The Best Laptop For programming In 2023

The best laptop for programming in 2023 is the one that offers you a high-resolution display, powerful processors, and a backlit keyboard, so you can focus on what’s important: your work.

It’s no secret that programming and coding are among the most important skills today. Many companies require developers to possess specific skills such as proficiency in HTML, CSS, PHP, and JavaScript or proficiency in other languages such as C++, C#, Python, Java, or Rust.

However, there is more to it than just typing away at a keyboard and staring at a screen all day long. As technology evolves and we become increasingly dependent on our devices, the need for them to be powerful has never been greater.

Though laptops have been around since the 80s, the new wave of laptops has brought with it new levels in a compact size but also more powerful computational capability coupled with longer battery life. With this influx of processing power, 8GB RAM inside most newer high-end models became practical and used as the benchmark by other manufacturers even for non-gaming laptops. These improvements make these laptops a viable option for coders.

However, the best laptop for coding in 2023 is a good balance between affordability and functionality. The computer must be able to handle AI code as well as processing-intensive tasks such as rendering 3D graphics.

Here’s how we found out which laptops will serve as the best computers for coders in 2023: We looked up reviews online from reputable sources, read articles about new innovations; evaluated recommendations from professional programmers about their favorite laptop brands; checked specifications of popular models to come up with the best laptops that are custom made for challenging tasks like coding and programming.

11 Best Laptops For Programming In 2023

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1. Apple MacBook Pro (2021) – Best programming laptop for Mac users

• Specification:
• Screen: 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
• CPU: Apple M1 Pro 8-core – M1 Max 10-core chip
• Graphics: Integrated 14-core – 32-core GPU
• Operating System: Mac OS
• RAM: Up to 64GB
• Storage: Upto 8 TB SSD
• Weight: 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg)
• Battery life: Upto 21 Hours

When you’re ready to step up your game, it’s time for the ultimate Mac. The new MacBook Pro is designed with macOS in mind so all your pro workflows are faster than ever before – and it’s backed by Apple’s impressive machine learning chops so the power this beauty packs will blow you away. You can also get a stunning Retina Display, a 10-core processor that intelligently adjusts performance based on what you’re doing, a gorgeous True Tone 16.2-inch mini-LED backlit display that shifts colors automatically to match different lighting environments, ports including 3 USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, an SD card slot, an HDMI port for compatibility across various devices, and up to 64GB of memory.

Get top-of-the-line performance with up to 32 cores graphics card that can handle intensive programs at up to 4x faster speeds. And the built-in Neural Engine provides machine learning abilities at unbelievable speed, making it ideal for researchers and manufacturers alike. Choose from a wide range of configurations, even going as high as 8TB of SSD storage so you don’t have to wait for apps or large files to load. With all these travel-friendly features backed by over 21 hours on one charge, it’s no wonder the Pro has been voted among the Best Overall Laptop by many experts.

2. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) – Best portable laptop for programmers

• Specification:
• Screen: 13.3-inch (diagonal) 2,560 x 1,600 LED-backlit display with IPS technology
• CPU: Apple M1 8-core chip
• Graphics: Integrated 7-core /8-core GPU
• Operating System: Mac OS
• RAM: 8GB – 16GB
• Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
• Weight: 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg)
• Battery life: 18 Hours

The Apple MacBook Air Laptop is a professional-grade laptop for today’s world. Whether you need to edit video, create graphics, or work on spreadsheets that will make your boss happy with your quarterly projection report; this lightweight, powerful machine can do it all. With 18 hours of battery life, you’ll be able to spend more time completing tasks than waiting for the battery to charge up so you can get back to work! With a powerful processor, large hard drive, and ample memory this machine has what it takes to meet all of your needs on a daily basis.

The lightweight laptop has an Apple M1 chip with an 8-core CPU that allows up to 3x faster performance compared to last year’s model. Your work will be seamlessly running with 8GB of unified memory and a 13.3″ Retina display so you’ll feel like the artistry in Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft 365, and Google Drive are right there on your screen – so vivid their colors might appear lifelike! Don’t despair if you use other hardware or software; this MacBook Air offers compatibility across devices and you can run your favorite iPhone and iPad apps directly on macOS which works smoothly on the Apple MacBook Air Laptop.

3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 – Powerful laptop for coders

• Specifications:
• Screen: 13.5-inch PixelSense (2,256 x 1,504) touch
• CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 /AMD Ryzen 5 – 7
• Graphics: Iris Plus graphics 950
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• RAM: 8GB – 32GB
• Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
• Weight: 2.76 lbs
• Battery: 19 hours

With up to 70% more speed than before and an 11th Gen Intel Core processor, the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a powerful yet sleek laptop with elegance in mind. The 13.5” size is quick and light for those looking for something small yet substantial, while the 15” has an extra-large screen perfect for multitasking or immersive video viewing with Dolby Atmos sound reproduction. Choose from 13.5” or 15” models of this Windows laptop with 512 GB hard drive storage.

Windows Home offers a reliable operating system that utilizes your personal data to provide you with opportunities across multiple devices. If you watch movies, enjoy split-screen multitasking, listen to music, or share your screen with other people on Skype-you will be blown away by the Stereo Omnisonic Speakers backed by immersive Dolby Atmos6. Add in the latest 11-generation i7 processors with 16 GB of RAM and you have a laptop that is built for speed. Plus Microsoft claims to have 19 hours of battery life which in our tests turned out to be up to 11.5 hours, so nothing to worry about as it can still last all day for you!

4. Google Pixelbook Go – Best Chromebook for programmers

• Specifications
• Screen: 12.3-inch 2400 x 1600p (Falls between Full HD and 4K QHD) LCD touchscreen
• CPU: Intel Core m3 – Intel Core i7
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 615
• Operating System: Chrome OS
• RAM: 8GB – 16GB
• Storage: 512 GB eMMC
• Weight: 2.45 lbs
• Battery: 12 hours

Sleek, thin, and compact, the Google Pixelbook is slim enough to fit in your backpack. The 12.3-inch QHD LCD touchscreen makes browsing the web with the Chrome operating system feel like you’re surfing the internet on a high-quality monitor. At just 2.45 pounds it is light enough to take with you so there are no more missed opportunities for work or play.

Another smart design touch is that this Chromebook can be charged with either of its USB Type-C ports — meaning your other accessories won’t be unusable when an outlet isn’t nearby and chances of losing power while working on a presentation are close to zero. With up to 16 GB memory and 7th gen intel core i7 processor, the Pixelbook quickly and efficiently launches apps, flips through photos, and gives you a smooth experience on Chrome.

The touchscreen display of this Chromebook is also a stylus you can use to take notes or draw pictures in a variety of apps available for download on the Google Play store. It’s an excellent device for students because it comes with a keyboard that folds under the screen for tablet mode and a free year’s subscription to Google Play Music All Access, which allows you to stream millions of songs from any device.

The 12.3-inch display is sharp and crisp with a 2400 x 1600 resolution. It has a pixel density of 235 ppi (pixels per inch) and a 3:2 aspect ratio.

The system operates on the Chrome operating system which supports Google’s Android Studio development tools, while you can also run Linux apps on it as well. It also features a Google-designed stylus to take notes or draw in any app. The Pixelbook uses USB Type-C for charging its battery via either of the two ports.

5. LG Gram 17 (2021) – Best 17-inch laptop for coding

• Specifications
• Screen: 17” WQXGA (2560 x 1600) IPS LCD Screen
• CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i7
• Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 Series
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Size: 381 x 261 x 17.78mm
• Weight: 2.98 Pounds
• Battery: 17 hours

LG Gram 17Z90N Laptop has a brand new concept of a laptop with an elegant and slim profile. It’s made of Nano Carbon Magnesium Alloy for lightness and durability, which is stronger than aluminum alloy yet as light as carbon composite material. The laptop is claimed to offer up to 17 hours of battery life without sacrificing performance or connectivity. Though that turned out to be 14 hours in our testing. But still, a whooping long duration for such a powerful big machine, isn’t it? With a Nano Carbon Magnesium alloy body and up to 90% recycled plastics, this laptop is designed with the environment in mind.

The LG Gram 17Z90N Laptop has a 2560 x 1600-resolution IPS display for an immersive viewing experience. It’s equipped with Windows 10 Home (64 bit), Intel 10th Generation i7-1065G7 CPU, 16 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB M 2 NMVe SSD (512 GB x2), and ‎Intel Iris Plus Graphics to power through anything you throw at it. The laptop is designed with an ergonomic RGB Backlit keyboard that’s comfortable enough to type on for hours while also helping to keep the system cool by directing heat away from the palm rest. It also has a precision touchpad that supports Windows gestures and offers enhanced scrolling functionality.

With two USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 (Thunderbolt™3 enabled) ports, you can transfer data at speeds of up to 10Gb/s for lightning-fast file sharing with friends or family members. And with a single USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 port, you can charge your phone and transfer data simultaneously. The laptop also provides a MicroSD slot that supports up to 2 TB of expandable storage for a photo, music, and video files.

6. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 – Best 2-in-1 laptop for coding

• Specifications:
• Screen: 14 inches FHD (1920 x 1080) multi-touch Display
• CPU: up to 8th-generation Intel Core i7
• Graphics: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512 GB SSD
• Weight: 2.99 lbs
• Battery: 19 hours 45 mins

If simplicity, versatility, and the power of Windows 10 are what you’re looking for in an ultra-mobile 2-in-1 with broad compatibility that’s designed to go anywhere, then the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga is perfect for you. The ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 4 is a powerful, light laptop for business users who don’t want to compromise performance or mobility. This Windows 10 portable laptop features a low weight (3.99 lbs) and high multitasking ability thanks to both big numbers 16 GB RAM and 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD allowing it to work with any app seamlessly. It comes with 8th-generation Intel Core processors so you can stay focused on your work without being slowed down by unexpected crashes or sluggish performance.

The 400 nits 14 inches Full HD IPS touchscreen display is anti-reflective and anti-smudge, so you can just sit and start coding anywhere. And to make it, even more, easier the Lenovo Pen Pro offers a natural writing experience, or use its backlit keyboard for navigating applications across various platforms with ease! Plus there are plenty of ports allowing you to plug in anything and everything – including your phone and monitor. The X1 Yoga now uses a new kind of battery that not only takes less space but also has 50% more power than the previous generation for an even longer unplugged time (up to 18 hours).

7. Dell XPS 15 (2020) – Powerhouse for every programmer

• Specifications:
• Screen: 15.6″ FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS – UHD+ (3840 x 2400)
• CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7
• Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
• RAM: 8GB – 64GB
• Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD
• Weight: ‎8.9 pounds
• Battery: 8 Hours, 1 min

The latest Dell XPS 15 9510 laptop with a 15.6″ 1080p full HD display will wow you from the inside out. With an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB PCIe SSD storage, this computer has what it takes to make getting work done fast and easy. The color accuracy is excellent on the wide gamut 2560 x 1440 panel, which means you can enjoy rich colors in Windows 10 Pro software without any issues.

More ports than your average consumer notebook, including 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, headphone/microphone combo jack, and 2 Thunderbolt 4 (USB Type-C) ports for easy connectivity. Moreover, your remote connectivity is faster than before with its Killer Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1! If you want a powerful PC with plenty of room to work, then the Dell XPS 15 9510 is for you.

8. HP Envy x360 15 – Convertible laptop for programmers

• Specifications:
• Screen: 15.6-inch diagonal FHD (1980 x 1080) multi-touch enabled, edge-to-edge display
• CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i7-1165G7
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• RAM: 8GB.
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Weight: 4.24 pounds
• Battery life: 12 hours, 52 min

No matter what you’ve got going on, the HP Envy Laptop can keep up. The 360 convertible hinge design provides a more comfortable viewing or typing angle no matter where every activity in your every day takes you. With minimalistic yet stunning good looks and an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processor for faster computing speed, this device is sure to meet all of your needs.

Power through with 8GB of memory and 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage with plenty of space to accommodate essential files for work or play. Moreover, safeguarding your data is easy with features like built-in fingerprint reader biometric security technology when working on collaborative projects. And you never miss a beat when you’re streaming wirelessly from up to 9 hours 45 minutes with consistently crystal-clear imagery thanks to Intel Iris Xe Graphics.

9. Huawei MateBook 13 – A budget option with power for coders

• Specifications:
• Screen: 13-inch 2k display screen with 1260 X 1440 pixels resolution
• CPU: 8th generation i5-760 1.6 GHz
• Graphics: Intel UHD graphics 620 Nvidia GeForce MX150 2 GB GDDR5
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• RAM: 8 GB DDR3L
• Storage: 256 -512 GB SSD
• Weight: 2.86 pounds
• Battery life: 9 hours

Fans of productivity, this is your laptop. The Huawei Matebook 13’s thin and light design allows for a screen-to-body ratio with maximized viewing space. Engineered with an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 dual-core processor for optimized speeds, the Huawei Matebook also features a Shark fin cooling solution that maximizes airflow up to 25% more than most conventional laptops. With these signature components inside the 2K touchscreen display, you’ll be working at a sizzling speed in no time!

Typing in the Matebook is a joyful experience, because of its coated keys which flex well to offer good bounce for heavy typists. The trackpad also responds quickly with precision so your fingers never have an excuse not to hit their target!

A lot of people think the Matebook is an excellent device for game programming because it has almost 92% on its color gamut scale. This means that you will be able to see all the colors in your graphics and not just shades of gray like with some other screens which can make testing games easier!

10. ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 – Dual screen laptop for heavy coders

• Specifications:
• Screen: Main: 15.6 inches OLED 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen glossy display
• CPU: 10th generation Intel Core i7-10870H Processor
• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
• Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Weight: ‎5.16 pounds
• battery life: 5 hours, 13 mins

Simply put, this is the best multitasking experience you’ll ever have with a laptop. Continue working with a 15.6 inch OLED 4K UHD touchscreen or use a 14 inches 4K matte touchscreen of the ScreenPad Plus interface when you need it. The OLED 4K UHD monitor is perfect for those who want a faster response time and greater color accuracy. It also has an excellent blue light reduction, which makes it less likely you’ll experience any eye strain!

With an elegant blend of work and play, the dual-screen ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo 15 offers endless ways to optimize your multitasking experience by extending the screen or splitting windows and apps on both displays – even when you detach the palm rest for the tablet mode. And with the industry-leading latest 10th generation Intel Core i7 Processor, powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 graphics cards, fast 1TB SSD storage, and 16GB memory, ample ports, and connectivity feature this is one mobile powerhouse that can pack a performance punch wherever you go.

The backlit keyboard is paired together perfectly and poised for supreme typing convenience and perfection while typing your complex codes- not to mention it’s housed in one of Asus’s signature luxurious finishes so it looks just as good as it performs.

11. Acer Aspire 5 – Coding laptop with aesthetics

• Specifications:
• Screen: 15.6″ Full HD IPS Display
• CPU: Intel Core i7-1165G7 Processor
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Operating System: Windows 10 Home
• RAM:16GB DDR4 Memory (Expandable to 24GB)
• Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
• Weight: 3.63 pounds
• Battery life: 6 hours, 55 mins

Get the Acer Aspire 5 Laptop, with your choice of Intel Core i7 processor that clocks up to 4.7 GHz, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD for ultimate performance and responsiveness that lasts all day, thanks to up to 8.5 hours of battery life.

The 13.9mm thin design and strong casing make the laptop ideal for business travel, while enjoyment is granted by powerful visuals through its FHD 1920×1080 IPS LED-backlit display and an Intel Iris XE graphics chipset capable of running your programming software without an issue. The keyboard sports backlit keys with a Numeric keypad for maximum usability in dimly lit rooms and typing codes in the dark. For maximum security, it features an Acer fingerprint reader to ensure the programs you are working on stays safe from the reach of authorized people.

Plus the laptop offers a number of ports for connectivity, including a USB 3.2 (Type-C) Gen 1 port, 2 – USB 3.2 Gen 1 Ports, a USB 2.0 Port, and an HDMI Port.

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Important features to look for when buying the best laptop for programming

Here are some of the most important things to look for when choosing the best laptop for programming.

Screen size and resolution

While primarily used for debugging code by developers (and increasing productivity), screens also play an important role in visualizing programming projects. Most programming laptops will come with choices of screen sizes ranging from 14″ up to 17″ which provide high enough resolution for most coding tasks. The larger screen sizes use more energy to power which may be a downside for some less energetic programmers, however, larger screens come with more visual power and better visibility.

Screen resolution is another factor to consider when buying a good laptop for programming. If you are using programs that run on high-end GPU, or intensive applications with larger display sizes, the higher pixel density will be beneficial in good visibility.

The highest resolution was once reserved for gaming laptops but nowadays comes standard across most categories of laptops aimed at programmers. This is why choose the screen size and resolution based on what kind of apps and programs you intend to use with the device. Anti-glare coating is another element you need to consider if you intend to code often while you are in the sun.

Keyboard

A keyboard can have a tremendous impact on how you type, play games, and use the computer. Backlit keyboards are great for visual or math-oriented applications because typing accuracy is very important in these scenarios. The keypad position should be close enough for your wrists to touch it when typing. Check whether your keys are adjustable, or if the keyboard is sufficient for your needs. Also check how convenient the numeric keypad is, because you may need to use that a lot during your programming.

Some keyboards have an issue with inconsistency in the backlighting, causing unexpected noise or flashes. After a few minutes of use, you will get tired and won’t care that it has this quirk. If you want consistent reliable lighting at all times, look for one with solid keys!

Processor ( CPU)

One important criterion to consider, along with price and function requirements, is whether you need a dual-core processor for your chosen programming tasks or a quad-core processor. With dual- and quad-core processors, you can hugely increase performance on some programs without needing to spend money on new graphics cards (GPUs).

Graphics (GPU)

The graphics card part of laptops (often called GPUs or Graphic Processing Units) is the main unit that renders images on your screen. It’s important to get one with enough computing power because programming applications often use a lot of graphic effects like color palettes, textures, and even 3D objects. This may not need such intensive processing as what you get from more typical gaming computers but the more powerful is fine for programmers as they may want more speed and better ability to work smoothly.

For most programming software, integrated Intel graphics will do the job but if you are a hardcore programmer you’ll be better off with dedicated graphics from AMD and Nvidia to make things easier.

RAM & Storage

You also need to consider the amount of RAM your system will have. Laptop RAM can range from 4GB up to 16GB or even 32 GB. You’ll likely want a minimum of 8 GB, which you should be able to get on most laptops made in 2017 and later – but more is often better since it will mean fewer page faults when you’re coding!

Storage is a little trickier as shop around on price and decides on the optimum amount of storage you want for your chosen laptop. Essentially, ask yourself what extra storage options will be needed by each program you have installed so that once those start to become full, they aren’t clogged up with files or poorly organized folders which prevent programs from running smoothly and efficiently. We would recommend at least 500 GB of SSD storage space available for your chosen laptop. Keep in mind that a lot of hard-core programming will be best done on an SSD, especially when working with low-frequency processors.

Operating system (OS)

There are a lot of different operating systems out there to choose from. That said, Linux is always an option as it gives you complete freedom for your computer. Unfortunately, the typical user that needs a powerful laptop would be better off with Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS. You will probably have an idea of what kind of programs you’d be using for coding and programming, so choose the one that supports them.

Battery life

is fairly important. Laptops which have between 6-10 hours of battery life will be adequate but most programmers tend to go for one with a robust 10+ hours so they can work uninterrupted during the day and at night. Programming is not only about coding, algorithms, and flowcharts, it’s also about working with graphics and visuals that will drain your battery faster. You’ll need to factor that into your laptop choice and you’ll want the battery life to cover you for that.

Cooling

Laptops are not fully closed-off devices with all the components packed together inside them. There is an opening at the base of your screen where you can place a cool or cold air intake for additional cooling purposes or if symptoms occur like unwanted noise during increased load, overheating, etc.

The poorly insulating casing may cause unpleasant surprises to programmers having higher precision appliances under their keyboards which could potentially be damaged by heat radiation from other close parts of a laptop. The best way to ensure the long life of your gadget is to make sure that it comes with a good cooling system. Moreover, even battery life for programming will increase along with better cooling, so if you’re after long-life lookout for both thermal heat transfer properties and better cooling technology in your laptop.

Ports

The best laptop for coding in 2023 also needs reliable ports. The system should have USB ports for peripherals, Thunderbolt 3 or 4 outputs, an HDMI port, and a card reader as well. This will allow you to connect peripheral devices such as external graphics cards and hard drives without adapters plugged into your body. Nothing is worse than having a long night’s work ruined because of lost plugging during setup. Not only will this make port selection easier, but the new ports make it possible to integrate left-field peripherals like DSLR cameras and HDR monitors to make your collaborative tasks easier.

Final Words:

The best laptop for programming is still a process that must include your budget or even method of acquiring it. You should look at both specifications and prices to ensure you’re getting what’s most important to you from the device. The laptops that we have reviewed for you are all excellent options for programmers with different budgets and needs. So, simply pick the one that suits you.

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