9 Best Laptops for Programming Are you looking for a laptop for a programmer or a web designer? You are at the right place. To help you, I have put together a list of the best laptops for programming that you can get.
The different choices are ideal for working on additional software like JavaScript, Python, HTML/CSS, PHP, etc.
Since programmers and web designers need a laptop with powerful specifications that can help them write code, compile it, and test it without facing any problems of speed delays. So, to help you out.
The plethora of available laptops can make it very challenging to pick on yourself. We have narrowed our list to make it easy, focusing only on the top 9 best laptops for programming.
Table of Contents
9 Best Laptops for Programming
Here are the top 9 Best Laptops for Programming that you can get. Each laptop is powerful to handle the heavy-duty work requirements of a programmer and a developer. So, without waiting any longer, let us have a look at each laptop in detail.
1 – MSI WS75 10TK-468 Mobile Workstation
The MSI WS75 is an ideal laptop for a gamer developer, a programmer, or a web designer. This power-packed device can run all kinds of heavy-duty coding, compiling, and testing tasks that come along its way.
It runs on an Intel Core i9-10980HK processor having a turbo frequency of about 5.3GHz. Besides, it comes with an NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000 graphics card that promises impeccable graphical quality and has a dedicated memory of 6GB.
All the specifications combined ensure that the laptop delivers seamless performance every time.
Moreover, it features 32GB DDR4 RAM combined with 1TB NVMe SSD storage. Even when running and working on heavy-duty game development software, you won’t find any glitches or speed delay problems.
In addition, the 17.3″ FHD display with a screen resolution of 1920x1080p will give you an unmatchable visual performance.
At the same time, the 17-inch display screen has enough room to let you work on complex codes with ease. Besides, the TRUE PIXEL technology integrated into the display screen offers total color accuracy.
The dedicated num pad and backlit keyboard further enhance the functionality of the MSI WS75 laptop. Besides, the wide trackpad and fingerprint reader ensure a smooth work experience. The wide variety of connectivity options comes with a complete set of high-performance ports.
The 7 hours of battery backup may not look too much. But, it offers a decent runtime to keep your workflow going.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Core i9-10980HK
- RAM: 32GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Keyboard: Backlit
- GPU: NVIDIA Quadro RTX 3000
- Display: 17.3″ FHD 1920x1080p
- Battery Life: Up to 7 hours
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Pros
- Sleek chassis.
- Lightweight and portable body.
- Ergonomic keyboard.
- Impeccable performance.
Cons
- The display doesn’t support 4k resolution.
- Standard audio quality.
2 – Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Pro chip
The Apple MacBook Pro is the ideal pick of laptop for programming to keep your creative juices flowing. What makes it stand out from other laptop choices is its outstanding M1 Pro Processor.
At the same time, the ten-core processing speed raised the bar of the overall processing performance of laptops.
8TB lightning-fast storage adds to the mind-blowing performance of the laptop. In addition, the 32-core GPU along with 64 GB RAM allows you to have a seamless workflow.
So, if you are a programmer looking for a laptop without making any compromises on its performance, then the Apple MacBook Pro is just what you need.
It comes with a stunning 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display that feels like a treat to our eyes, having about 1600 nits of peak brightness. Also, the 17 hours of battery backup is yet another feature, especially for programmers who are always on the go.
Specifications
- Processor: Apple M1 Pro chip 8-core – M1 Max 10-core
- RAM: 64GB
- Storage: Up to 8TB
- Keyboard: Backlit
- GPU: Integrated 14-core – 32-core GPU
- Display: 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
- Battery Life: Up to 17 hours
- Operating System: Mac OS
Pros
- Longest battery runtime.
- Spacious and ergonomic keyboard.
- Outstanding audio performance.
- Most impressive processing performance.
Cons
- The screen size is not very big.
3 – HP Spectre X360 UHD Touch-Screen
The HP Spectre X360 is undoubtedly one of the most powerful laptops in the HP Spectre series. It comes with a super sleek aluminum construction along with some mind-blowing specifications.
This latest touch version is also appropriate for programmers.
This super attractive laptop runs on a 10th Gen Intel i7-10510U Quad-Core processor that handles even the most complicated compiling tasks that seem like a breeze. Besides, you won’t face any speed delays even when working on multiple tabs during web designing.
This is also because of the 16GB RAM and 512 GB storage space. You can also get about 32GB Intel Optane of internal storage in the laptop.
Moreover, the NVIDIA GeForce MX330 graphics card may allow only entry-level gaming. But, it handles VR-related tasks way better than any laptop in the same league. Besides, the 15.6″ Diagonal 4K UHD WLED Touch Display with a screen resolution of 3840 x 2160p will undoubtedly surprise you with its stunning visuals and excellent color accuracy.
Though the 15.6-inch display size may not seem too big, it has enough area to give you a comfortable viewing experience during programming.
The winning feature for me of the laptop is its keyboard. It is not more than a dream come true for programmers as it comes with adequate spacing between keys for comfortable typing. Besides, the number pad sizing is also very appropriate, and it clicks well without being too over the top.
The long 13.5 hours of battery run time makes the HP Spectre X360 an ideal pick for programs that travel frequently.
Specifications
- Processor: 10th Gen Intel i7-10510U Quad-Core
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD + 32GB Intel Optane
- Keyboard: Backlit
- GPU: GeForce MX330
- Display: 15.6 Inch 4K UHD Touch-Screen 3840 x 2160p
- Battery Life: up to 13.5 Hours
- Operating System: Windows 10
Pros
- Smooth performance.
- Excellent typing experience.
- Highly responsive touch screen.
- Amazing battery runtime.
Cons
- The display feels a little dim.
- Pretty standard audio performance.
4 – Lenovo Think book 14s Ultrabook
You will surely love the Lenovo Think book 14s laptop if you use Linux for programming. The laptop features an Intel Quad-Core i5-8265U powerhouse of a processor.
It comes equipped to handle all the processing demands during programming and ensures seamless working on IDEs or handling data sets.
Whereas the dedicated AMD Radeon 540X graphics card gives the laptop the right boost in its graphical performance, allowing it to work on Business Intelligence interfaces and different graphic-intensive games.
Besides, the 256GB storage space is more than sufficient to run various computations and simulations seamlessly with a boost from the 16GB DDR4 RAM.
Moreover, the 14inch FHD IPS Anti Glare display has a screen resolution of 1920x1080p and comes with narrow bezels to allow narrow viewing angles for stunning visual quality.
Another fantastic thing about the Lenovo Think book 14s is its 180-degree hinge design, further enhancing its functionality. You can quickly transform this laptop into a tablet.
The laptop has a classic aluminum construction and a keyboard with sufficient spacing between its keys. Though it lacks a num keypad, the keyboard’s super comfortable typing experience makes up for it. You get about 11 hours of battery runtime on a single charge, which is pretty decent.
Overall, the Lenovo Think book 14s is an outstanding laptop and an ideal choice of the best laptop for programming at an affordable price.
Specifications
- Processor: Intel Quad-Core i5-8265U
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 256GB NVMe-PCIe
- Keyboard: Backlit
- GPU: AMD Radeon 540X
- Display: 14” FHD 1920x1080p IPS Anti-Glare
- Battery Life: up to 10 hours
- Operating System: Linux
Pros
- Thin and lightweight, easy to carry the body.
- Best value for money.
- It includes a camera shutter for privacy.
- 180-degree hinge design.
Cons
- It lacks LAN connectivity.
- There is no num keypad.
5 – HP Pavilion 15 Laptop
The HP Pavilion 15 Laptop is yet another pick of the best laptops for programming that comes at a very reasonable price range. It runs on an 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 powerful processor with an integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics card for top-notch performance.
Along with 16 GB RAM and storage space of about 515 GB. Combined, all these specifications give the laptop enough power to handle heavy-duty coding, compiling, and testing programming tasks.
The brightness of this laptop is impressive, as you can efficiently work even in the darkest environment with a comfortable view that doesn’t strain your eyes.
In addition, the 15.6 inches Full HD IPS micro-edge Display comes with a promise of exceptional visuals. You get to enjoy working with amazing super-crisp visuals.
The 8 hours of battery runtime with fast charging option that goes from zero to a hundred in just forty minutes is good enough for those programmers who love working beyond their regular workspace.
Besides, the best thing about the HP Pavilion 15 Laptop is that you can also work on app development and software for mobile devices on this laptop.
In addition, the HP Pavilion 15 Laptop comes with an ergonomic keyboard to further add to the functionality.
Though this laptop comes at an affordable price range, you won’t be disappointed with the features and specifications.
Specifications
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 515 GB
- Keyboard: Nonbacklit
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 15.6 inches Full HD IPS micro-edge Display
- Battery Life: up to 8 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Pro
Pros
- Fast charging.
- Impressive visuals.
- Versatile connectivity options
- Slim and stylish construction.
Cons
- It doesn’t have a touch display.
- It doesn’t have a backlit keyboard.
6 – Dell Business Laptop Latitude 3520
The Dell Business Laptop Latitude 3520 comes with the right mix of features and specifications at a very reasonable price.
It is run on a powerful 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor and 16GB RAM. You can use the Dell Business Laptop Latitude 3520 for working on hardcore programming tasks.
In addition, the Intel Iris Xe graphics card is also appropriate for handling basic gaming and photo editing tasks. Combined with a 512GB storage space, it ensures uninterrupted processing performance to manage all kinds of coding, compiling, and web designing tasks.
The 15.6-inch diagonal FHD anti-glare display has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080p to ensure crystal clear visuals to work on graphics.
Super light in weight, the laptop comes with an elegant silver chassis, perfect for programmers and IT professionals.
The Dell Business Laptop Latitude 3520 is yet another choice of best laptops for programmers that has sufficient power to handle all kinds of tasks that come your way.
The keyboard of this laptop is ideal for programmers as it offers an extraordinarily comfortable typing experience with maximum convenience.
You will find ample connectivity options in the Dell Business Laptop Latitude 3520 to connect all your external devices.
Specifications
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Keyboard: Nonbacklit
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 15.6-inch diagonal FHD 1920 x 1080p Anti-Glare Display
- Battery Life: up to 10 hours
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Pros
- Quick charging option.
- Upgradability options.
- Great battery runtime.
Cons
- It doesn’t have a touchscreen.
- Normal display quality.
7 – Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9
If you don’t mind investing in a laptop for programming, then the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 is perfect. It comes equipped with the latest 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7 processor that gives you unmatchable processing performance for all your coding needs.
It comes with a 2.80 GHz base clock speed and a Turbo Boost up to 4.70 GHz. Besides, the 16 GB RAM and 1 TB of storage space boost the overall functionality of the laptop.
Since the laptop comes with multiple expandable memory options for more customization and convenience.
Furthermore, it comes with an excellent battery backup of about 16.7 hours that allows you to work non-stop anywhere and everywhere.
It is wrong to say that the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 laptop is one of the best laptops you can get for programmers and gives an extraordinary performance.
The sizeable 14-inch FHD Ultrabook IPS display has a screen resolution of 1920 x 1200p. Besides, the laptop has several connectivity options.
You can even attach multiple display screens for working on coding programs. The lightweight body of the laptop easily fits anywhere and is super easy to carry around.
Specifications
- Processor: 11th Generation Intel Core i7-1165G7
- RAM: 16 GB
- Storage: 1 TB
- Keyboard: Backlit
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 14″ FHD+ Ultrabook IPS display
- Battery Life: Up to 16.7 hours
- Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Pros
- Comfortable keyboard.
- Robust construction.
- It comes with a Stylus.
- Increased functionality with touchscreen.
Cons
- Fans are a little noisy.
- Standard webcam quality.
8 – Microsoft Surface Laptop
Microsoft Surface Laptop is the most versatile laptop that you can get for programming. You can use it for writing, drawing, sketching, and programming tasks.
This all-around laptop quickly transforms into a tablet for enhanced functionality.
Ultra-light in weight, the Microsoft Surface Laptop is yet another top-notch laptop that comes with a Quad-core powered 11th Gen Intel Core H Series processor, 16GB RAM, and a storage space of 256GB. Furthermore, you can expect exceptional graphics from this laptop with a dedicated Intel Iris Xe graphics card.
Its impressive 14-inch display with a screen resolution of 2,400 x 1,600p. Though it may not be as sharp as a 4k display, it gives a pretty close graphical performance.
Be it high-end gaming or when coding and compiling programs, you won’t find any lags in its speed or performance.
Another amazing this about this laptop is its excellent battery backup of 18 hours. You can work on its type surface keyboard or transform it for using it in tablet mode.
No matter whichever method you choose to work on, you may never find the Microsoft Surface Laptop lacking.
Specifications
- Processor: Quad-core powered 11th Gen Intel Core H Series
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB
- Keyboard: Microsoft Designer Compact Keyboard
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 14.4″ Touchscreen
- Battery Life: up to 18 hours
- Operating System: Windows 11 Home
Pros
- All-round use.
- Innovative pull-out keyboard.
- Digital stylus support.
- Stunning Pixel sense display.
Cons
- Thick bezels.
- It lacks USB connectivity options.
9 – ASUS VivoBook S15 Laptop
The ASUS VivoBook S15 is undoubtedly one of the best multipurpose notebooks with powerful specifications for running any kind of coding and program compilation tasks. It comes with an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Quad-Core processor, 8GB RAM, and 512GB of storage space. All these specifications are ideal for multitasking.
In addition to the 512GB SSD storage, you get a 1TB HDD to fulfill all your storage needs. Besides, the dedicated Intel Iris Xe graphics card is perfect for running different programming software without any speed delays.
Furthermore, the stunning 15.6 inches Full HD NanoEdge bezel display features thin bezels and a screen-to-body ratio of 88%. The sizable display offers a comfortable and pleasant viewing experience. This laptop will enjoy a healthy selection of ports, allowing multiple connectivity options.
Specifications
- Processor: 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 Quad Core
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD and 1TB HDD
- Keyboard: Backlit
- GPU: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Display: 15.6 inches Full HD NanoEdge bezel display
- Battery Life: up to 8 hours
- Operating System: Windows 10 Home
Pros
- Includes dual storage.
- Amazing cooling system.
- Complete charging within 60 minutes.
- Solid construction.
Cons
- Normal webcam quality.
- Lacks USB ports for connectivity.
9 Best Laptops for Programming – Buying Guide
As a programmer, a developer, or a web designer, you cannot get just another laptop. There are a few essential factors that you need to keep under consideration before getting a laptop for yourself. To guide you and help you find the perfect laptop for you, we have listed a few crucial factors that you need to look out for.
Processor Power
The processing power of the laptop gets determined by its CPU. This is mainly because the compilation of codes is wholly dependent on the processor’s performance. It is undoubtedly a vital part of the laptop, especially for a programmer or a web designer.
The faster the processor, the better the laptop will handle any heavy-duty compiling task that comes its way. Make sure you invest with an i7 processor or higher. You can even get an i5 processor or AMD A8 with a clock speed of 3GHz or higher.
RAM
Along with powerful processing speed, your laptop should have sufficient RAM. Especially if you work on heavy-duty tasks requiring you to run IDE or a virtual environment, make sure that you get at least 4 GB of RAM.
The laptop should have at least 8GB of RAM for web development. If you are a Game Developer, then a RAM of 16 GB will be sufficient for you. Also, try getting s laptop that has expandable RAM options. In short, the greater the RAM, the better your laptop’s performance will be.
Storage Space
The higher the storage space, the better the laptop will perform. Faster speed offers much more convenience no matter the task you work on. Instead of HDD storage, always choose SSD storage. Comparatively, SSD storage is much faster and boots within seconds.
Keyboard
Since programming is all about typing codes, you need a comfortable keyboard. So, when getting a laptop for programming, always consider the one that comes with an ergonomic keyboard. Also, options such as backlights on the keyboard offer better convenience, primarily if you work in a dimly lit environment late at night.
Final Words
You need to consider so many considerations when getting a laptop for programming. These include a powerful processor, sizable RAM, sufficient storage space, an ergonomic keyboard, etc. If you don’t mind investing in a good laptop, you should surely get Apple MacBook Pro. But, on a limited budget, the HP Pavilion 15 Laptop is an ideal pick for programmers.
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