Best Laptops For Programming – A Complete Guide 2020
- Khabri Mausi
- Mar 9, 2018
- 13 min read
Here’s my definitive buyers guide for laptops that are just perfect for programmers and coders of all levels
Programming can be a lot of fun, but you’ll need a laptop that is designed for your craft. I’m not what you call an expert “programmer” or “coder” as such, but I do know a fair bit of PHP, HTML and CSS. I find that having the right laptop to “code” on, speeds up tasks and processes, which in turn increases productivity.
Personally I use an Alienware AW17R4-7005SLV-PUS 17″ Laptop as it ticks all the boxes for me.
I love gaming, building websites and creating infographics. This laptop allows me to do all those things with ease. A laptop for all uses really. And it look so sleek!
For optimal results, you’ll want to consider a laptop that has a great combination of execution, performance and power.
The problem is that there are hundreds of different laptops to choose from, and although many of them will allow you to code applications, they might not be the best options for your needs.
If you’re on a budget, you might find that it’s especially difficult to find the best laptop for programming. To find a laptop that is ideal for your programming needs as a web developer, you must know what to look for.
What to Look For In A Laptop For Programming
One of the first components that you must consider is the hard drive. Many modern laptops are equipped with an SSD drive, which is also known as a solid-state drive. In terms of performance, an SSD is much better than a standard hard drive because it’s much better at accessing stored information.
For programming, you’ll want to consider getting a 256GB SSD, but you can also get good results from a 1TB standard drive. When you’re trying to program an application, speed is extremely important. You’ll spend a lot of time sifting through various files and folders.
Since a SSD can access information very efficiently, you won’t have to spend too much time waiting for files to load. Due to the increase in speed, it’s almost always better to choose a smaller SSD over a larger standard drive.
Whenever you click to open a file on your computer, the hard drive must sift through millions of data bits, which is why it takes a few seconds to load. An SSD stores information much more efficiently than a standard drive, so it’s able to access the information quickly.
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Memory or RAM
A computer’s memory can be thought of as an extension of its hard drive. The memory is very important because it stores the information that your computer needs to function. When programming, memory is important because all applications use memory to store operating instructions.
Once you’ve finished writing some code, you’ll need to execute the code as a program, and your computer uses RAM to store the directions that tell the program what it should do. You can think of memory like a bucket, and it’s used to hold the instructions for your software programs.
Memory is also important because it allows you to run several different programs at the same time, and when you have enough memory, the programs will run smoothly.
A suitable amount of memory for a programming laptop is about 8GB, but ideally, you should consider getting a model that comes with 16GBs of memory.
You must also realize that there are different types of RAM. For example, DDR4 RAM operates as a higher frequency, so it’s much faster than DDR1 RAM. A higher number yields faster speeds.
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Processing Power
When shopping for the best laptop for programming, you must understand that the CPU is extremely important. Like the brain inside of your head, the CPU handles every aspect of functioning that your computer engages in. The processor is like the brain for your computer.
The CPU is responsible for handling millions of bits of information, and if your laptop doesn’t have a good CPU, the other components are almost useless. The power of a CPU is measured in Gigahertz, but a higher number doesn’t equate to a better processor.
A newer processor might have a lower speed in Gigahertz than an older processor, but in terms of performance, it could be far superior. If you want the best possible programming experience, consider getting a laptop with an i5 or i7 processor.
All processors have cores, and the higher number of cores offers optimal speed and performance. If you don’t want an Intel processor, you can get a laptop that has a newer AMD processor.
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Comfort Features
When shopping for a laptop for programming, the specifications are very important, but many consumers don’t look beyond the specs.
The process of programming applications involves sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods of time, which is why comfort features are essential. The best laptop for coding should have built-in features for comfort.
The keys should be easy to press and comfortable, and the screen should be big enough to reduce eye strain. Programming can be difficult with a small screen because you’ll have trouble seeing what you’re doing.
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What About Graphics?
A graphics card is what your computer uses to handle games and graphics. For most programming purposes, the graphics card isn’t terribly important.
In fact, you should be able to get away with a low-end graphics card. Most of the newer CPUs, such as the i5 and i7 processors, come with integrated graphics, and although they’re not good for dedicated gaming, they should work well for programming purposes.
By going with integrated graphics, you can use the money that you’ll save to get a better processor, which is much more important for coding. If you must get a dedicated graphics card, consider something that has one or two Gigabytes of video memory.
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What About Battery Life?
To determine the importance of battery life, you’ll need to consider where you plan to use your laptop. Many programmers find that they’re able to focus better when working in quiet, serene environments. For example, you might be able to perform your best work on a quiet park bench.
If you’re going to spend most of your time near an electrical outlet, then battery life shouldn’t be a priority. However, if you think you’ll spend a lot of time programming away from a standard power source, then a laptop with longer battery life is worth considering.
Shopping for the best laptop for programming should be a fun experience, and by compiling a list of some of the top products, we hope to make your life easier. Below, you’ll find a table and reviews for some of the best laptops for coding and programming. LaptopImageFeaturesRating/Price Jamie's Best Choice LaptopHP 2017 15.6" Full-HD IPS UWVA Laptop
Intel i7-7500U processor 16GB of RAM, 1TB HDD 4GB AMD Radeon R7 M440 and Intel integrated HD 520 graphics4.1 out of 5 Stars $$ High-end LaptopsDell Latitude E7470 Business Ultrabook
Intel Core 6th Generation i506300U processor 8GB of DDR4 memory, 256GB SSD and Intel HD graphics4.0 out of 5 Stars $$$ Apple MacBook Pro MF839LL/A
2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 processor 8GB of DDR3L RAM, 128GB of PCIE flash storage and Intel Iris graphics 13.3-inch IPS Retina display4.6 out of 5 Stars $$$$$ ASUS K501UW-AB78 15.6-inch Full-HD Gaming Laptop
Intel Core i7-6500U processor 15.6-inch display NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M Graphics, 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD 4.1 out of 5 Stars $$$$$ Mid-range LaptopsLenovo Yoga 710 15.6’’ Laptop ( Ideal For Python Developers )
15.6-inch display 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7200U processor 256GB SSD, 8GB of DDR4 SDRAM and Intel HD graphics 6203.0 out of 5 Stars $$$$ ASUS Q304UA 13.3-inch 2-in-1 Touchscreen Full HD Laptop
Intel Core i5-7200U processor Intel HD graphics 520, 6GB of DDR3L SDRAM and 1TB HDD 13.3-inch full HD display3.0 out of 5 Stars $$$ 2018 Dell 15 3000 Touchscreen Laptop
15.6-inch Backlit Touchscreen display Intel Core i3-7100U processor 16GB of DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD and Intel HD 620 graphics5.0 out of 5 Stars $$$ Cheap LaptopsHP 14-an013nr 14-Inch Notebook
14-inch full HD display AMD E2-7110 1.8Ghz processor 4GB DDR3L SDRAM, 32GB eMMC Flash Storage3.8 out of 5 Stars $$ Acer Chromebook CB3-131-C3SZ
Intel Celeron N2840 2.16GHz processor 2GB of DDR3L SDRAM, 16GB SSD and Intel HD graphics4.1 out of 5 Stars $ Acer Aspire ES 15
Intel Core i3-6100U processor 4GB of DDR3L RAM and 1TB HDD Battery delivers 6.5 hours of runtime3.9 out of 5 Stars $$ Apple LaptopsApple MMGF2LL/A MacBook Air 13.3-Inch Laptop
1.6GHz Intel Core i5 processor 8GB of RAM, 128 GB Flash Storage and Intel HD 6000 graphics4.6 out of 5 Stars $$$$ Apple A1181 MacBook 13.3 Laptop
Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz processor 2GB of RAM, 160GB hard drive 13.3-inch display3.5 out of 5 Stars $
Jamie’s Best Choice Laptop – Here’s my pick of the best laptops for coding:
Dell’s XPS laptop gives you a nice, large 15.6-inch screen to view your work on. This is an ultra-high definition, 4K touchscreen by NfinityEdge. The touchscreen can help to make certain tasks faster and more convenient. The Intel Quad-Core i5-8300H Processor makes this unit suitable for programming, multi-media use and even modern gaming. It’s truly a do-it-all machine for work or play.
The XPS features a 720p webcam and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics card. The card should be able to handle the latest game software in addition to tackling your standard programming duties. You also get a 512 GB hard-drive and 16GB of DDR4 memory. The i5 Processor can tackle speeds of 2.3GHz up to 4.0GHz.
At right about 4 pounds, the XPS is one of the heavier units on our list, but still light enough to be easily carried. Like most of the previous units, this laptop offers a backlit keyboard for easy use in low lighting conditions.
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High-end Laptops Ideal for Programmers / Coders
Below I’ve found a selection of laptops that are spot on when it comes to programming and coding. A good processor and decent RAM is vital for those who want to code their own websites, apps and software. Have a look and see what you think.
The Gigabyte AERO comes sporting a large, 15-inch display. It offers a long-life battery that’s rated for up to 8 hours of use. This makes all-night programming sessions possible without the need to plug into an outlet or break for a recharge. A backlit keyboard makes it easy to work in the dark while the anti-glare screen makes it possible to work outdoors in the bright sunlight. The keyboard is also programmable so you can allocate specific tasks to a single hotkey and set up things to your liking.
An NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card gives you high-quality visuals. If you’re creating a game or visual-intensive software, then this can help you to better view and test your work. You get 32 GB of RAM from a Samsung DRAM module and 2.9 Ghz to 4.8 GHz of processing speed with the installed Intel Core i9 Processor.
This laptop features a sophisticated AI that makes sure all processes and components are running optimized for efficiency. If you like to multi-task or maybe even enjoy some gaming or multi-media entertainment between work sessions, the Gigabyte Aero is a pretty good choice.
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If you’re not on a tight budget, then the Dell Latitude E7470 laptop is one of the best products available. Since it’s a high-end laptop for programming, it comes with an Intel Core 6th Generation i506300U processor.
With two cores, the CPU is designed to handle programming tasks and can operate up to 3.0 GHz. The Dell Latitude E7470 has a 14-inch screen, which is large enough to reduce eye strain and squinting. The screen displays whatever you’re working on in full HD and comes with anti-glare LCD technology.
It even has an integrated microphone and webcam. With 8GB of DDR4 memory, the Dell Latitude E7470 runs applications smoothly and delivers an excellent experience for programmers. The 256GB SSD retrieves information quickly, which is important for coding.
The built-in keyboard is designed for comfort, and it’s especially useful for the long hours needed to program software applications. Since it has integrated Intel HD graphics, the Dell Latitude E7470 isn’t ideal for gaming, but it’s one of the best products for programmers and coders.
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Apple is one of the most well-known companies in the world, and some consumers prefer Apple products over the alternative. The Apple MacBook Pro MF839LL/A is another top laptop for programming.
The 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 processor delivers superior performance, and it offers a turbo speed up to 3.1 GHz. It has a 3MB shared L3 cache and has no trouble computing millions of instructions. It comes with 8GB of DDR3L RAM, which is important for multitasking.
It has 128GB of PCIE flash storage, so it’s able to load files very efficiently. Since programming involves the constant opening of files and folders, an efficient storage device will make your life much easier.
The Apple MacBook Pro MF839LL/A features a 13.3-inch IPS Retina display, and the screen resolution is 2560×1600. It has Intel Iris graphics and offers up to nine hours of battery life. With such high-end components, this laptop is one of the best products for coders and programmers.
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Since they tend to be optimized for performance, gaming laptops double as some of the best options for programming. At the heart of the ASUS K501UW-AB78, an Intel Core i7-6500U processor handles millions of computations.
It has a base clock speed of 2.5GHz, but once the turbo boost kicks in, the base clock speed can run up to 3.1GHz. For easier programming, this laptop has a 15.6-inch display, which delivers full HD resolution.
It comes with the Windows 10 operating system, and the graphics are powered by an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M, which offers a staggering 8GB of dedicated video RAM.
The ASUS K501UW-AB78 has a 512GB SSD, so it can quickly store and retrieve important information, and it offers some of the fastest Wi-Fi available. Although it’s quite expensive, the ASUS K501UW-AB78 is one of the best high-end laptops for coders.
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Microsoft’s Surface Pro 6 comes with an Intel Core i7 Processor installed. Generally speaking, you will want at least a Core i% processor to handle programming and coding tasks. Windows 10 Home edition is also installed, which should meet the needs of any programmer. The battery life is rated for up to 13.5 hours of continuous video playback.
The Surface Pro 6 provides 512 GB of storage space for all of your projects. The 16 GB of RAM ensure that everything runs quickly and smoothly. The slim design makes the Surface Pro 6 easy to transport while the 12.3-inch screen is easy on the eyes as you work. The weight of this unit comes in at a light 1.76 pounds.
One of the nice things about the Surface Pro 6 is its versatility. This is thanks to the unique design that allows switching from laptop to tablet mode in seconds. There is even a studio mode where you can prop up the screen surface with a kickstand and use a Surface Pen for drawing or writing. This is a computer that can adapt to you and your specific needs.
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Outfitted with an Intel Core i7 Processor, this slim laptop has the speed to suit the needs of most programmers. This processor has a base rating of 1.9 GHz. You also get 16 GB of DDR3 SDRAM and a solid-state hard-drive with 512 GB of storage space. The screen size is approximately 14 inches with a max resolution of 2560 x 1440 pixels. All of the major requirements for programming are met in this lightweight, affordable unit.
The average battery life on a single charge comes in at around 6 hours. This should suffice for most programming jobs, but of course you can also leave it plugged into an outlet if needed. The operating system here is Windows 10 Pro, which gives you a few more perks that are missing from the Home version found on many laptops in this category. The ThinkPad uses integrated graphics by Intel, but they should be more than adequate for the professional programmer.
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Mid-range Laptops Ideal for Programmers
If you’re looking for a new laptop for programming, it doesn’t get much better than the HP Envy. This is an extra-slim, lightweight model with a 13-inch screen. The Envy has an overall weight of just under 3 pounds. This makes the computer easy to take with you to the office or virtually anywhere. If you like to get some coding done while on the go, this is a great model to own.
The Envy comes equipped with a 16 GB solid-state drive. A solid-state drive, or SSD, is ideal for programmers. This type of drive tends to perform better than standard drives when it comes to quick retrieval of information. This laptop comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8565U, Dual Core Processor for super fast speeds of up to 4.6 GHZ. You’ll be able to get a lot of work done and increase your productivity as the processor speeds up every task you take on.
Along with the impressive processing power, you also get plenty of memory with 16 GB of DDR4-2400 SDRAM. Your programming work should run smoothly even if you work on multiple tasks at the same time. This a solidly built laptop with a metal case. The backlit keyboard and 4K screen resolution ensure you always have a great view of your work in process.
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Here we have a popular mid-range laptop for coders. It has a 15.6-inch display, which features touchscreen technology. The display is backlit with LED lighting and helps to reduce eye strain. This laptop features IPS technology and can be flipped and folded.
For easier programming in low-light conditions, it has a backlit keyboard. To give you maximum performance, the Lenovo Yoga 710 comes with a 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7200U processor, which operates at 2.5Ghz.
With the turbo boost feature, the processor can reach a clock speed of 3.1GHz. This laptop comes with 8GB of DDR4 SDRAM, and the RAM can be expanded to 16GB.
The Lenovo Yoga 710 comes with a 256GB Solid-State Drive and Intel HD graphics 620. With a four-cell lithium polymer battery, it delivers on average an impressive eight hours of battery life. Despite the name, this laptop has nothing to do with yoga and offers plenty of mid-range performance for programming and coding.
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The ASUS Q304UA is another mid-range laptop, and it features an Intel Core i5-7200U processor, which uses two cores to deliver more processing power. The CPU’s base clock speed is 2.3Ghz, but it can turbo boost up to 3.1Ghz.
With Intel HD graphics 520, you won’t be doing any serious gaming with the ASUS Q304UA, but you can enjoy countless hours of smooth programming. It has a 13.3-inch full HD display, which features LED backlighting. For greater convenience, this laptop features a flip-and-fold design.
To make managing several different applications smoother, the ASUS Q304UA comes with 6GB of DDR3L SDRAM memory, and you always have the option to expand the memory to 12 Gigabytes.
A 1TB ATA hard drive offers plenty of room for files, so you’ll have no trouble storing and retrieving your biggest programming folders. Overall, the ASUS Q304UA is one of the best mid-range laptops for programming.
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The 2018 Dell 15 3000 Touchscreen is another mid-range laptop, and it offers several features that programmers will find useful. With a 15.6-inch backlit touchscreen LED display, it delivers HD resolution. You can enjoy popular applications in 720p, and it comes with Bluetooth, HDMI, MaxxAudio, webcam and Ethernet.
For fast, effective coding, the Dell 15 3000 gives you an Intel Core i3-7100U processor, which has a base clock speed of 2.4Ghz. The CPU is designed with enough performance for programming, and it comes with integrated Intel HD 620 graphics.
It has 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 256GB SSD drive gives you plenty of lightning fast storage capacity for large files. This laptop comes with the 64-bit version of Windows 10, and it should support your favorite programming software applications.
There are both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports, as well as HDMI, card reader and audio jack. A great all rounder in terms of connectivity options.
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Cheap Laptops Ideal for Programmers
If you’re on a tight budget and need a cheap laptop for programming, then consider the HP 14-an013nr. It doesn’t come with the bells and whistles that you’d get from a high-end computer, but it offers enough performance for programming.
The HP 14-an013nr features a 14-inch full HD display, which is important for coding. It uses an AMD E2-7110 1.8Ghz processor to compute millions of instructions. Since the processor has four different cores, it’s able to process computations much faster than single-core processors.
This laptop comes equipped with 4GB DDR3L SDRAM memory, so it can crunch complex computing instructions and keep your programming experience enjoyable. With the new Windows 10, the HP 14-an013nr allows you to bring your ideas to life.
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The Acer CB3-131-C3SZ can work well for light programming and coding. Since it’s equipped with an Intel Celeron N2840 2.16GHz processor, it’s not the fastest laptop on the market, but it can be used for basic programming.
It comes with 2GB of DDR3L SDRAM, which is enough for many applications. One of this laptop’s greatest features is the 16GB Solid-State Drive. Since an SSD allows you to store and retrieve information much more quickly than a standard hard drive, it’s ideal for coding and programming.
This laptop has an 11.6-inch HD screen and delivers Intel HD graphics. Since its components aren’t terribly strong, the Acer Chromebook CB3-131-C3SZ can run for nine hours on a single battery charge. It features wireless connectivity and offers component that are suitable for basic programming purposes.
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In terms of price, the Acer Aspire ES 15 is a cheaper laptop, but it’s good enough for basic coding. Although it’s not equipped with the newest Intel processors, it comes with a powerful Intel Core i3-6100U CPU, which has a base clock speed of 2.3GHz.
The process is one of this laptop’s best features, and it’s capable of handling intense computations associated with programming. To prevent eye fatigue and give you productive coding sessions, this laptop is built with a 15.6-inch HD display.
The screen features CineCrystal technology and LED backlighting. To ensure smooth application performance and multitasking, the Acer Aspire ES 15 has 4GB of DDR3L memory.
With a 1TB hard drive, it gives you plenty of storage space for your programing and coding files. The battery delivers 6.5 hours of runtime, and the Windows 10 operating system helps to improve workflow and increase productivity.
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Apple Laptops Ideal for Programmers
The Apple MMGF2LL/A is one of the best Apple laptops for coding. It comes equipped with a 1.6GHz Intel Core i5 processor, which features Turbo Boost technology. When an application requires a boost in processing power, the Intel Core i5 CPU can turbo boost up to 2.7GHz.
The fast processor is excellent for programming, but the Apple MMGF2LL/A also offers plenty of RAM. It comes with 8GB of RAM and allows you to run several applications at once.
When coding software applications, RAM is important because it stores the computational instructions that the software needs to function correctly. This laptop has great memory and processing power, but it’s also easy on the eyes.
It features a 13.3-inch display that is illuminated by LED backlighting. The 1440×900 resolution gives you plenty of screen real estate to code complex applications and prevents the need to constantly scroll. It has Intel HD 6000 graphics and can run for 12 hours on a full battery charge.
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Apple A1181 MacBook 13.3 Laptop ( Ideal for PHP / HTML developers )
The Apple A1181 is another popular Apple product, and it can be very useful for programmers and coders. With an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz processor, it can handle complex computing instructions.
The CPU is fast enough for most types of programming, so it won’t become a bottleneck in performance. The Apple A1181 has a 13.3-inch display and makes it easy to see everything on the screen.
To keep your applications running smoothly, this laptop features 2GB of RAM, and for reasonable storage space, it has a 160GB hard drive. It’s one of the cheapest Apple laptops available, and although it doesn’t offer the best performance, it’s great for consumers who’re on a budget.
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Conclusion
Programming can be a very rewarding experience, but without a suitable laptop, it can quickly become a very frustrating experience.
You don’t need thousands of dollars to get the best laptop for coding, but if you have plenty of money to spend, we’ve listed several great products to consider.
Most types of programming don’t require extremely powerful performance, so you can make it work with a cheaper laptop and spend the leftover money on a comfortable chair and desk.
Any of the laptops from this list will work well for programming, and at the end of the day, the product that you choose depends on the amount of money that you can spend.
For people wanting a laptop that’s a bit more portable and multipurpose, have a look at my best 2 in 1 laptops guide.
All the best with your search…
Jamie
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