Last Updated on October 16, 2022 by naomienatasha
It can be daunting to pick out a new laptop when there are so many options available. I’ve put together this guide with my recommendations to help you find the best laptop for writing code or programming.
Each of these computers is powerful enough to handle just about any task programming you throw at it, from writing code and debugging programs to rendering 3D graphics and video editing. They also come with Intel’s latest processors for maximum power efficiency and battery life.
The Reviews Are Based on my Experiences
My recommendations are based on my personal experience using these machines over the past few years, along with feedback from readers like yourself who have shared their experiences with us online.
1. HP 17-inch Laptop, 11th Generation Intel Core i5-1135G7, Intel Iris Xe Graphics
This is a great laptop for programming because it has a lot of power and is a good size for coding. The screen is very large and makes it easy to see your code and test it out. It has a nice keyboard that makes typing easy and comfortable.
Has a Powerful Processor
The HP ENVY 17t Touch comes with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor that can handle any task you throw at it. This laptop also has 16GB of RAM so you won’t have any issues running multiple applications at once or running heavy programs.
The 256GB SSD lets you store all of your important data here without worrying about having enough room because there are plenty of options available if needed.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen Laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen is a laptop that will be perfect for any programming job. It comes with an Intel Core i5-1135G7 quad-core processor, which is more than enough to handle your daily tasks.
Its 20GB of RAM and 1TB PCIe SSD will ensure that you have plenty of memory available for multitasking. If you need to store large files or programs, the laptop also has a 256GB solid-state drive, so you don’t have to worry about lag when accessing documents or programs stored on this drive.
Features Full HD Resolution
The 15.6″ display features Full HD resolution and touch capability, so it’s perfect for browsing the web or watching movies while traveling on the go. It also has a backlit keyboard so you can type in the dark without straining your eyes.
As far as ports go, this laptop offers two USB ports (1 USB Type-C), an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, an SD card reader, and a headphone jack.
How to Buy the Best Laptops for Programming or Web Development?
If you’re a coder, you need a good laptop. And not just any laptop for programming and writing code — a powerful one that can handle all sorts of tasks: writing code, compiling projects, and running virtual machines.
To find the best laptops for programmers and coders, I reached out to several experts across the industry to ask them what they look for in a laptop. The responses were varied, but there were some common themes: speed, power, and durability are at the top of the list.
What You Need to Know About Programming
Programming is the act of creating instructions that computers can follow. There are many different types of programming languages that can be used to create these instructions, including C++, Java, Python, and JavaScript.
A programmer will write code that is then compiled into a program that can be run on the user’s computer or device. This can range from simple programs like calculator apps to more complex programs like word processors or games.
Processor (CPU)
“The faster it is, the better,” says Jeff Atwood, co-founder of Stack Overflow and Coding Horror. “I’ve found that speed makes everything easier.”
The processor is one of the most important components in your laptop for programming or writing code. The processor is what processes all of the commands and instructions that you give your laptop, so it’s important that it is fast enough to run the programs and applications that you use.
Do You Need a Powerful Laptop for Programming?
Yes, you need a powerful laptop for programming. A Powerful laptop for programming has CPUs with at least four cores. Four cores are better than two, and eight are better than four.
The speed of your CPU is measured in gigahertz (GHz). You don’t need to know much about GHz to get started, but it’s worth noting that the higher the GHz rating on your processor, the faster your machine will run.
The best way to find out if a laptop has a good CPU is by looking at its benchmark score on PassMark or Cinebench. Both programs will test your computer’s performance and give you an idea of how well it will perform when running coding software like Visual Studio Code (VSC).
Intel or AMD Computer Processors
When it comes to processors, you have two options: Intel or AMD. Intel processors are more expensive, but they are also faster and more reliable than AMD processors. If you’re on a budget, however, an AMD processor may be more affordable and still provide adequate performance for most coding work.
RAM (Random Access Memory)
Peter Bright from Ars Technica recommends looking for a laptop with lots of RAM memory so that you can run multiple programs at once without having them slow down or crash your computer altogether.
RAM (Random Access Memory) is another key factor to consider when buying a laptop for coding. RAM is the short-term memory that stores data while you’re working on it. If you have too little RAM, then when you open too many applications at once, your computer may become slow and sluggish as it struggles to manage all of this data.
The more RAM your computer has, the more tasks it can perform at once without slowing down (called multitasking).
Good programming laptops typically come with at least 8GB of RAM but 16GB is ideal if you plan on running multiple programs simultaneously or working with large files.
Operating System
Next, you want to make sure that the operating system is compatible with your chosen programming language(s). For example, if you plan on using Linux or macOS then make sure that the laptop comes with an OS that supports those operating systems (Windows 10 does not support Linux or macOS).
This is especially important if you’re planning on doing any sort of cross-platform development (like developing mobile apps for Android and iOS).
Hard Drive Size
A good rule of thumb is to get at least 500GB of storage space, but if you plan on keeping lots of files on your computer, try for at least 1TB. If you’re planning on storing lots of photos and videos, consider getting a solid-state drive (SSD).
This type of storage is faster than regular hard drives, but pricier as well — so look for something that offers both SSD and HDD options, or else just go with an all-SSD model.
Screen Resolution
Resolution refers to how many pixels there are on your screen. The higher the resolution, the better quality images will appear on the screen.
However, more pixels require more processing power from your computer’s graphics card. If you’re planning on using your laptop solely for coding, then high resolution might not be necessary since you will rarely need to view images or videos on screen.
But if you plan on doing any programming work with graphics (such as creating games), then higher resolutions may be worth investing in because they can allow for better quality images and videos without sacrificing performance or battery life as much as lower resolutions do.
Weight
If you’re going to be sitting at your desk all day, then the weight is less of an issue than if you plan on taking your laptop out with you when you travel or go on vacation.
Lightweight Laptop for Programming
However, if you’re going to be carrying your laptop around with you regularly, then it’s worth considering how heavy it is. Some people prefer lightweight laptops because they can carry them around more easily.
They also tend to cost less than those that weigh more because they use fewer materials in their construction. In terms of weight, most modern laptops fall into one of three categories: light (less than 3 pounds), medium (3-4 pounds), or heavy (more than 4 pounds).
Screen Size
Screen size refers to how much “real estate” is available on a monitor or display device such as a TV or projector screen from one side of the screen to another. The larger the screen, the more information can be displayed at once.
This is especially useful for coding because it allows you to see more lines of code at once. A larger screen also helps with multitasking by allowing multiple windows and apps to be open at the same time.
Touchscreen Input
Touchscreens allow users to interact directly with their devices using their fingers instead of using a mouse or trackpad. Touchscreens are becoming increasingly common these days, but not all laptops have them (and not all people like using touchscreens).
If you’re not sure whether you’ll like using a touchscreen and don’t want to buy one only to find out later that you won’t use it much, try out some different devices in person before buying one and see what feels most comfortable for you.
A Good Keyboard
The best laptop for coding should have a good keyboard. When you’re typing code, you’ll spend more time on the keyboard than any other part of your computer.
A laptop with a bad keyboard will slow you down and make you unhappy, so it’s worth spending some time checking out reviews to see what other people say about their keyboards.
Battery Life
Writing Code requires lots of typing and clicking, and you’ll want your laptop to last as long as possible between charges. If you’re on the go a lot, look for a laptop that can last more than four hours on a single charge.
If you’re using your laptop at home most of the time, something with less than four hours should be fine; just make sure you grab an external charger so you don’t get stuck without power while working away.
Touchpad/Trackpad
Even if you prefer using an external mouse when coding, having a good touchpad and trackpad can make using your laptop much more comfortable and efficient.
You’ll definitely want one with multitouch functionality so that you can pinch-to-zoom and rotate images without having to use keyboard shortcuts or a mouse button.