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Best Computer OS for Android Development?

Hey guys, I'm new here and new to Android Development. I would like to try my hand at it. Can you guys suggest the best OS for Developing Android Apps.
Linux (Which Distro)
Windows
Thanks
Andrew

I to have been curious as to the best linux distro for android development. I'm not looking for afull blown linus os...more along the lines of dsl for android and app development. I have only dabbled with linux, mainly dsl and phlak livecds. I want something a little more capable then that.

avacomputers said:
Hey guys, I'm new here and new to Android Development. I would like to try my hand at it. Can you guys suggest the best OS for Developing Android Apps.
Linux (Which Distro)
Windows
Thanks
Andrew
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
UBUNTU IS THE BEST OS because android is developed under linux with java base...
if you tray windoze you must to adjust a lot of thinks and make compatibilities... don´t complicate and try UBUNTU 10
An answer of one ubuntu lover!
sorry somtimes my english is poor

Linux is best os android development application. Android is an operating system based on Linux and a robot body or synthetic. It is open source as a Java library. It is a software stack for mobile devices because it includes an operating system and middleware, application key.

I think the best Linux for Developing Android is Ubuntu. There is a new version, 11.04. Try it

i know linux is the obvious choice for android development as it has the same base as android. i also understand ubuntu is the most popular of the linux brands, but i dont really need a full blown linux os. i curently use my mobile-ap for internet with about 2 bars if that...so internet speeds are slow. i dont want to spend alot of time and bandwidth downloading a linux os with features i will probably never use. or is there a light version of ubuntu with just a basic environment i need to develop for android?
as for my other computing needs, im still a windows fan!

Is Fedora on GNOME 3.0 a good platform for development?

yea i like linux mint its more user friendly than ubuntu

Since you might be using Eclipse as IDE, there shouldn't be too much difference using a windows or linux OS.
We're using windows and we're satisfied...

Just try different OSs. You'll notice windows is slow when compiling Java. Why is that - the OS, or the usual virus scanners sitting on it - don't know. I'm pulling my hair right know why my Macbook Pro on a 7000 rpm drive is much (3x) faster to compile than windows XP on a 10K rpm drive. My office buddy's telling me Linux is faster then windows.

Wow... some of the answers in this thread are just... wow...
Ok listen up people!
For just pure development it doesn't matter which OS you choose. You can code just as well in Linux, Windows or Mac since they all run the JDK, Eclipse and the Android SDK just as well. HOWEVER:
Linux has some advantages over the two:
1. The Android emulator will run better on certain versions of Linux depending on how they are set up. The AVD works by using an emulation technology called qemu which is now integrated in the Linux kernel giving it direct access to the processor thus improving the speed of the emulator significantly. Windows and MacOS don't have qemu integrated in their kernel as far as I know therefore the emulator works like S**t.
2. Linux distributions by default are optimised to work faster on hardware than Windows. Take note of the words "than Windows". MacOS is highly optimised to work as fast as possible on Macs therefore it can't really compete in this category. But for PC users, if you invest the time and effort to make your Linux machine tweaked accordingly to your hardware settings it will blow windows away when it comes to processing speed, therefore enhancing the quickness of your IDE as a result.
Now that we got that out of the way, I do have a warning: Linux Is Hard To Configure Properly! Unless you know exactly what you are doing you will brake it over and over and over again until you get it working. If you really must use Linux, here are the distributions I recommend for developing Android apps:
Linux Beginners: Ubuntu - any version above 10.04 I think. Take your pick at what works best for you
Linux Intermediate: Spend some time configuring a Slackware Machine with Eclipse + ADT + JDK + qemu. You won't be sorry.
Linux Advanced: Gentoo or Archbang depending on preferance
Linux Experts: The bloody hell are you doing on this thread?

taranasus said:
Wow... some of the answers in this thread are just... wow...
Ok listen up people!
For just pure development it doesn't matter which OS you choose. You can code just as well in Linux, Windows or Mac since they all run the JDK, Eclipse and the Android SDK just as well. HOWEVER:
Linux has some advantages over the two:
1. The Android emulator will run better on certain versions of Linux depending on how they are set up. The AVD works by using an emulation technology called qemu which is now integrated in the Linux kernel giving it direct access to the processor thus improving the speed of the emulator significantly. Windows and MacOS don't have qemu integrated in their kernel as far as I know therefore the emulator works like S**t.
2. Linux distributions by default are optimised to work faster on hardware than Windows. Take note of the words "than Windows". MacOS is highly optimised to work as fast as possible on Macs therefore it can't really compete in this category. But for PC users, if you invest the time and effort to make your Linux machine tweaked accordingly to your hardware settings it will blow windows away when it comes to processing speed, therefore enhancing the quickness of your IDE as a result.
Now that we got that out of the way, I do have a warning: Linux Is Hard To Configure Properly! Unless you know exactly what you are doing you will brake it over and over and over again until you get it working. If you really must use Linux, here are the distributions I recommend for developing Android apps:
Linux Beginners: Ubuntu - any version above 10.04 I think. Take your pick at what works best for you
Linux Intermediate: Spend some time configuring a Slackware Machine with Eclipse + ADT + JDK + qemu. You won't be sorry.
Linux Advanced: Gentoo or Archbang depending on preferance
Linux Experts: The bloody hell are you doing on this thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Awe but Archbang is easy, how about pure Arch Linux ;D

is ubuntu still best OS to develop android apps?

how to take back up of only videos on my Android device?
taranasus said:
Wow... some of the answers in this thread are just... wow...
Ok listen up people!
For just pure development it doesn't matter which OS you choose. You can code just as well in Linux, Windows or Mac since they all run the JDK, Eclipse and the Android SDK just as well. HOWEVER:
Linux has some advantages over the two:
1. The Android emulator will run better on certain versions of Linux depending on how they are set up. The AVD works by using an emulation technology called qemu which is now integrated in the Linux kernel giving it direct access to the processor thus improving the speed of the emulator significantly. Windows and MacOS don't have qemu integrated in their kernel as far as I know therefore the emulator works like S**t.
2. Linux distributions by default are optimised to work faster on hardware than Windows. Take note of the words "than Windows". MacOS is highly optimised to work as fast as possible on Macs therefore it can't really compete in this category. But for PC users, if you invest the time and effort to make your Linux machine tweaked accordingly to your hardware settings it will blow windows away when it comes to processing speed, therefore enhancing the quickness of your IDE as a result.
Now that we got that out of the way, I do have a warning: Linux Is Hard To Configure Properly! Unless you know exactly what you are doing you will brake it over and over and over again until you get it working. If you really must use Linux, here are the distributions I recommend for developing Android apps:
Linux Beginners: Ubuntu - any version above 10.04 I think. Take your pick at what works best for you
Linux Intermediate: Spend some time configuring a Slackware Machine with Eclipse + ADT + JDK + qemu. You won't be sorry.
Linux Advanced: Gentoo or Archbang depending on preferance
Linux Experts: The bloody hell are you doing on this thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you guide me how to take back up of only videos on my Android device
using own made program or application software.
Means from where to begin ?
What to cover first ?
File system of Android ?
Or direct using system calls I can copy videos directly ?
regards
matt

You suggested its worth time & effort to properly setup Slackware it would be worth our while. Ok found u page2. Let's see is the needed software list still valid 2015?
Where can I go for support setting up Slackware for android development.
Plus FYI can't watch tutorial video be.cause Flash no longer supports Linux.

I have UBUNTU 16.04.
I've noticed a lot of people saying to use Ubuntu 10. is that because the post is old or is the 10th generation Ubuntu the best for android development. i also am a noob. i can root, i have successfully flashed a lg stylo once with katana rom. i still use it to this day,,,,, bc my gf "accidentally" broke my 500gig hdd that i was booting windows ten from via usb on my dell inspiron. i was using mainly odin and lg flash tool which i rem was hard to get up and running on Ubuntu which if i rem correctly is why i went to windows when i am flashing. Any suggestions or refferences would help greatly. i fig if im starting over id better do it the correct way. My end goal is to try my hand at learning android development. Ty LOVE THE SITE

[Q] Best Machine Build for Development

I want to start development of roms and apps for android phones and tablets. But I'm in the market for a new computer considering the one I have is issued to me through work and I don't want to run it down with extra drivers and such. What kind of machine do I want/need? Will a laptop suffice? Desktop preferred? And then after that point, what programs are out there to kick start the dev process? Thank you ahead of time for your responses. XDA forever!

Well, if you get a laptop, you're not chained to a desk, and Linux is basically the father of Android, so I would recommend a laptop with a disc drive, and installing a GNOME-based distro of Linux (such as Ubuntu or Linux Mint). If you need to, you can always dual-boot with Windows.
Swyped from my HTC Desire running Oxygen 1.0.4 with Tapatalk.

The Android SDK can be downloaded here
http://developer.android.com/index.html
Versions exist for Windows, Mac and Linux, but as mentioned above it will probably be a little less hassle under a Linux distro, and also it is gratis! There are loads of samples and tutorials on the above site.

Thanks guys. I didn't think anyone would ever reply to this after awhile. I've wiped my old Toshiba and installed Windows 7 Ultimate for now. But I've been toying with the idea of running Ubuntu.

PC emulation on Android - OS XDA project links.

So in this thread it tells you how to install pc operating systems like windows and linux on the Evo 3D.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1459153
This, is freaking awesome. This one is a big breakthrough.
----
Here is the thread in the Nook Color forums for ubuntu on the device:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1055954
----
These two threads are native installs, not using some client to access the installation, the device itself is the client as it should be.
This is not some chrooted virtual OS simulation, but the real deal installed to the device.
----
In the back of my mind i've wanted to play with ubuntu installed on the MT4GS, but not a virtual installation I want it installed and running on the device natively.
I definitely don't have the time to do this and a lot i'm trying to do around here even if I wasn't in my busy season for work.
Dropping this information so I can find it later when I do get to trying to get ubuntu (and now windows XP looks like a possibility) installed on this device.
If anyone else feels like looking into this, here's a good place to start. If anyone comes across any other projects that are the real deal and not virtual installs please post links here.
Have fun!

Blue6IX said:
So in this thread it tells you how to install pc operating systems like windows and linux on the Evo 3D.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1459153
This, is freaking awesome. This one is a big breakthrough.
----
Here is the thread in the Nook Color forums for ubuntu on the device:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1055954
----
These two threads are native installs, not using some client to access the installation, the device itself is the client as it should be.
This is not some chrooted virtual OS simulation, but the real deal installed to the device.
----
In the back of my mind i've wanted to play with ubuntu installed on the MT4GS, but not a virtual installation I want it installed and running on the device natively.
I definitely don't have the time to do this and a lot i'm trying to do around here even if I wasn't in my busy season for work.
Dropping this information so I can find it later when I do get to trying to get ubuntu (and now windows XP looks like a possibility) installed on this device.
If anyone else feels like looking into this, here's a good place to start. If anyone comes across any other projects that are the real deal and not virtual installs please post links here.
Have fun!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Regardless of what impression you may have, it is ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE to run MSWin on ARM hardware natively. The reason for this is that MSWin is x86 and ARM is... ARM. The approach used in the first link is to use BOCHS (pronounced "Box"), which is a VIRTUAL HARDWARE EMULATOR. It requires a host operating system to be functioning in the background, in this case Linux.
As for Ubuntu... well sure. No problem. Its Linux and the phone runs Linux. Not that big of a stretch to replace the Android parts with GNU.
Note that NONE of this is any kind of "great breakthrough". Bochs has been around for a VERY long time. First OPEN SOURCED in early 2000. Yeah, 12 years ago. As for Ubuntu... well I suppose that the main reason that most people aren't making a native android replacement out of ubuntu, is that not many people are all that interested in it. Cute in theory, but not practical.
What would be a more worthy project would be to upgrade android to GNU libraries and utilities. This would afford us an actually USEFUL balance between the two. Also the ability to run X *through* android without having to do stupid things like VNC. Have the proper interface ***AS AN ANDROID APPLICATION***, leaving Android to work (i.e., phone calls, etc.) while simultaneously offering the standard Linux applications.
My thought though, is that this is becoming less and less important. Firefox is on Android now, the Document foundation has announced LibreOffice for Android -- supposed to be by late 2012 to early 2013... GIMP has no place on Android... That certainly covers the basics.

Appreciate the post. I didn't have time to dig into it too deeply, so took it at face value for the impression I got. Happened to come across it in passing and didn't want to lose track of something vital to the future dev of a project like this on the doubleshot. (but definitely this doesn't belong in the dev section at this time - just clutter there.)
I was hoping people would add to it, especially the way you have, who had more of an understanding of what's going on there - I didn't realize that it was a virtual environment for the windows stuff, but it did seem to good to be true.
Even if no one responded I figured the thread would get pushed down out of the way, but still be here when I got the time to come back to it.
----
My reason for running native linux on the device itself is to be able to use the Android SDK and tools without needing a computer to do so. I have 2 of these phones and a Nook Color. The NC has USB host support, so I could plug the doubleshot into it without frying either device. (yes, i'm blending android and linux concepts here - but usb host support in android shows that it's capable of doing it)
Even from one doubleshot to the other I could use wifi adb for a lot of stuff without plugging them into each other through USB and frying the phones. So that would be a victory as well.
The lack of a hardware charging circuit in the doubleshot makes the worry of frying the phones a big deal, power transfer through USB is a big hurdle to jump in management.
Beyond that - the doubleshot is powerful enough on hardware specs to be able to compile a kernel, but that's not gonna happen through a virtual linux install because the overhead is too much. A native install might just be able to do it though. Won't know until I try, but it's worth the work to get to the point of trying, even if it doesn't work out.
The Nook Color probably won't be able to compile a kernel - it's asking too much from a device not really able to handle that.
Getting what I mentioned above to work would mean I could do all my dev work with what fits in my pocket, and let me keep working wherever I am.
I do like the idea of an app to work with this through Android itself - but I don't see how I could use the SDk and variety of user-created tools without a native linux install. Worth pursuing either way though.
If anyone has anything to add, i'd be welcome to hear it. Just understand this is not a project i'm working on or actively pursuing right now - but fully intend to down the line.

Actually blue. There is a thread somewhere that has a step by step on installing ubuntu on gingerbread. I meant to add it when I added the backtrack link. For some reason I didn't, I probably forgot, I actually think the link for it is in the backtrack thread in the sticky.
If I do find it ill let you know.
Sent from my ICS Splashed using Tapatalk

Hey people, windows 7 or Linux???

I know this has nothing to do with phones but I want to know what minds on this forum think. Thanks!
Sent from my MB870 using XDA App

Linux, of course.
Sent from HTC G2

I use Linux, Win7 and OSX depending on what I'm doing...but Linux is certainly my favorite, especially for development, and for phones!!! = : ]
By the way this should probably have gone into the off topic section (although I did just tie it back into phones!!!)

MrBultitude said:
I use Linux, Win7 and OSX depending on what I'm doing...but Linux is certainly my favorite, especially for development, and for phones!!! = : ]
By the way this should probably have gone into the off topic section (although I did just tie it back into phones!!!)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what he said. I have a macbook pro,and through Vmware Fusion I use win7, Ubuntu and CentOS when I need them. I find CentOS to be the lightest and fastest Linux I've used although I haven't really tried alot of the other Linux images.
MoPhoACTV Initiative

I have installed both Linux (openSUSE) and Windows 7. I only need Windows if i need to run a Windows program which I can't run in Linux using wine, so I use Windows very, very seldom.

I also have both installed. it's a matter of what do you need. I only use Linux for software developing but, W7 is more "friendly" to the user..

windows 7 ....

Ihave windows 7 installed, and use a few different Linux live distro's for work and play.
Knoppix
Kubuntu
Ubuntu
UBCD
Gparted
Android X86

Ohschit said:
I know this has nothing to do with phones but I want to know what minds on this forum think. Thanks!
Sent from my MB870 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have both. I am primarily using Windows 7 until I can freaking get adb set up on Linux. The only thing I don't like about Linux is how almost everything is done through terminal.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk

Waddle said:
I have both. I am primarily using Windows 7 until I can freaking get adb set up on Linux. The only thing I don't like about Linux is how almost everything is done through terminal.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you're scared of the terminal, then start off with beginner's Linux, Ubuntu. I'm not poking fun at you or anything, but my 14 year old sister uses Ubuntu. She prefers it over Windows. Linux isn't the ugly monster it once was. Personally, I use Windows 7 Pro x64 for work, and Mint Linux for personal use. I'm following the development on Haiku very closely, though.

I'm using linuxmint. I think it's easier to use linux with my android, especially to connect to it using adb and running root shell, because the terminal is the same.
Sent from my SK17i using XDA App

wow - all people so calm here
Where are the ****ing nerds - freaking out when the word windows even comes up? *lol*
Well I loved those question ever since - as u can't tell this in general at all.
- user friendlyness and hardware support:
still win7 since any hardware developer focuses on win drivers
even linux is a lot better now compared to former times (I still have some pieces of hardware wich are not or just half working)
-stability:
never had a bluescreen with win7 again, even some crappy hardware drivers still can affect it
linux stable anyway as long as u dont play around with the kernel
-networking
u got other win7 pc's at home or even use homegroups,... -> win7
(since ms changed something in the smb encryption in win7)
But the most important question is:
What are u doing with your computer?
e.g.
- Games:
defnitly Win7
- Programming:
in general -> Win7 or linux
.Net, VB, C#, Win Phone,... -> Win7 (as u won't find software for linux)
- surfing and all other stuff u want to do:
doesn't matter at all - beside some flash and silverlight functionality
- and what is most important!:
Do u need some programs like: Ableton Live, any Adobe, most CAD,...
Cause those will force you to win7
From my stand atm:
I tried linux again and again over the past 12 years now and each time I came back to win due to some missing applications or some malfunctioning hardware.
Anyway there are just a few things u can do with linux that u can't do with win7.
But there are several limitations on linux due to missing professional programs.
Even there is wine,... and dualboot and VM's
But as I hate to reboot I use Win7 as main operating system and linux in a VM (wich i barely use).
Actualy there are just 2 things I miss on my win7: fancy accelerated desktop, pulseaudio (for sound over ip)
Anyway:
From starting point. If somebody doesn't own a system yet and just want's to do basic stuff (office, surfing,..) or even some programing -> use linux as its free
If u then need some other fucntionality u need windows for -> go buy it

Well I'd say Linux, Ubuntu is a very good one to use and now you can use Gnome 3 with it which is just...so so good
What applications do you use on Windows? If you struggle after saying browser and Itunes, it's a no brainer. Also Antivirus doesn't count
If you use Office applications such as Word, Libre office is a great replacement and there are many add-ons you can install to improve the usability.
I Dual boot Ubuntu and Windows 7 and have OpenSuse, Mint, Backtrack and Fedora on live USB's and plan on having them on a separate laptop once I can afford it. If it wasn't for my study I wouldn't even use Windows 7
Oh and you can save some cash!

Hey guys,
just wondering if I installed Linux can I switch back to Windows 7 easily or not? Also will programs such as Adobe software, iTunes, uTorrent and Microsoft Office work fine?
Thanks

Windows 7...Direct X.

CurtisAndroid5 said:
Hey guys,
just wondering if I installed Linux can I switch back to Windows 7 easily or not? Also will programs such as Adobe software, iTunes, uTorrent and Microsoft Office work fine?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can it's quite simple. You may want to Dual boot though, which is very simple and Ubuntu is one of the best for this (By this I mean the guide it gives you while doing it, mainly yes, and no questions)
Although the software will pose a problem, you will need to find alternatives for Itunes you have banshee inbuilt into Ubuntu, as well as Libre office and there is a download for torrent on Linux and there are multiple alternatives. As for Adobe software which do you mean? GIMP is a good alternative to Photoshop and you can download a flash plugin to view flash.

For me, its LinuxMint Debian Edition (With Gnome3) on my main laptop. I have been Windows Free for 5 years and loving it

Amosela said:
Yes you can it's quite simple. You may want to Dual boot though, which is very simple and Ubuntu is one of the best for this (By this I mean the guide it gives you while doing it, mainly yes, and no questions)
Although the software will pose a problem, you will need to find alternatives for Itunes you have banshee inbuilt into Ubuntu, as well as Libre office and there is a download for torrent on Linux and there are multiple alternatives. As for Adobe software which do you mean? GIMP is a good alternative to Photoshop and you can download a flash plugin to view flash.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the informative reply.
I meant as in Adobe Master Collection (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier Pro etc). I'm familiar with GIMP, it's how I first got into graphic-design! I'll definitely do some reading up on Ubuntu and Linux in general.
Thanks a bunch.

CurtisAndroid5 said:
Thanks for the informative reply.
I meant as in Adobe Master Collection (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premier Pro etc). I'm familiar with GIMP, it's how I first got into graphic-design! I'll definitely do some reading up on Ubuntu and Linux in general.
Thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Glad I can help.
Unsure about alternatives on the others, some research into it should have some promising alternatives. Glad your familiar with GIMP!
Good luck I hope everything goes well.
Once again glad I can help.

surfer2.3 said:
Windows 7...Direct X.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Direct X is one of the worst things about Windows.
Sent from HTC G2

Android Dev: Linux vs. Mac vs. Windows

Experts, Developers, Fellow Gentlemen (& perhaps, some Lassey?),
PURPOSE:
To request, collect, organize, and clearly present 3 types of information related to BOTH android application development (for sale on the market) and ROM cooking (using scripts, kitchens, etc.).
INFO REQUESTED:
(1) Compare the relative the PROs and CONs of Android Dev. using:
Windows with Cygwin and Eclipse
Windows with a Linux VM (Eclipse installed on the VM)
Mac with Eclipse
Mac with a Linux VM (Eclipse installed on the VM)
Linux on bare metal (using Eclipse, of course, or the NDK)
(2) If you have used two or more of the above for Android Dev., please describe your experiences and insights, the primary differences, similarities, tips and pitfalls, etc.
(3) Given a fairly large budget to buy your own laptop for use in Android application development and ROM cooking, please RANK the above 5 choices in order from your 1st (best and most desirable) choice to your 5th (last and least desirable) configuration.
Best Regards,
Paul

Honestly your best bet if you want to do android ROM development, and not developing apks, then your best bet is to dual boot your laptop with widows and ubuntu. I thouhgt that you were wanting to develop apks, since you mentioned the SDK and eclipse, that is really more for app development, rather than ROMS and android open source it self.
The reason for ubuntu is that all the of utilities all work with ubuntu, they can work with other distros, but ubuntu seems to be the one most flock to.
The reason not to use a VM is because it can have issues connecting to the USB connection with your phone attached.
Mac will work, if you really want to go down that path, but it is more cumbersome to get things to work "well" as BSD is the underlying kernel, but you have to install an Xwindows environment to use most of the Android utilities, and that can be a pain to get working for someone not really experienced with linux AND OS X.
Windows with cygwin is a possibility, but again, more of a pain that just dual booting ubuntu.

+1 for dualboot
I'm definitely not a developer but I do know PC's. Jim's right you won't get any odd b.s. if you partition and install Ubuntu.

For the small amount of rom tweaking/developing I have done I use windows with cygwin. With baksmali and smali for decompiling dex files.
Sent from my MB865 using xda premium

Me too. I get by with Windows7 and Cygwin...
I know that I will eventually have to at least set up dual-boot with Ubuntu if I want to get involved in "real" development (even that would freak out my wife though - having options at boot on our shared family computer... gonna need a separate dev machine I guess)
Sent from my mind using XDA

I have worked through both windows and linux (ubuntu mostly), and I can give you some info about macs too, but I don't have actual experience there.
Windows
Pros:
More software for things other than android development, so if you want just one OS it may be the way to go.
If you are familiar with it already, it will make your life easier as you won't have to learn about a new OS.
Not much more really.
Cons:
most developers use linux, so you will be a bit alone i the android dev world meaning possible less support.
Not as well supported officially or not.
Overall:
Windows will probably be just fine for app development, as the sdk and eclipse both run fine.
You will have trouble with rom development. Android is based on the linux kernel, so it does not play well with windows.
You can use Cygwin, but you will have mixed results. It is not perfect. Some things just won't work unless you have linux, and quite honestly it is probably easier to get ubuntu working right.
Ubuntu
Pros:
It's FREE!!!!!
most official support
It's what most devs use, so unofficial support is good
Most utilities are built for it.
Cons:
Can be tough to learn if you are used to windows
not as many apps for other things, but that is getting better.
Over all:
By far the best for development. you are just gonna be better off in general. your best bet is to dual boot, which is really easy, and you can always use windows when you want. A virtual machine is an option, but you will have issues with certain things, like usb support. A VM will also require more cpu power to do everything so it is not a good idea on low power machines.
Hardware
Linux is much lighter than windows, so a low power computer will be better off with it.
You should be fine with anything that is not total crap for app development. Basic rom development should be fine in the mid to low end. If you are getting into more serious stuff like building up android source you will want some serious power. I have 4GB or ram and an intel i3 processor (2.13 gHZ dual core 4 thread) and that barely cuts it. compiling cm7 takes a couple hours and it runs at 100% cpu usage the whole time and gets hotter than hell.
You will need a pretty big hard drive for some stuff. The AOSP source is huge. all my android stuff takes about 28GB.
Over all
your best bet is to dual boot windows and Ubuntu Linux on at least a decent PC. you will be happier with something with a slightly higher end CPU.

I use 64-bit Ubuntu, it's just so much better and everything just runs natively! I mean some of those kitchens and tools are only for windows, but it doesn't really bother me because I dont use them
If you want to learn to write code, get ubuntu and jump head first into it.