TOP PICK 
Model
BLW's Score
91
89
87
85
84
MSRP
$2,578.00
Price not available
$1,249.99
$699.00
$479.93
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-9750H (2.4 - 4.5 GHz)
Intel Core i7 (6 cores)
Intel Core i7-7500U 3.5 GHz
Intel Core i3-8130U (up to 3.4 GHz)
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR3
16GB
8GB LPDDR3
12GB DDR4
8GB DDR3
Hard Disk
1TB SSD
256GB SSD
256GB SSD
512GB SSD
256GB SSD
Display
15.6" 4K UHD (1920 x 1080)
15" Retina (2880 x 1800)
13.3" QHD+ (3200 x 1800)
15.6" FHD Touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
Radeon Pro 555X
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 620
Intel HD Graphics 520
OS
Windows 10
MacOS
Windows 10
Windows 10 Home
Windows 10
Weight
5.5 pounds
4.02 pounds
2.7 pounds
5.27 pounds
2.6 pounds
Battery Life
3 hours
10 hours
12 hours
13 hours
12 hours
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
91
MSRP
$2,578.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-9750H (2.4 - 4.5 GHz)
RAM
16GB DDR3
Hard Disk
1TB SSD
Display
15.6" 4K UHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
OS
Windows 10
Weight
5.5 pounds
Battery Life
3 hours
Model
BLW's Score
89
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7 (6 cores)
RAM
16GB
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
15" Retina (2880 x 1800)
Graphics
Radeon Pro 555X
OS
MacOS
Weight
4.02 pounds
Battery Life
10 hours
Model
BLW's Score
87
MSRP
$1,249.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7500U 3.5 GHz
RAM
8GB LPDDR3
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3" QHD+ (3200 x 1800)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10
Weight
2.7 pounds
Battery Life
12 hours
Model
BLW's Score
85
MSRP
$699.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i3-8130U (up to 3.4 GHz)
RAM
12GB DDR4
Hard Disk
512GB SSD
Display
15.6" FHD Touchscreen (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 620
OS
Windows 10 Home
Weight
5.27 pounds
Battery Life
13 hours
Model
BLW's Score
84
MSRP
$479.93
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-7200U 2.5 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR3
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
Intel HD Graphics 520
OS
Windows 10
Weight
2.6 pounds
Battery Life
12 hours
Note: Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
Welcome to our list of 10 best laptop for programming and here you’ll learn what kind of laptops are best for programmers. Programming encompasses a diverse field with much potential still left to be unlocked.
Till date numerous tech geeks have made a career out of this dynamic field bubbling with possibilities. But bookish knowledge will not do much good unless the programmers get to harness their skills in practical scenarios.
The excellency of a programmer requires the wings of a superb laptop to run intricate coding language which is beyond human understanding. Coders can surely do a lot with a little help from laptops which come with a killer combo of power, performance and execution.
See Also: 10 Best Lightweight Laptops
Why Every Programmer Needs A Good Laptop?
Laptops which are meant to solve coding worries need to fulfil some basic requirements to make it to our list. These specifications include – a minimum of 8 GB RAM, capacity of 256 GB SSD or 1 TB HDD, a dedicated graphic card, IPS panels running over TN Boards, long battery life and a modern processor in line with Intel Core i5 or better.
These laptops can be equally fruitful for both college goers studying the coding language or office experts. Equipped with these developer’s laptop, coders and programmers can surely cough up masterpieces of a lifetime.
It’s not impossible for developers to turn every laptop into a programming den. But it surely is a tough job. Development and programming software surely do come with a heavy load, thus a normal laptop which can serve some cool MS Excel tricks might crash under the programming pressure.
Ample variations of laptop are available in the market sphere. Although they will serve the basic coding purpose, they might not always be the perfect fit for your need. It becomes more difficult when programmers have a tight budget to adhere to.
Numerous laptops have been launched since the beginning of 2021. These laptops continue the trend of consuming less power but providing more computing power.
If you are on the lookout for your ideal companion then, congratulations, you have reached the exact spot. We have already done the research job to make life easier for you. Bank on our knowledge as we show you the best options which will surely turn your frustration into satisfaction.
Today we shall discuss about the 10 best laptops for programming people to make them fall in love with their work all over again. So give your tired fingers some rest and put on your reading glasses as we guide you through this enriching journey into a world coded with best programming laptops.
You Can Check Also: 5 Best Laptop for Engineering Students
Our Top Picks for Best Laptops for Programming
1. ASUS ZenBook Pro
Specs:
If you’re on the market for the best laptop for programming then this is something you need to look at. Built to compete with the super slim MacBook, the ZenBook Pro has a 9th generation Intel Core i7 and extendable memory slot.
Its 6 core chip is great for intricate tasks like video rendering as well as daily computing work. With turbo boost, the CPU cores run at a blazing 4.5 GHz.
If you're familiar with the MacBook touch bar, the ZenBook's ScreenPad will blow you away. It provides many options for controlling applications using touch or the provided stylus. Programmers who also do graphical design will love it.
The 15.6 inch 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen is amazing. This beautiful display is driven by the equally impressive NVIDA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU. This laptop has no issues with graphics rendering for programming or gaming purposes.
This laptop isn't cheap, but the features are amazing. If you need a high-end laptop for software development work, this is a great choice.
See Also: 5 Best Laptops For Teachers
2. Apple MacBook Pro 15
Specs:
The MacBook Pro 15" Retina laptop with its amazing 2880 by 1800 Retina panel, sets a high standard high standards for other manufacturers to follow.
The sleek unibody design moulded from the finest quality aluminum results in a beautiful and durable product. The MacBook Pro is relatively lightweight at 4 pounds and has trimmed down edges and zeroed on a thin lid by ditching the light up Apple logo and going for a similar shaped tinted mirror. The laptop is available in a silver or space gray color. Personally, I think the space gray color with MacOS in dark mode is a great combination.
In the connectivity department, the laptop provides four Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The large multi-touch touchpad leaves plenty room for ones fingers.
The touchpad can stimulate response throughout its width and the pressure sensitive Force Touch technology is a delight to use while watching videos and peeking at Launchpad apps. The uber cool Butterfly 2 keyboard with tightly packed keys, conclave moulding and grippy texture functions provides good feedback when typing.
This model has 16 GB RAM along with a six-core Core i7 processor. You can adjust the memory, processor and storage options to meet your needs or lower the price of the laptop.
The speakers and built in microphone bring along exceptional clarity. However the webcam doesn’t impress much in backlit scenarios.
3. Dell XPS9360-4841SLV
Specs:
The newest Dell offering sums up the best in class combo of connectivity using Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C support, Intel Core i7 performance, QHD+ touchscreen and a premium build making it one of the best laptops for programming.
This ultraportable laptop scores all the right goals to make its owner proud. It emerges as a clear winner with its perfect balance in between comfort, design, battery life and performance. It is constructed from firmly machined aluminium with silver clad top lid and carbon fibre palm rest.
Its infinity display surely stands out as its USP and with some help from 3200 by 1800 resolution, viewers are sure to get stunned with its 5.7 million pixel infused graphics. The next to invisible bezels create an illusion of the display screen floating above the chiclet styled keypad.
The backlit keys add up to the premium feel of the laptop. Its connectivity ports include two USB 3.0 ports, headset jack and an SD card reader. Both Bluetooth 4.1 and dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi are available in the connectivity front.
With an internal memory of 8 GB and 256 GB solid-state drive, this Dell soldier has plenty of room for users who prefer to stream videos and music. The XPS 13 is perfect for performing day-to-day tasks and with the new 60 watt battery the laptop promises longer running time.
4. Acer Aspire E 15
Specs:
The Aspire laptop running on 8th generation Intel Core i3 processor is the result of a skillful merger in between smart design, impressive 13 hour battery life, ultra-high resolution and nice True Harmony stereo sound system.
The 12GB of RAM and 512GB SSD should be sufficient for most programming tasks. If you need higher specifications, like more RAM, this model is available with a wide range of memory, storage and CPU options. Of course, the price may be higher or lower depending on the options you choose.
The latest 802.11 ac wireless having MU-MIMO technology fastens wireless speed by 3 times. The reversible USB 3.1 Type-C port can speed up both data transfer and device charging. This laptop comes with a 8x DVD RW drive, which is somewhat rare. It's a great feature if you need it.
The Full HD Display with wide viewing angles makes content sharing or mobile pair programming easier. The HD Webcam helps in superior video and audio quality even when the same is shared over internet.
5. ASUS ZenBook UX330UA
Specs:
This notebook excels it peers in terms of being slimmer, lighter and faster. If you want to go for an unique combination of all day portability and unmatched power then this latest Asus offering should be your pick.
Based on smartphone technology, the precision touchpad having extensive sensitivity provides impeccable accuracy. Advanced fingerprint sensor in the touchpad fosters smart and secure login. Be it large programs or web browser, the laptop having 256GB SSD, 8GB internal memory and Intel Core i5-7200U Processor works just as smoothly.
The USB 3.1 Type C and 3 built-in USB 3.0 ports adds to the speed inertia. The wide anti-glare display spread across 13.3 inches can help you enjoy wonderful HD video whether you are sitting in an outdoor café or a brightly lit room.
178 degrees of wide viewing angle also makes screen sharing easier. The full size ergonomic keyboard having a rubberish palm rest and 1.5 mm key travel guarantees end to end user satisfaction who also get to choose from the pre-set sound profiles thanks to its SonicMaster feature.
Audiophiles can alter parameters to create their personal sound profile on the go. An optimum battery life of 12 hours ensure longer running with lesser interruption. All in all, with such amazing features it is certainly the best choice for programmers looking for a reliable laptop.
6. ASUS VivoBook K570UD
Specs:
The ultra slim. yet high performing. ASUS VivoBook is powered by the recent 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor. This is a great processor for demanding programming tasks.
Whether you are creating graphical content, watching movies or gaming on-the-go, the VivoBook with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 4GB graphics card delivers unmatched visuals. Built with high-quality aluminum, this sleek beauty weighing 4.3 lbs can be your regular travel partner due to its easy portability.
The splendid display technology and Full HD panel can cook up richer graphics for all forms of content. Even when the user engages in gaming marathon or multitasking, the robust cooling system ensures smooth running performance.
The dual-fan design having eight auto adjustable speed levels make minimum noise but deliver maximum cooling efficiency. Powerful speakers of the VivoBook equipped with smart amplifier technology and 8cc chambers produces crystal-clear sound.
The front mounted dual coil stereo speakers help in delivering 320% clear and loud audio in comparison to its peers along with getting brownie points in the treble and bass department. Its backlit keyboard helps while working in low light settings.
The single piece sturdy ergonomic keyboard fosters comfortable typing. Its USB 3.1 Gen 1 port having USB Type-C connector speeds up data transfer.
7. ASUS ROG Zephyrus gX501
Specs:
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus GX501 strikes the right cord of harmony between slim portability and gaming power. This laptop is powered up by the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 six-core processor and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. It's very thin (0.7") and scores highly in the portability, durability and premium feel segment.
The sleek body and colorful keyboard result in a real head-turner of a laptop. The colored backlit keys having 1.8mm of key travel also helps out in comfortable usage. The 512 GB SSD speeds up loading time and software performance even when heavy programs are running in the backend.
The accurate and vivid color display on the 15.6 inch Full HD screen can help in flawless viewing even in less ideal locations. The 144 Hz refresh rate result in smooth animation with less blur and screen tearing. Maximum screen resolution is 1920 by 1080 pixels and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 results in stunning graphics on screen.
The laptop includes the latest ports, including HDMI 2.0 and USB 3.1 Type C. For wireless connectivity, the Gigabit Wave 2 WiFi provides data rates up to 1.7Gbps.
The machine is relatively portable at under 5 pounds and comes with pre-installed Windows 10. This is one of our favorites for programming activities with the bonus of being a very capable gaming machine when you want to take a break from coding.
8. HP Notebook
Specs:
The HP Pavilion notebook with 15.6 inch display and 1366b by 768 pixel resolution has been selling like a hotcake among those old school buyers having a soft spot for a considerably large laptop with no-frills.
This highly powerful 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U dual-core processor provides unmatched performance. One USB 2.0, two USB 3.0 ports, Ethernet network port, full size HDMI, headphone/microphone socket and SD card reader makes this laptop a frontrunner in the connectivity department.
With laptops ditching the optical disc drives off late, the HP Pavilion’s DVD/RW drive come as a breather to many. Two 8 GB internal RAM and 1 TB hard drive provides ample support to those heavy coding files.
A full sized keyboard comes as a perk of its large size. The trackpad with its smooth gliding surface also works pretty decently. The speakers don’t impress much but the overall show is saved by the headphone jack.
This laptop however wins hands down in the performance spectre. In spite of having multiple programmes running in the background and web browser tabs open, the functioning of this hardy PC does not flinch even a bit. With an approximately 9 hours of battery life, this laptop is the perfect answer for those running on a tight budget.
9. Acer Aspire ES 15
Specs:
This practical yet stylish notebook with 6th Generation Intel Core i3-6100U Processor and handy multimedia tools, ground breaking performance and seamless connectivity makes daily activities like communicating, web browsing and digital enjoyment seem like a cakewalk.
So whether you are connecting wirelessly for accessing and downloading files or multitasking, you surely won’t find any room to complain. With Input output (I/O) ports placed on both the sides it becomes easier to establish connection with peripherals.
The USB 3.0 port speeds up connectivity by three times compared to the standard USB 2.0. The Build Your Own Cloud feature of Acer allows users to build cloud storage without crossing the security barrier.
The Precision Touchpad of Acer Aspire ES 15 helps in intuitive navigation through webpages, galleries and much more. High quality microphone and webcam which comes in-built with the system helps in easy sharing of pictures and conducting video chats. Its 802.11ac connection works beautifully even across increased distance.
The latest Bluetooth 4.0 and wireless technologies keeps its users connected at all times. Weighing just over five pounds, this 1 inch thin notebook is also a visual masterpiece with its unique pattern and elegant curvature.
The 15.6 inch CineCrystal LED-backlit LCD display having 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio ensures complete viewing experience and we highly recommend it to programmers looking for the best laptop.
10. Acer Chromebook
Specs:
This 11.6 inch wonder packs all the essentials into an elegant frame. The superfast wireless connectivity promises to never let you down and riding on the wings of its long lasting 3220 mAh battery of 9 hours, you can serve all your favourite apps and run those tricky programs without your machine running out of juice.
The nano-imprint patterning technology of the Chromebook 11 creates a textured yet subtle look. The ultra-slim third generation Chromebook having an 11.6 inch frame adds to its portability.
The fan less designs on the keyboard aids in easy typing and perks up its efficiency. The HD IPS anti-glare display running over 11.6 inch works with equal ease even in outdoor conditions.
High speed gets a sexy makeover with its wireless 802.11ac connection which can bring a larger range within its loop. Its Intel Celeron processor leads to a ten second boot time. Some other remarkable functionalities include multitasking, crisp video playback and quick loading of content rich webpages.
The Chromebook with its auto update features also makes work easier for its users. Its USB 3.0 port fosters easy sharing. Add to these features its moderate price tag and you surely have a winner here.
Conclusion
The interesting subject matter of programming can turn into a frustration hotpot if the budding minds don’t get proper assistance of a blazing machine. It is not mandatory to spend bulk income on buying a programming laptop.
As you may have noticed we have listed some moderately priced laptops for programming which are just as good.
And instead of spending a fortune behind a high end laptop which is not always mandatory for programmers it is better to go for a comfortable working table with the balance saving so that you don’t need to make those weekly doctor visits thanks to excruciating neck pain.
So these are our recommendations for best laptop for programming and if you have any doubts then feel free to get in touch with us.
