Top 10 Best Laptops for Programming and Coding in 2022

Developers can develop websites and apps on any laptop or desktop computer, but that is not always the case. A programmer’s dream is to have access to their workstation wherever they are. That’s why they usually run away from desktop computers. Instead, they prefer laptops over everything. And this preference has stayed relevant until now.

Python and Kotlin are gaining popularity among programmers and coders. Java isn’t that behind. The system requirements of systems required to run these languages aren’t high. They usually require laptops that are capable of running these languages.

Although you can get any mid-tier laptop. But you’ll have to change your laptop more often as it won’t be future-proof.

That’s why we have recommended the best laptops for programming and coding with the latest specs.

​If you are a programmer or developer, then having a decent laptop with enough hardware specification is necessary for your coding and compiling work. Having a great combination of hardware and an excellent keyboard are the most important aspects when you select the best laptop for programming.

What do Programmers and Developers  Need in a Laptop?

There are some essential points that you must consider before you start looking for the correct laptop for you. These features allow you to choose the best system that meets all your needs and requirements.

Operating system

The platform on which you use your programs for developing is the most critical feature that you must consider. You can’t go for a machine that runs on Windows and start working on a program that operates in Mac.

It is only possible if the program is compatible with both the operating systems. Windows and Mac OS are by far the most popular Operating Systems that programmers and developers use to complete their projects. Windows support most of the programming languages, and it is a lot cheaper than Macs.

But if you are an Apple developer, you need to own a Mac. Mac runs on Swift and Objective C, and they both need Xcode. This language is available only in Mac. You will need an Apple laptop if you are specifically working in these two programming languages.

Linux runs Ruby on Rails, PHP, and Python but Windows supports them too. Therefore, the overall best option for you to consider is Windows. But if you are an Apple-specific developer, then a Mac is a must-have for you.

Processor (CPU)

Make sure you are getting the latest processor in the market under your budget. That will allow you to keep your laptop for the next 5 years and run any latest programming or developing tools in future. Processing power may be needed in some cases when you compile your codes. Getting an i5 or i7 processor with the latest generation and higher speed would be ideal in this case.

Whether you are working on a mobile app or a website, you will have to go with a powerful processor if you want to work smoothly. The last chunk of the programs and softwares require high-powered processors with multiple threads and core count.

With such a CPU, your code editors work faster and you will develop your projects quicker; it will save a lot of your time too. An Intel i5 processor is good enough for most developers. However, if you are a game developer or deal in graphics, you should choose Intel i7. If you have budget constraints and you just started learning to program, Intel i3 will be the perfect pick for you.

RAM

The rule of thumb here is to go for better RAM, but that doesn’t mean you should spend everything to get one. Better RAMs can run local servers more efficiently and you can run browsers, code editors, and compiler at the same time. For programming, an 8GB RAM would suffice but for game development and graphics, 16GB is a better option.

Try to get the higher capacity RAM with higher frequency. Since DDR4 is available in the market right now, try to get the DDR4 RAM if it is under your budget. Make sure to check your main programming or developing software recommended hardware requirements and buy accordingly. Keeping a free memory slot will allow you to upgrade the RAM in future.

Storage (Hard Disk)

You will have to choose between the standard HDDs and SSDs. But hard disks are slower as compared to solid-state drives which you will find on cheaper laptops. Consequently, for programming, the better option is to go for solid-state drives because they can significantly boost the overall speed of your machine.

It is better to go with SSD laptop. You really need higher disk I/O laptop that could respond to your queries and commands quickly. You could go for a hybrid hard disk setup or cloud storage to store more data. But it is highly recommended to have the main Operating System and your development/programming application on SSD hard drive.

Graphics Card (GPU)

This is something you won’t ever regret having, but it’s not mandatory for you either. The integrated graphics that you get on AMD processors are suitable for most programming endeavours. If you occasionally play games on your laptop, this feature must be at an entry-level at least. However, you will need better graphics if you are a game developer or a graphics designer.

Though we are not buying the laptop for gaming, it depends on your program or app you are developing to find out the graphics card requirement. Some programs and tools may need GPU (Display memory and processor), in this case, get the laptop with the dedicated latest display card.  Screen size could be larger, which will allow you to do the coding and development work in multiple windows on the same screen.

You will also need a laptop that has a very ergonomic and anti-glare display. It is better to go for an IPS display so you don’t have to deal with eye strain spending so much time on your laptop.  Lightweight and compact design with excellent battery life are also some important features.

List of Best Laptops for Programming and Coding

1. New Apple MacBook Pro 13-inch 8GB

If you are looking for a laptop that offers you optimal programming performance, this is the perfect choice for you. The new Apple Macbook comes with more performance and more power. It comes with a high-performance processor that is developed by using the latest and modern technology. This allows you to do everything quicker and faster.

It comes with Intel Iris 645 graphics. This is the high-end integrated graphics card that is pre-installed on the laptop. You don’t have to buy an external graphic card. There is no other laptop that gives you such an advanced level resolution. This MacBook comes with a native resolution of 2560X1600 pixels.

This is an ultraportable MacBook which weighs only 3.1 pounds. If you travel a lot you can take it along with you wherever you go. If you are a freelancer, you can conveniently carry it in your hands and use it anywhere you want.

You can use the touch ID to secure your laptop. It also allows you to make Apple purchases by using a simple touch. You can approve it with your fingerprint. The touch bar feature allows you to send your important emails in the most convenient ways. The touch bar allows you to control the volume and level of brightness of the light.

The keyboard provides you with optimal key stability. With the eye-opening graphics performance, you are able to manage all programming work without straining your eyes. You can carry out the toughest jobs without any trouble.

This New Apple Macbook comes with true tone technology. It gives you a natural viewing environment.

This New Apple Macbook comes with:

• 1.4 GHz quad-core Intel Core i5.
• Intel Iris 645 graphics.
• Touchbar and smooth keypad.
• True Tone Technology gives you.

2. LG Gram 16″

LG is one of the premium laptops manufacturers. Their laptops are known all over the world for their high-end specifications. One such laptop with us is the LG Gram 16″. It is an ultra-lightweight laptop made for enthusiasts who want to code.

Inside the laptop is an 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7 processor. This is the latest generation powerful processor from Intel. It is packed with enough power and efficient cores to perform heavy-duty tasks. Inside this processor is the integrated Iris Xe® Graphics.

This is a powerful combination of a processor with integrated graphics. Coding or programming on this laptop will be a piece of cake for you.

The LG Gram 16″ is equipped with 16 GB of LPDDR4X RAM. The RAM runs at a fast clock speed of 4266 MHz. It provides the necessary power for coding and programming. On the storage side, the laptop has a 256 GB M.2 SSD PCIe and NVMe. It provides fast reading and writing speed.

The display on the laptop is 16″ wide. It is in a 16:10 ratio with 2560 x 1600 pixels. As LG’s IPS display, you can expect high color accuracy with everything crisp.

The battery inside this laptop is rated at 80 Wh. It has a high battery life of up to 22 hours.

This laptop comes with:

• Intel® 11th Gen Core™ i7 Processor
• Intel Integrated Iris Xe® Graphics
• 16″ superb LG display
• Long 22+ hours battery life.
• Ultra-Lightweight

3. Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2

Lenovo is the underdog of laptops. Their laptops don’t get the spotlight, but they are high-performance and durable. The Lenovo ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 is one of the underdogs of LG. The laptop comes in black color, and it has the same unique mousepad as other Lenovo models.

Intel’s 11th Gen Core™ i5 processor powers this laptop. Although it’s a Quad-Core processor, it has enough power to easily perform all the programming and coding tasks. ThinkPad E15 Gen 2 uses the Intel Iris Xe® Graphics for the graphics. The purpose of using integrated graphics is to ensure you get optimum battery life with the laptop.

Thinkpad E15 Gen 2 has a 45-watt hour battery installed in it. And the low-power consuming processor allows it to get up to 9 hours of battery life.

The laptop has 16 GB DDR4 RAM. Whereas for storage, it has 512 GB PCIe NVMe SSD. Apart from that, the laptop has different RAM and storage configurations. You can select the one that you want. But if you choose the combination below this, you might run out of RAM while multitasking. And a higher storage option makes your laptop future-proof. The laptop has a 15.6″ FHD IPS display. This display can get 250 nits brightness.

4. Microsoft Surface Pro 8 13″

Microsoft has a large variety of laptops available in the market. They have a laptop for everyone. One such laptop from their list of laptops is the Microsoft Surface Pro 8. The laptop is a 2-in-1 laptop with a detachable keyboard. You can also use it as a tablet if that’s what you want.

The laptop has Intel’s latest 11th Gen Core™ i5 Evo Platform processor. This is Intel’s latest program for laptops that provides a smooth experience for the users. This means that while using Surface Pro 8 for programming, you won’t feel lag of any kind.

And don’t worry, the processor itself is capable of doing the tasks that you’ll give it. It has Intel Iris Xe® Graphics running inside. This combination will surely perform exceptionally on any job that you give it.

For other hardware, the Surface Pro 8 has different options for RAM. It starts from 8 GB and up to 32 GB of LPDDR4 RAM. For storage, it has a 30mm M.2 SSD. When selecting the SSD, you have 128 GB to 1 TB options. This way, you’re independent of whatever RAM and storage combination you want.

It has a 13″ screen touchscreen. This saves you from needing a keyboard at all. However, you can get a keyboard and use it as a proper laptop. And its battery lasts for up to 16 hours on one charge. You have ample storage if you like to work while traveling.

Specifications

• Intel® Evo Platform 11th Gen Core™ i5
• Intel Integrated Iris Xe® Graphics
• 13″ Touchscreen Display.
• 256 GB to 1 TB upgradable SSD.
• 8 GB to 32 GB RAM options.

5. Microsoft Surface laptop 3

This is a dependable laptop that allows you to remain on the go all day long. If you are a serious programmer, you are going to love its features. It comes with optimal battery life. You can use it for 11.5 hours on a single charge. This makes it an extremely user-friendly and portable laptop. You can use it for long periods without the need for charging it again.

It comes with the latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7 and i5 processor. This allows you to carry out multiple tasks without getting the laptop stuck. It encourages you to multi-task. The USB-C and USB-A ports also give you easy connectivity.

The display is 13.5”. This display allows you to have a comfortable viewing experience. The integrated Onedrive allows you to keep your work safe and secure. Nobody can have a look at your work without your permission. You can safeguard it with a password.

The laptop comes with the Vega 9 Graphics Microsoft Surface Edition. This is an advanced Graphic technology which gives you a high-resolution display of the graphics.

This latest generation laptop gives you a powerful performance. You can carry out several tasks on this laptop. It is a versatile laptop that is suitable for programmers, graphic designers, and gamers.

This laptop comes with:

• Vega 9 Graphics Microsoft Surface Edition.
• 10th Gen Intel Core i7 and i5 processor.
• 5-hours long battery life.

6. Dell XPS 15 9510

Dell’s XPS series is their top-notch laptop series. It has different laptop models that suit different users’ needs. With us today is the Dell XPS 15. It is their latest model with newer top-notch hardware. It will surely make it easy for you while you’re coding or programming.

The laptop has an Intel Core i7 11th Gen processor running in it. The processor has 8 cores to run powerful software. While the graphics department is taken care of by NVIDIA RTX 3050Ti. Although this GPU is a Mid-range GPU, it’ll be perfect if you love to game in your free time.

For RAM and Storage, the laptop provides different options. The RAM is available from 16 GB to 64 GB of DDR4. Whereas storage is available from 1 TB to 4 TB of NVMe M.2 SSD. Although the 16 GB RAM and 1 TB storage option are good. But we suggest that you get the higher combination as it will make your laptop future-proof.

The display is a 15.6″ FHD+ display with a 1920 x 1200. To power this, it has a 6-cell 86 Whr battery. The battery gives usage of up to 9 hours. It comes with a 130W charger that will charge your laptop quickly.

7. ASUS VivoBook S15 (10th Gen i7 Processor)

VivoBool S512 is one of those thin and extremely lightweight options that you can use if you prefer to work on the fly. This machine features a 15.6-inch FHD screen that is convenient enough for you to work on a range of different projects.

Under the hood, the laptop has a 16GB RAM along with 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD. So, you have plenty of memory to use for different programming software. This machine runs MX250 GeForce by Nvidia and if you are dealing with graphics, the machine won’t let you slow down.

The machine looks very sleek and features a backlit chiclet keyboard that is very ergonomic to use. If you spend hours sitting in front of your laptop working on your assignments, which normally the programmers do, you will find this machine very helpful and convenient to use.

There is a fingerprint sensor to keep all your data and work safely from any unauthorized use.

Being a developer you have to use your keyboard a lot and Asus has provided you with an ErgoLift keyboard design to ensure your hands and fingers don’t get overworked.

This configuration of the ASUS VivoBook S15 comes with:

• Latest 10th Gen Intel Core i7-10510U (up to 4.9GHz) Processor
• 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 512GB PCIe SSD
• 15.6-inch Full HD display

8. HP 15 for Programmers

This machine by HP gets an upgrade from its predecessor and features Intel’s 10th generation Core i5 chip. It also has a 16GB DDR4 and 512GB SSD. Therefore, if you are looking for power, this machine is a great option.

One of the best features of this system is its bright display touchscreen that allows you to work on your projects in great detail. The WLED touchscreen doesn’t consume much power so the battery timing of this laptop is pretty good. You can work on it for hours without having to recharge it over and over again.

With SSD booting, this machine is pretty fast to boot and can transfer files at a rapid pace. No need to wait for long hours while your files are transferring from one system to another. There are different connectivity options that you can explore for file transferring as well.

The laptop comes with an HDMI port, 1 4b port, a USB 3.1 port, a USB Type C port, and an AC smart pin. But if you work with DVDs you might regret knowing that it doesn’t come with a DVD driver and for that, you need to look elsewhere.

The configuration is:

• 10th Gen Intel Core i5 Quad-Core Processor
• 16GB DDR4 RAM
• 512GB SSD
• 15.6-inch 1080p touchscreen display

9. Acer Aspire 5

Acer has a variety of low-profile laptops available. Although almost all of their latest laptops are perfectly capable of programming and coding. But we chose the Acer Aspire 5 because it is a cheaper laptop with all the premium materials.

The laptop has an Intel® 11th Gen Core™ i7 processor running under the helm. This processor is a power-efficient processor, and even then, it is capable of programming and coding. To support this processor, it has integrated Intel Iris Xe® Graphics. This combination is perfect if you love to game in your free time.

The laptop has 8GB of DDR4 RAM available. This is a good RAM option considering that the laptop is a budget laptop. The laptop has 256 GB of SSD storage. This combination will be perfect for those who are getting into programming.

The laptop has a fingerprint reader installed. It will keep your files safe from theft. And the laptop comes with windows 11 installed. The built-in emulator will surely help you while you’re testing android apps on it.

This Ultra-Thin laptop has a 15.6″ FHD IPS display. The screen is color accurate. So, if you want to edit photos or videos, you’ll get an accurate result. The battery lasts for up to 8 hours.

Specifications

• Intel® 11th Gen Core™ i5
• Intel Integrated Iris Xe® Graphics
• 15.6″ FHD IPS Display.
• 8GB upgradable DDR4 RAM.
• 256 GB upgradable SSD.
• Fingerprint Reader.

10. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9

ThinkPad X1 Carbon is another laptop from Lenovo. It is an Ultrabook with all the premium features you can ask for. It has different combinations available. But we have the one with Intel® 11th Gen Core™ i5 processor.

The processor will surely run all the software you love to program or code. It has enough power to run other much more powerful software on it. The laptop has Intel Iris Xe® Graphics. Although it is an average-performing graphics unit, it will surely handle all the tasks you throw at it.

It comes with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM. The RAM is ample for any task you throw at it. It’ll even let you multitask on the laptop too. So you can program on one side, and on the other, see how it shows up. For storage, it has a 256 GB SSD in it. The storage option is quite low. And that is the problem with the laptop. Once you run out of storage, you’ll have to choose which files to delete and which not to.

It has a 14″ display with a 1920×1200 IPS panel. Its 57Wh battery lasts for up to 13 hours. This ample battery is thanks to its efficient power delivery in the system. The battery will last for a whole day before it requires a recharge.

FAQs:

Final Verdict

These were the top 10 best laptops for programming and game/web development in 2022 under your budget. This year is a great year for developers because there are a lot of new laptops coming this year that have amazing hardware like the new NVIDIA/AMD graphics cards and Intel and AMD Ryzen processors that consume less power and deliver better performance.