Top 5 best laptops for programming 2024

Top 5 best laptops for programming 2024

Top 5 best laptops for programming 2024 Modern laptops have become so capable that you can use almost any laptop for almost anything. The best laptops are often reserved for more specific and complex uses. However, some types of users prefer certain kinds of customizations when buying a new laptop. When it comes to purchasing a new laptop, coders and programmers don’t always get as much attention as content creators and students, which is why we thought we’d take some time to narrow down some excellent laptops for coding and programming. As you read on, you’ll find our best laptops for coding and programming, including large-screen coding laptops and 2-in-1 coding laptops, along with our overall best laptop for coding and programming.

Best laptops for programming

A hacker typing on an Apple MacBook laptop held in their hands. Both devices display code on their screens.
Sora Shimazaki / Pexels
Modern laptops have become so capable that you can use almost any laptop for almost anything. The best laptops are often reserved for more specific and complex uses. However, some types of users prefer certain kinds of customizations when buying a new laptop. When it comes to purchasing a new laptop, coders and programmers don’t always get as much attention as content creators and students, which is why we thought we’d take some time to narrow down some excellent laptops for coding and programming. As you read on, you’ll find our best laptops for coding and programming, including large-screen coding laptops and 2-in-1 coding laptops, along with our overall best laptop for coding and programming.

Choosing a laptop for coding and programming

When it comes to buying a new laptop for coding and programming, there’s a lot to consider. Most base laptop models won’t have the necessary configuration for you, so perhaps the most important thing to look for is customization capability. Can you add some extra RAM? Can you upgrade the processor? While almost any laptop can handle programming tasks adequately, the next step is finding a laptop that you can configure yourself.

Performance :

When buying a new laptop for coding and programming, you’ll definitely want to consider performance. If you’re developing powerful software, powerful processors will ensure your entire day runs smoothly. If you’re working with high-resolution graphics and images, you’ll also want to load up on RAM.

Display :

Coding requires a good deal of precise visual skills, which means the ability to scroll through thousands of lines of code on your screen all day. Excellent display quality ensures a meaningful experience. Larger displays will provide more screen real estate and allow for more lines of code to be displayed at once, but be mindful of anything that strains the eyes, like blue light reduction technology. Higher screen resolution also contributes to reducing eye strain. The sharper the image on the screen, the less effort your eyes and brain have to put into interpreting it.

Connectivity :

Last but not least is connectivity. Many programmers will want to expand their screen real estate at some point, and it’s essential to ensure your laptop has the proper connection ports for an external monitor. Any of the best monitors will work here, but when it comes to laptops, you’ll want to see HDMI, USB-C, and even Thunderbolt 4 connection ports.

1. MacBook Pro 14-inch M3

Totality of the Best Laptops for Coding and Programming

Using Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch on the table.

Pros:

Gorgeous display that could quickly become expensive.
Apple’s software ecosystem
Loads of customization
Up to 7 connection ports
Apple has introduced a new generation of MacBook Pros with a switch to make your own processor. In the latest refresh, you have options like the M3 processor, M3 Pro processor, and M3 Max processor. The Apple MacBook Pro M3 is one of the most impactful laptops in the market. It features an extremely dynamic range 14-inch Liquid Retina display. It will definitely be easy on the eyes and make scrolling through all those lines of code that come with programming easy and interpreting it a breeze. You can load the MacBook Pro with specific features of your choice, and with all its performance capabilities, it can run for up to 22 hours on a single battery charge.

Features:

14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display
Apple M3, M3 Pro, M3 Max processors
Up to 128GB of RAM
Battery life up to 22 hours

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 11)

The Best Windows Laptop for Coding and Programming

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 11)popular ThinkPad lineup ends its sale – ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Pros:

Intel processor
Average battery life
Powerful foundation hardware
Less blue light technology
Often available at a discount
While many people prefer the Apple brand and its laptops, many do not. This might especially hold true for coders who often prefer working on a platform other than Apple’s operating system. If you’re a coder who favors the Windows software foundation, then we’d like to steer you towards the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. The 11th generation model is highly customizable to your liking, featuring powerful features like up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of internal solid-state storage in many configurations. Lenovo’s ThinkPad lineup generally has a lot to offer for coders and programmers, so you might also consider our Lenovo ThinkPad buying guide.

Specifications:

Operating System: Windows 11
Display: 14-inch Full HD+, 400 nits, 60Hz
RAM: Up to 128GB
Internal Storage: Up to 4TB SSD

3. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Coding and Programming

Surface Pro 9 shines on the table in laptop mode.

Pros:

High touchscreen capability
Superior performance within limits
Use as tablet or laptop
Portability
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is a powerful tool crafted for those who demand excellence to the utmost degree. It can be used as both a traditional laptop and a tablet, making it a fantastic laptop for versatile coders and programmers. Despite its more tablet-like form factor, it comes with laptop-level software. Surface Pro 9 competes well with tablets like the Apple iPad Pro, but it can also handle tasks akin to laptops like the Dell XPS 13. It’s configurable with up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of internal solid-state storage. However, perhaps the most appealing feature for coders and programmers is its touchscreen display. It can make navigating between lines of code and open apps a breeze.

Specifications:

Display: 13-inch touchscreen, QHD resolution
RAM: 8GB, 16GB, 32GB
Internal Storage: Up to 1TB SSD

4. Dell XPS 17

The Dell XPS 17 Best Large Screen Laptop for Coding and Programming

Pros:

Superb Build Quality
Highly Customizable Design
Provides Optional 4K Display
Offers Solid Performance
Known for Excellent Construction Quality

Cons:

Aging Design
Average Battery Life
For decades, Dell has been known as one of the best laptop brands, and with the XPS 17, Dell offers a bigger display compared to most laptops. Indeed, the Dell XPS 17 comes with a 17-inch display at Full HD resolution, but it can also be configured with a fast, more immersive 4K resolution display. In fact, you can configure quite a lot with the XPS 17, including up to 64GB of RAM and up to 8TB of internal solid-state storage. The XPS 17 is powered by the latest 13th-gen Intel processors, which will provide ample power for programming tasks. And despite the additional screen real estate, the laptop’s size is somewhat increased. The XPS 17 might occupy a tad more room in your backpack, yet it makes up for it by offering an abundance of connectivity ports and robust internal hardware configurations.

Specifications:

Display: 17-inch Full HD, 17-inch 4K
RAM: Up to 16GB, 32GB, 64GB
Internal Storage: Up to 8TB Solid State

5. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M2

The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M2 Best Portable Laptop for Coding and Programming

Pros:

Exceptionally Thin and Lightweight
Powerful M2 Processor
Thunderbolt Connectivity
Impressive Battery Life

Specifications:

Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina
RAM: Up to 8GB, 16GB, 24GB
Battery Life: Up to 18 hours