 20.3 x 51.6cm; W x D x H)
iMac For Front-end Developers
The most important thing for any front-end developer is to have a computer with enough RAM to compile code and run various programs at the same time without crashing. The iMac shines in this area with 128GB of RAM. This is more than enough RAM to run various coding tools at the same time, especially when you compare it to the Dell XPS 15 (a great option for front-end developers) which only has a maximum of 64GB of RAM.
Processing speed is vital when it comes to programming sessions . The iMac Pro comes with a 10-core processor which is configurable up to 18 multi-cores! That’s some serious processing power that can seamlessly run programs like TypeScript, Codekit, Webstorm, AngularJS and other javascript editing programs.
The iMac Pro got a Geekbench score single-core result of 5450 single-core and a multi-core score of 37434.
iMac For Games Programming
The best computers for front-end programmers also have impressive graphics cards to help test and run games and apps. The iMac Pro runs on the Radeon Pro Vega 56 graphics processor with 8GB of HBM2 memory which is very impressive when you compare it to another great computer for front-end developers like the Huawei MateBook 13 which runs on Intel UHD Graphics 620, Nvidia GeForce MX150 2GB GDDR5 and only has 8GB RAM!
The iMac blows this rival out of the water with its improved graphics card and RAM speed. Processing speed isn’t going to be too important unless you do run a lot of front-end programs at the same time but it surely is important for games developers and the iMac won’t disappoint. More cores mean more performance and even the basic 10 multi-core default setting is enough to have multiple complex programs running at the same time.
iMac Pro For Graphics
If you do a lot of image rendering or designing images in PSD formats then the iMac Pro is going to be ideal for you. Apple creates the most stunning display screens and the iMac Pro is no different in terms of beauty. The 5K Retina display beams with light and you’ll be able to see colour with accuracy on this screen. With a 5,120×2,880 resolution, you’re not going to find much better on the market.
For example, another front-end developer’s favorite, the Dell Inspiron 14 5000 (having a smaller screen) only has a resolution of 1,920×1,080.
It is true that you don’t need a great deal of resolution to write code but when it comes to design work, the iMac will display your work in its best form.
Should You Buy The iMac Pro For Front-end Developing?
Pros: great for multi-tasking with different programs and artwork development
Cons: expensive
The iMac Pro isn’t cheap coming in at $4999 but it really is a complete all-in-one desktop for front-end developers thanks to its stunning 5K Retina display and 10-18 multi-core processor. We think the iMac Pro is the ideal computer for front-end develops that need to multi-task. It won’t crash any of your programs and you’ll be able to test code and games whilst editing at the same time with no problem.
The 2TB of storage means you’ve got plenty of space to store programs and files you have created. Yes, the iMac is expensive but we think if you can afford it then not only will it look great on your desk but it’ll be the best computer you’ve ever used for front-end development and is the most professional option in our opinion.
It’s not going to be as easy to move compared with other laptop options or MacBooks but that shouldn’t matter too much if you’re willing to sacrifice mobility for processing power. If you do all of your front-end developing at your desk then this will be perfect for you.
