Workstations for Android Studio – new and refurbished

FAQ

What hardware configuration should I choose for working in Android Studio?

Android Studio with an emulator needs, above all, a powerful multi-core processor, plenty of RAM and a fast SSD. For most projects, a good starting point is at least 16 GB of RAM. For larger apps or when running several emulators at once, it's better to aim for 32 GB. You'll find specific configurations in this category.

How much RAM do I need for Android Studio and the emulator?

The official minimum is 8 GB, but in day-to-day work with an emulator that quickly turns out to be too little. Comfortable work usually starts at 16 GB. If you build large projects, run several emulators or use other tools at the same time, it's better to choose 32 GB or more.

Does the Android emulator need a dedicated graphics card, or is integrated graphics enough?

Android Studio itself doesn't require a dedicated graphics card. However, one can make the emulator run more smoothly, especially with 3D apps or games. For typical projects, integrated graphics are often enough, as long as the processor and RAM are powerful enough.

Is it worth buying a used, ex-lease computer for Android app development?

Yes, business-class ex-lease hardware is a sensible choice if performance for the price matters to you. Pay attention to the processor generation, the amount of RAM and the type of drive (ideally an NVMe SSD). In this category, you can compare new and ex-lease hardware.

Which processor should I choose for fast Android project builds?

Gradle builds use multiple cores, so the more high-performance cores and the higher the clock speed, the shorter the build time. It's better to choose newer multi-core processors, such as Intel Core i7/i9, Xeon or AMD Ryzen/Threadripper. The emulator also needs hardware virtualization support, which is standard in processors of this type.