10 Best laptops for programming: (2023 Guide & Reviews)

Last Updated on January 17, 2023 by Sharon Advik

“Programming is about what you can figure out, not what you know,” Christopher Pine.

Programming is the process of writing and running a computer program to accomplish a particular computing result or finish a specific task.

Programmers or designers who work as developers require various laptop specifications depending on their field.

Programming laptops are the same as regular laptops.

High-end components like RAM, processor, graphic card memory, storage, and others set it apart.

Here, I’ve listed one of the best Laptops for Programming to help you choose the suitable machine for your needs:

Which are the best laptops for programming?

Here are my recommended top 10 best laptops for programming:-

MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021): (best laptops for programming students)

My friend is the head of a school.

He added new courses to his school, including programming, graphic design, and professional writing.

He knew that the younger generation needed to seek out these skills as technology advanced and the world became more digital.

He asked me to teach students programming to beginners and students because he knew I was a skilled programmer.

I enjoy doing it because it’s a lot of fun.

I first advise my students to purchase a high-quality laptop for this purpose and understand the value of an effective laptop for programmers.

I informed my students to buy this “MacBook Pro 16-inch (2021)” Laptop, which I have personally used and believe to be the best for students to learn to program.

Due to the ease of use.

It has a longer battery life, allowing students to practice and learn nonstop for endless hours.

Additionally, the Laptop’s processor is exceptionally smooth, preventing students from becoming frustrated while using it for coursework.

It is the best Laptop for programming for ease of use for students.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

This versatile Laptop’s SSD can hold precisely 512GB of data, it allows me to save my pictures, assignments, projects, and videos from high school and unlimited data, and I can keep more and more without running out of storage.

RAM/ ROM:

The segment I like the most about this Laptop is its 32 GB RAM.

Users like me are the ideal target market for the 32GB 2020 iPad because we primarily use it for in-depth research, Coding, the occasional casual game, streaming movies and music, and other activities (8th generation).

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

I chose this Laptop because it has a beautiful 18-hour battery life and a reliable, quick-responding wifi connection.

Like the fantastic 15-inch models, the 16-inch MacBook Pro has four highly built Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports.

Additionally, it has a beautiful headphone jack.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro has two Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports on either side.

Graphic chip/ Processor:

It features the Intel Core i9-9980HK and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M, which can perform single-precision floating-point operations at up to 4 teraflops.

Its gorgeous processor outperforms modern CPU speed and intelligence because of its increased multi-threading capability and improved power efficiency.

Conclusion:

Programmers, graphic designers, and artists who need a little more strength can easily find it here.

Apple has added a memory card slot and a great selection of ports, including HDMI.

I believe it firmly establishes this Laptop as the best programming laptop for students.

It is the best Laptop for students to use for programming.

Pros
  • Processor: Intel Core i9-9980HK
  • Screen Size: 16 inches
  • Boot Drive Type: SSD
  • Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
  • RAM (as Tested): 32 GB
  • Graphics Memory: 8 GB
  • Weight: 4.3 lbs
  • Wireless Networking: 802.11ac, Bluetooth
  • Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Pro 5500M
  • Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes): 18:40
Cons
  • USB-A port would be nice

Acer Aspire 5: (best laptops for programming under 500)

My friend was having some financial issues after paying his household bills, his Laptop got out of order, and he wanted to buy a new one as he still needed to work as a programmer and coder.

He felt a little short on money after paying his house bills.

In addition, I thought he was wasting too much cash on an ineffective laptop all this long.

I advised him to buy this “Acer Aspire 5” laptop because I thought it would be worthwhile and is the best Laptop for programming under 500.

Finding the right candidate took a long time, but this Dell XPS 13 9310 was it.

Thanks to its beautiful redesign, much faster Intel processor and Xe graphics, improved keyboard, and better battery life at this price, this Laptop has it all and is the best for the money.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

My Laptop’s gorgeous SSD is everything to a person.

Without it, the laptops wouldn’t operate as quickly as they do when you are not starring Windows’ blue ring of fire.

Losing your train of thought, you scratched your head and muttered, “Come on already. I don’t have all day.”

RAM/ ROM:

With its 16GB RAM and versatile ROM, this Laptop is everything a user demands.

16 GB is a great starting point for any user.

It makes me work like a professional, and with its 16 GB RAM, this Laptop is an expert in handling multiple jobs at once.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

I won’t need to bring a hub or adapter because the Aspire 5 has many ports.

It doesn’t scrimp with connectivity.

On the left corner of the Laptop are three USB 3.2 ports (one Type-C and two Type-A), an HDMI video output, and a small Ethernet jack.

Graphic chip/ Processor:

The Core i5-1235U and Intel Iris Xe Graphics on this Laptop are brilliant.

With a 4x4K HDR, viewers can simultaneously link up to four HDR displays and enjoy a new viewing experience of up to 8K.

They also obtain the most recent GPU technology for incredibly smooth streaming content, along with Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos 3D Sound.

Conclusion:

The Acer Aspire 5 is suitable for use as a programming laptop.

It is a sturdy, portable laptop with a battery life of almost seven hours when used lightly.

It can easily handle bearing notes and productivity work and quickly boots up and launches programs.

At such a price, it’s a great deal, and I believe it is the best Laptop for programming for under $500.

Pros
  • ProcessorIntel: Core i5-1235U
  • RAM (as Tested): 16 GB
  • Boot Drive Type: SSD
  • Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 512 GB
  • Graphics Processor: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
  • Battery Life (Hours: Minutes) 11:32
  • Bluetooth, 802.11ax (wifi 6)
Cons
  • The body is almost entirely made of plastic
  • The screen isn’t the most vibrant
  • Mushy keyboard

Razer Blade 17 (2022): (best laptops for programming and gaming)

Video games are a hobby of my younger brother.

Whenever I see him play games like “Resident Evil,” “Monster Hunter,” and other popular ones, I’m always astonished at his gaming prowess.

Despite my contentment for him, I was concerned about how much time he spent playing video games.

I wanted him to learn some skills since he’s already sixteen.

Because of this, I reasoned, “Why not also teach him some computer programming techniques?”

I got his consideration by promising him the best gaming laptop, the “Razer Blade 17 (2022),” in return for his agreement to learn Coding and programming.

On his Laptop, he could use this to play games.

To accept the offer, he was delighted.

His present from me was this Laptop.

Programming and gaming work very well on this Laptop.

The Razer Blade 17 (2022) is a cheap 17-inch gaming laptop with acceptable CPU performance thanks to its 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processor.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

The stunning SSD in this Laptop can store up to 500GB of data, or about 64,000 pictures, 1200 videos, and 400 applications.

Two SSD slots are provided in the base model, one of which is used by the boot drive.

RAM/ ROM:

It is the best Laptop for those who advise at least 16GB.

Especially for gamers, nothing can be better than this Laptop with its 16 GB of smooth RAM.

I suggest at least 4GB of RAM and believe that 8GB will be sufficient for most users.

If you’re a power user, run the most demanding games and applications of today, or just want to ensure you’re covered for any potential needs, choose 16GB or more.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

This Laptop is a “Spark” thanks to its wireless connectivity, Bluetooth, wifie 6E, and IEEE 802.11.

This Laptop has two Thunderbolt 4TM ports and three USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (USB 3.2 Gen 2) Nvidia GPU output over Type-C with Display Port 1.4 and Power Delivery.

Because it facilitates charging with 20V USB-C chargers with PD 3.0, up to 100 W, and HDMI 2.1 output, it is helpful for professionals.

Graphic chip/ Processor:

For a quick editing experience or animation work, its processor can process a large amount of data.

Its efficient processor’s ability makes this Laptop a great package to be used by programmers as I know they need something speedy and versatile like this Laptop’s processor.

Conclusion:

For effective programming, I advise the Razer Blade 17 (2022 version).

Programming is completed very quickly with the help of a mighty GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GPU and an Intel Core i7-12800H CPU, along with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB of PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD.

Here is the best Laptop for programming and gaming.

Pros
  • Graphics Processor: GeForce RTX™ 3060
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-12800H
  • Boot Drive Type: SSD
  • RAM (as Tested): 16 GB
  • Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB
  • Screen Size: 17.3″ display
  • Weight: 2.5 kg / 5.50 lbs
  • Wireless Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/az
  • Bluetooth: 5.2
  • Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes): 12 hrs
Cons
  • USB-C charging limited to 54W

Dell XPS 15 (9510): (best laptops for coding beginners)

My friend came around.

He wished to buy a laptop for Coding, website development, or programming.

He knew I was knowledgeable about laptops, including which models were best for various users or users with particular needs.

He needed a Laptop that would be simple to use, have a long battery life, and have a quick CPU to keep up with his everyday necessities.

I knew this “Dell XPS 15 (9510)” Laptop would gratify all of his requirements.

It is simple for beginners to use due to the big screen size.

Their large screen area turns from elegance to necessity when all their windows are open.

Its features are perfect for beginners because they give them access to a more excellent range of work convenience.

The easiest Laptop for beginning and is the best Laptop for coding beginners.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

This Laptop has an impressive 512GB SSD.

I don’t suppose I need to tell anyone about the importance of this much storage.

It is essential as it ensures your Laptop has reduced latency and more excellent overall work performance and can provide you with all the ease that lets you work without irritation.

RAM/ ROM:

Amazingly, this Laptop has 16GB of RAM.

It enables seamless and effective data sharing between all open programs, removing the need for them to store data on the hard drive continuously.

Its 16 GB completes all work quickly and lets me focus on my tasks.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

This Laptop is easily linked via wifi and other standard electrical connections, and it has Ethernet ports for wired internet access.

This Laptop is fantastic because it has three USB-C ports (including an SD card slot), another USB 3.2 port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a 12-hour battery life that’s perfect for students to finish their assignments.

Graphic chip/ Processor:

I studied in detail and came across that this Laptop’s Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card are powerful enough to handle software programs like Codeacademy Go and Encode while ensuring optimal performance

Conclusion:

The Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card in this Laptop are effective enough to run applications like Codeacademy Go and Encode smoothly.

Pros
  • Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
  • Processor: Intel Core i7-11800H
  • RAM (as Tested): 16 GB
  • Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 512 GB
  • Screen Size: 15 inches
  • Boot Drive Type: SSD
  • Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
  • Graphics Memory: 4 GB
  • Graphics Processor: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
  • Wireless Networking: wifi 6E
  • Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes): 11:23
  • Weight: 4.3 lbs
  • Operating System: Windows 11
Cons
  • 720p webcam delivers grainy, washed-out images
  • Lacks USB Type-A ports

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme: (best thinkpad laptop for programming)

I have to use a laptop constantly to work.

It was fulfilled on my ThinkPad, which is a little old and outdated due to the frequent use of several softwares.

I needed a new one because the previous updates had run out, and it had started acting oddly.

I researched before deciding, and the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme exceeded my expectations regarding price, reviews, features, and upgrading the expiration date.

Overall, I’m glad and pleased with almost every aspect of the machine.

This Laptop’s gorgeous 15-inch screen, which facilitates me to work with as many panels open as I’d like without putting too much strain on my eyes, was my primary reason for buying it.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

This Laptop has a large 1TB SSD and a gorgeous ROM because programmers require a lot of storage space for software and a large hard drive to store their files.

RAM/ ROM:

This Laptop amazingly has 16GB of RAM.

It allows all open programs to share data effectively and seamlessly, eliminating the need to keep data on the hard drive constantly.

With 16 GB, all work is finished quickly, and you can concentrate on your tasks.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

On the right corner of the device, next to the SD card reader, two USB 3.1 Type-A ports, and a Kensington cable-lockdown slot, is the SmartCard reader.

There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports, an HDMI port, an audio jack, an AC adapter connector, a mini Ethernet port, and two Thunderbolt 3 ports on the left.

The speedy combination of this device’s Bluetooth and wifi makes me transfer and upload my stuff so quickly and makes it an easy breezy job for me.

Graphic chip/ Processor:

Its 8th-generation Intel Core i7 is an excellent processor for programming laptops.

It is also suitable for graphically urging tasks like video editing and other heavy software.

Conclusion:

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme highlights all the top features of Lenovo’s premium ThinkPad of laptops, but with a center on movability.

Its featherlight chassis, fabulous display, and incredible keypad make it an excellent, efficient laptop for frequent programmers.

It is for sure the best ThinkPad laptop for programming.

Pros
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti
  • CPU: up to 8th-generation Intel Core i7
  • RAM: up to 64GB
  • Storage
  • Up to 1TB SSD
  • Screen: 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080)
Cons
  • Ethernet port requires optional dongle.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE: (best laptops for programming and video editing)

I discovered my camera while organizing my wardrobe.

I remember how skilled I was at photography, videography, and other things back then.

Due to my lifelong love of photography and videography, I have developed some skills in digital video editing.

As I also informed you earlier that I began working as a professional videographer and photographer on a freelance basis.

I bought this “Acer Predator Triton 300 SE” Laptop to reignite the spark so that I can experiment with videography and editing.

I bought it because I also wanted to continue with my programming, and this Laptop is ideal for both.

Because video editing demands a powerful machine to support all those editing softwares, I bought this Laptop for myself.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

SSDs are used for storage.

It can transfer data up to 500 MB/s per second.

It is a slow speed for small laptops or portable electronics.

Therefore, it works well for regular programming and video editing tasks.

RAM/ ROM:

It has enough RAM (32GB) for programmers and video editors.

This RAM enables designers and editors to engage in their tasks very effortlessly.

They can smoothly complete and edit their projects without letting your Laptop slow down.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

I like the system that supports swift Bluetooth and 802.11ax (wifi 6), the most recent version of the wireless standard.

Two USB 3.2 Type-A ports, an Ethernet jack, an audio jack, and a security lock slot are on the Laptop’s left side.

Thunderbolt 4, mini DisplayPort, and HDMI ports are joined by a third USB-A port on the right, and the AC adapter is plugged in at the back, which makes things very handy for the users.

Graphic chip/ Processor:

Its Intel Core i9-12900H processor is accompanied by Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, which performs the best in graphic design.

Moreover, it allows users like me to play whenever and between different work sessions to refresh.

Conclusion:

If you need a cheap laptop for graphic design, this “Acer Predator” laptop is a good choice.

It has an Intel Core i9-12900H and is well-made.

With a battery life of just over 10 hours, it is portable.

The best Laptop for programming and editing videos is this one.

Click this link to buy:

Pros
  • Processor: Intel Core i9-12900H
  • RAM (as Tested): 32 GB
  • Boot Drive Type: SSD
  • Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 1 TB
  • Screen Size: 14 inches
  • Screen Refresh Rate: 90 Hz
  • Graphics Processor: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop
  • Graphics Memory: 6 GB
  • Wireless Networking: 802.11ax (wifi 6)
  • Weight: 3.75 lbs
  • Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes): 10:03
  • Operating System: Windows 11
Cons
  • Limited configurations available

ASUS Vivobook 15: (best laptops for programming under 1000)

At a cafe, I met a friend.

Along with me, he began learning to program.

And he then had to relocate to a different city.

When we met, and I inquired about his work, he informed me that his Laptop was having trouble and he was having a hard time focusing.

He claimed that his Laptop has numerous issues, including slow performance, screen glare, poor drive, and bad typing.

He claimed he wants to upgrade his Laptop but does not want to spend enough money on one.

I advised him to purchase this “ASUS Vivobook 15” laptop I had previously owned and found quite reliable.

The best Laptop for programming for under $1,000 is this one.

While using this Laptop to do my coding stuff, I had a great time with this Laptop.

Features:

Hard drive/SSD/SSDH:

My Laptop uses a 128 GB SSD; mostly, every Laptop prefers to have this RAM.

I am so glad it is a 10x faster mechanical HHD, and I think for me, it’s enough as It offers me sufficient speed and storage to load applications simultaneously.

RAM/ROM:

I suggest at least 4GB of RAM and believe that 8GB will be sufficient for most users.

If you’re a power user, run the most demanding games and applications of today, or just want to ensure you’re covered for any potential needs, choose 8GB or more.

Display/Battery/WIFI/USB Ports:

This multipurpose Laptop has a 15.6-inch FHD display and screen size of that.

A touch screen is available.

Since battery life is an immediate concern for laptop users, this Laptop’s battery lasts 6 to 7 hours.

The more effective version of wifi, WIFI 6, is supported.

It includes 4 USB ports.

Graphic card/Processor:

It has Intel UHD Graphics, suitable for graphically demanding tasks like programming.

It has a gorgeous Intel core i3 processor, a lovely processor for mid-range laptops from the latest generation.

Conclusion:

It is one of the top best Laptops for programming for under $1000.

I recommend this Laptop to programmers on budget and also for professionals.

It has an FDH display. Its RAM is suitable for storing a lot of data.

Pros
  • Processor: Intel Core i3-1005G1
  • Processor Speed: 1.2 GHz
  • RAM (as Tested): 8 GB
  • Boot Drive Type: SSD
  • Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 128 GB
  • Screen Size: 15.6 inches
  • Operating System: Windows 10
  • Graphics Processor: Intel UHD Graphics
  • Wireless Networking: 802.11ac, Bluetooth
  • Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes): 8:02
  • Weight: 3.75 lbs
Cons
  • No backlite keyboard. No indicator for Caps Lock.

Dell Inspiron 15: (best Laptop for programming student budget)

I told you I was a computer programming teacher at my friend’s school.

A student from my class came up to me one day and said he couldn’t afford an expensive laptop for his programming classes.

He admitted that he struggled financially and that his father had declined to buy him a pricy laptop.

He informed me that he has some savings and asked me to recommend a budget laptop for him.

I was thrilled to see that student’s drive and enthusiasm for learning.

I drove him to the store with Myself, and we purchased this “Dell Inspiron 15” laptop for him using his savings.

This Laptop is the best budget option for students because it has all the features you could want and is designed with a programming student’s needs in mind.

It’s simple to use.

Has an affordable, effective processor.

It is also not too heavy for students to carry around in their bags.

Features:

Hard drive/ SSD/ SSHD:

128GB would be more than enough space for all student programs and other Apps.

It can accommodate my extensive software collection and OS.

RAM/ ROM:

This Laptop’s 4GB RAM is more than adequate for a student on a budget.

I know that even though their laptop is slowing down, they can still use all of their initial software without any issues.

Students can work all day without getting frustrated because it makes the work simple and easy.

Display/ Battery/ WIFI/ USB port:

I like that this gadget has a battery that lasts for ten-plus hours, which makes it another reason for purchase.

One USB 2.0 port, two USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, and the wireless combination of Bluetooth and wifi 802.11ac make it easy for users to access network resources.

Graphic chip/ Processor:

At a reasonable cost, this Laptop offers a gorgeous processor.

Its AMD Athlon Silver 3050U laptop processor is reasonably priced. Its ability to handle everyday computing tasks for the home and workplace is something I like.

The processor has some performance, but it’s sufficient for MS Office-compatible documents, email, and other tasks like reasonably fluid web browsing.

Conclusion:

It is one of the top best Laptops for the budget if you want excellent all-around performance, a great feature set, strong battery life, and stellar value from a desktop replacement laptop.

Click this link to buy:

Pros
  • Processor: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
  • Processor Speed: 2.3 GHz
  • RAM (as Tested): 4 GB
  • Boot Drive Type: SSD
  • Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested): 128 GB
  • Screen Size: 15.6 inches
  • Native Display Resolution: 1366 by 768
  • Screen Refresh Rate: 60 Hz
  • Graphics Processor: AMD Radeon Graphics
  • Wireless Networking: Bluetooth, 802.11ac
  • Tested Battery Life (Hours: Minutes): 10:52
  • Weight: 3.9 lbs
  • Operating System: Windows 10 S
Cons
  • No VGA port
  • Slow hard drive

ASUS ROG Strix G15: (best Laptop for programming and virtualization)

I decided to virtualize my Laptop to use and install more apps from a more comprehensive selection.

On my Laptop, I wanted to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11, as doing so will allow me to enable virtualization.

Because of this, I needed a lot of resources (CPU, RAM, and Storage) on that one Laptop to run virtual machines.

And when it comes to this efficiency, consider whether there is a laptop that can match this “ASUS ROG Strix G15.”

I did not waste time and bought this Laptop for myself.

This Laptop has programmable base frequency and maximum turbo frequency settings.

This Laptop has a gorgeous SSD for storage, which is helpful when running numerous virtual machines that demand a sizable amount of storage.

Sincerity dictates that it is the best for virtualization and programming.

Features:

Hard Drive/SSD/HDD:

I think that ROG Strix G15 is an absolute pleasure.

It has a 512GB SSD with two slots to extend more storage, providing the crucial edge for Coding and an effective way to boost performance.

Its RAM keeps everything running smoothly, especially when multitasking or doing a lot of memory work.

RAM/ROM:

This Laptop brings the 16 GB DDR4 SDRAM that equips high-speed computing, so from my point of view, programmers can execute numerous chores simultaneously without feeling that the Laptop is becoming slow.

Battery/Display/USB ports/WiFi:

It has a perfect battery life with plenty to propel for 6 to 7 hours continuously without any power stoppage.

Its 15.6 inches screen is most suitable for my work.

It has a USB Type C port in the back for charging and supports wifi six connectivity which enriches its productivity.

Processor/Graphic Card:

I love the way this Laptop performs the job.

Its processor makes everything fast and fluid with a powerful Corei7-10750H CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070GPU, making me beget more stuff in less time.

It makes the task a breeze.

Conclusion:

Asus ROG Strix G15 is an outstanding Laptop for programming and Virtualization activities with all the features you need to get through your work.

This Laptop also looks flawless, has a sleek design, and is highly recommended for a smooth workflow.

Pros
  • Screen size: ‎15.6 Inches
  • Processor‎: Corei7-10750H
  • RAM‎: 16 GB DDR4 SDRAM
  • Graphics Coprocessor: ‎NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
  • Wireless Type:‎ Bluetooth, 802.11ax
  • Operating System‎: Windows 10 Home
  • Item Weight‎: 5.28 pounds
  • Batteries‎: 1 Lithium Ion battery are required. (included)
Cons
  • No SD card slot and Thunderbolt support
  • Lacks an integrated webcam

CONCLUSION:

Alright, guys, that concludes all the laptops we will discuss today in this article.

Do you guys have any experience with these laptops? What are your thoughts on them?

Which are your best laptops for programming?

Is there a laptop you love to use that I didn’t mention in this article?

Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?

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