Product development is a complex process that requires a lot of time, effort, and resources. To make the process easier and more efficient, it is important to have the right tools and gadgets at your disposal. With the right tools and gadgets, novice product developers can quickly and easily create high-quality products that meet their needs.
For starters, they can help save time and money by streamlining the development process. They can also help reduce the risk of errors and mistakes, as well as provide a more efficient way to test and refine products. This article will provide an overview of the critical components of successful product development: a powerful computer, multifaceted software, and helpful gadgets. So let’s explore each constituent.
Computer
Every product developer needs a good computer, and there are many options for you. You can choose a laptop, desktop, or all-in-one computer. You can also choose between MacOS, Windows, or Linux operating systems. But there are a number of factors to consider when choosing the right computer for product development.
First, you need to think about your needs. For example, if you’re working on a large-scale project that involves multiple people and requires high-resolution graphics, then it makes sense that your computer should be able to handle this type of workload as well as others. But if all you’re doing is designing websites or apps from home, then there’s no need for anything too powerful or expensive.
After that, assess some considerations:
- Processors
- RAM
- Keyboard
- Storage speed
Let’s break them down.
1. Processors
Processors are the brains of your computer, and they’re responsible for processing all the information that your computer needs to function. A CPU is measured in GHz (gigahertz), which is how fast it can process instructions. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
Intel CPUs tend to be more expensive but also more powerful than AMD ones.
You’ll want at least an i3 processor if you want something powerful enough for programming tasks like building websites or apps. If you’re on a budget and don’t think you need much power yet, consider an i5 instead. Even though it might not be as fast overall as an i7 chip from Intel (or its own equivalent from AMD) it will still give you plenty of horsepower for most applications until later down the line when projects get more complicated (or if someone gives you money).
2. RAM
RAM is the memory that your computer uses to run programs and store data. It’s often called RAM, but this acronym stands for random access memory. If you have enough RAM, your computer can run more programs at once without slowing down or crashing. If you don’t have enough RAM, it’ll be much harder for your laptop to do anything at all.
Look for one with a powerful processor, plenty of RAM, and a large hard drive. This will ensure that you have the power and storage you need to develop your products.
3. Keyboard
The keyboard is an important part of your programming experience, as it’s how you’ll be writing code. You want to find a laptop with a keyboard that feels comfortable for long periods of use and has enough space between the keys so it’s easy to type. Look for one with backlit keys if you work in low-light or dark environments; this will help prevent eye strain and allow you to see what keypresses are being made more easily.
When looking at keyboards on different laptops, compare them by holding down each key; if there’s too much travel distance or resistance when pressing down on each key individually, then this might indicate poor quality or durability over time (though some people are fine with this). In addition, look at how large each letter appears on the screen: does it appear small enough so that even when typing fast without looking at what letter comes next? Or does everything seem too big – perhaps even uncomfortably so?
4. Storage speed
When it comes to storage, there are two types: HDD (hard disk drive) and SSD (solid state drive). The second is faster but more expensive, so you may need to make compromises if you’re looking for a laptop that will handle all your programming needs.
If you’re planning on doing serious coding on your laptop, then an SSD should be your first choice. This will ensure that programs open quickly and run smoothly without any lag or long loading times between commands.
One of the best computers to use as a product developer is a Macbook Pro. This is for two reasons:
- It has an operating system that is easy to work with.
- The hardware of the machine itself is great for running multiple applications at once.
However, it’s also very expensive – and not the best option for everybody. If you’re looking for something more affordable but still powerful enough to run your programming tools smoothly (and with some extra features), consider getting an LG gram, Dell XPS 13 (one of the best large-screen laptops), and HP Spectre x360. After buying a decent laptop, you’ll need a good set of tools.
Software
Developers can’t innovate new products without software for project management, design, and team communication. These applications help management and engineering teams work together to create new features.
Product development software gives you the ability to manage your organization’s product lifecycle, including design, prototyping, and testing. It also provides a way to monitor employees’ performance against production goals by providing timely feedback on their progress toward meeting those objectives.
These are the tools you’re most likely to need.
Jira for project management
Jira is software for managing projects and helping teams collaborate effectively. It allows users to create tasks, assign them to team members and track their progress over time. Jira also integrates with other tools such as GitHub, so you can see when code has been committed or pull requests have been merged into your repository.
Clarizen for project management
This software provides real-time visibility into the progress of your projects. Clarizen offers a wide range of features including:
- Collaboration tools so teams can work together on projects from anywhere, anytime;
- Reporting dashboards with actionable data to make informed decisions;
- Resource management capabilities such as task assignment and time tracking.
Slack for team communication
Slack is a chat and collaboration tool for businesses with large teams. One of its advantages entails the range of helpful integrations with other services such as Google Drive. Its goal is to help you keep in touch with your team members while creating a product. It’s also useful for sharing files and creating task lists.
Planview for roadmapping
Planview helps teams plan their projects. Apart from the basic collaboration features, it offers:
- Roadmapping capabilities including backlog prioritization & rank order based on user input;
- Portfolio management tools with KPI reporting capabilities as well as custom reporting options;
- Release planning features include burn-down charts & burndown reports, so you can see how your team is progressing towards their goal(s).
Figma for design
Figma is an online tool for designing interactive prototypes using drag-and-drop features that enable designers to create high-fidelity mockups quickly without having to switch between multiple applications (such as Photoshop). The platform also integrates with Sketch so that designers can use both programs simultaneously without losing any work in progress or data when switching back and forth between them.
CAD for 2D/3D design
CAD software is essential for product development, as it allows developers to create detailed designs of their products. This can help them visualize their products and make sure they are meeting their 2D/3D design goals.
Let’s move on to the gadgets a product developer might need.
Gadgets
To build new solutions, you’ll probably need some gadgets. For example, a 3D printer can help you create prototypes quickly and cheaply.
3D printing can be used to create physical models of the product, which can be used for testing and evaluation. This can help them test and refine their products before they go into production. And that’s not all.
You can also use Raspberry Pi components to create a low-cost development platform. Imagine, you can develop your own products with a credit-card-sized little device that plugs into a computer monitor. So you can literally create a smart home hub.
You might need sensors to add functionality to your app. When it comes to product development, sensors can help you build new features into your product by collecting meaningful data about how people use them.
A sensor is a device that detects and responds to some type of physical change in its environment. Sensors are often used in conjunction with other technologies, such as microcontrollers or computers, to provide data about their surroundings. They can also be used on their own to create simple machines like switches and alarms that respond when something happens nearby.
Additionally, virtual reality tools are also great for product development. They allow you to create free-form concepts and test them in a virtual environment before creating physical prototypes.
Virtual reality tools are available for designers who want to create free-form concepts, develop 3D models, sculpt digital clay, and animate characters. The way the current hardware works involves a virtual reality headset and two controllers. One controller allows you to draw or build things within your space; the other serves as your hand-held gadget when you want to touch something within your virtual world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, having an optimal computer, the right tools, and gadgets in place for the product development process is essential for novice product developers. From prototyping to testing and production, having the right tools and gadgets in place can make the difference between a successful product launch and a failed one.
Author’s Bio:Â
Alex Kulitski is Founder and CEO of Smart IT and is the co-founder and executive CTO at MEDvidi. Being a serial entrepreneur, he is a keen investor in technology startups and runs several successful side projects besides Smart IT and MEDvidi.
