7 best laptop models for programmers

 What kind of device is suitable for writing code, or what kind of hardware must be owned to facilitate programming? Answering questions like this is not simple at all, especially when you don't have much hardware expertise.

Fortunately, the current laptop market is very large, with dozens of products from many different manufacturers, spanning all segments, so there will be no shortage of reasonable options for programmers. Programmers depend on the budget they have and especially their actual usage needs. Below is a list of 7 highly rated laptop models for work related to coding and programming, in many different price segments, hoping to become a useful reference channel for you. And now, let's get to our list right here.

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Elements that a good laptop for programmers must have

Before getting to the list, first we must clearly determine what characteristics and specifications a good computer for coding and programming must possess. While these factors may vary depending on your particular type of work, there will still be a basic 'framework' that you need to consider:

1. Processor: Minimum 8th generation Intel Core i5, or i7 for VR and game development.
2. RAM: Minimum 8GB, for game and VR development, 16GB or more.
3. Hard drive: Must be a solid state drive (SSD) to increase boot speed and data loading.
4. Screen and graphics: An HD screen is the minimum requirement in this case (just helping you read information well is enough). However, game developers will need to add a dedicated graphics card.
5. Keyboard: A bad keyboard can ruin the user experience, no matter how good the specs are!

There are of course exceptions to these requirements, but as a general rule, any laptop that meets all of the above specifications will be ideal for writing-related tasks. coding and programming.

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List of the best laptops for programmers

1. Macbook Pro 16-inch (2021)

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Basic technical parameter:

CPU: Apple M1 Pro 10 core or M1 Max 10 core | Graphics: Integrated 16 cores or 32 cores | RAM: Maximum 64GB | Screen: Liquid Retina XDR size 16.2 inches | Memory: SSD + HDD up to 8TB

Advantage

1. Battery life is extremely good
2. Strong and personable

Defect

1. Expensive

Apple's large MacBook Pro 16-inch laptop is really worth the attention of programmers at this time. Using Apple's self-developed M1 Max or M1 Pro CPU, the new MacBook Pro offers extremely powerful performance and great battery life. Furthermore, app development tools for Mac and iOS will work really smoothly on MacBook Pro.

The MacBook's great display also contributes to creating more great, color-accurate products for programmers and application developers.

2. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4

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Basic technical parameter:

CPU: Up to 11th generation Intel Core i9 with vPro technology | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050Ti with Max-Q technology, up to RTX 3080 | RAM: Maximum 64GB | Screen: 16 inches (2560x1600) - 16 inches (3480x2400) - 16 inches touch (3840 x 2400) | Memory: SSD up to 2TB

Advantage

1. Good performance
2. Stunning 4K screen
3. Great user experience

Defect

1. Too powerful compared to common needs
2. Quite expensive

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme is a good laptop for programming. This laptop was also voted as one of Lenovo's best laptops. The device is available in a number of configurations, depending on the user's needs and budget, but even at the most basic level, it is still quite powerful, equipped with a good graphics card, and a carbon fiber exterior design. and sturdy aluminum.

3. Razer Blade 17 (2022)

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Basic technical parameter:

CPU: 12th generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Graphics | RAM: 32GB DDR5 | Screen: 17.3 inch QHD, 240Hz, G-Sync | Memory: 1TB SSD

Advantage

1. Cool design with great keyboard
2. Peak performance
3. Lots of ports
4. Great screen

Defect

1. Poor battery life
2. Expensive

To be exact, the Razer Blade 17 is a laptop specifically for gamers. However, with its great performance, large screen and top-notch keyboard, this laptop is perfectly suitable for programmers. Its only downside probably lies in its high price.

4. LG Gram 17 (2021)

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Basic technical parameter:

CPU: 10th generation Intel Core i7 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3000 Series | RAM: up to 64GB | Screen: 17 inches | Memory: 1TB SSD

Advantage

1. Extremely light
2. Great battery life

Defect

1. Not really strong
2. Touchpad quality is not satisfactory

If you want a laptop with a large screen but is thin and light so you can easily carry it when needed, LG Gram is a valuable choice. Furthermore, this LG laptop also stands out thanks to its excellent battery life, very suitable for programmers who often have to work outside the office.

5. Dell XPS Series (2022)

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Basic technical parameter:

CPU: 12th generation Intel Core i7 - i9 | Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce 3050 TI | RAM: up to 64GB | Screen: size 13, 15, 17 inches, FHD+, 3.5K, UHD+ resolution depending on option | Memory: SSD 512GB - 2TB

Advantage

1. Strong
2. Diverse configuration options
3. Gorgeous screen

Defect

1. Expensive

Dell's XPS laptop line always receives positive reviews from users. Not only are they a great choice for businessmen, Dell XPS models are also really great for users who need to handle heavy work such as programmers, graphic designers.

6. Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

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Basic technical parameter:

CPU: 11th generation Intel Core i5 - i7/AMD Ryzen 5 - 7 | Graphics: Intel Irus Xe/AMD Radeon | RAM: 8 - 32GB | Screen: 13.5-inch PixelSense touchscreen (2256 x 1504) | Memory: SSD 256GB - 1TB

Advantage

1. Comfortable keyboard
2. Great screen

Defect

1. Missing connection port
2. Alcantara fabric degrades over time

If you are a programmer who regularly works with Windows applications, a Microsoft Surface Laptop will be extremely suitable for you. Currently, the Surface Laptop 4 is the latest version you can buy. If you're not in a hurry, you can wait for the Surface Laptop 5 to launch to avoid being outdated.

7. Google Pixelbook (36.4 million VND)

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Basic technical parameter:

CPU: 7th generation Intel Core i5 - i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 8 - 16GB | Screen: 12.3-inch LCD (2400 x 1600) (235 ppi) | Memory: 128GB, 256GB or 512GB SSD

Advantage

1. Beautiful design
2. Great keyboard

Defect

1. Chrome OS is not as customizable as other operating systems

This Chromebook is also listed in the list of best laptops for programming. That's because the Google Pixelbook is powerful (and beautiful) enough to compete with other Surfaces and MacBooks. Admittedly, ChromeOS is not as good an operating system for programming as Windows or macOS. However, the Pixelbook's Android support makes it a must-have laptop for any Android developer.

Why is it necessary to buy a laptop suitable for programming?

Although you can use almost any laptop for programming, not all laptops serve that purpose well. You'll get the job done, but you won't be able to work as efficiently as you'd like. If you're already a programmer (or are planning to become one), you'll want to choose your new device carefully.

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Each programmer has different needs. Choose a device that suits all your needs and supports all the tools you have.

For example, game development using Unreal Engine 4 requires better hardware than developing for JavaScript. Unreal Engine requires at least 8GB of RAM and a Quad-core Intel or AMD processor with a clock speed of 2.5GHz or higher. React Native will work well on any computer.

Why shouldn't you use a regular laptop for programming?

You can advocate using a regular laptop for programming, considering that the device is not always everything and you can write code on any device. Even a regular laptop will be fine if you want to get work done right away, right? If that's what you're thinking, you're absolutely right.

It's true that owning an ideal laptop cannot replace the ability to work effectively. You can have the best laptop in the world and still not get anything done. While you'd love to have a machine that's right for the job, it's not a requirement.

As mentioned, you still should not use a regular laptop for programming. At least not in the long run.

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Most manufacturers in the market build entry-level laptops with minimal features. The home computer will perform all the essential office tasks, while also serving as an auxiliary entertainment center.

You can also use it to write code, but you will struggle because of slower performance. Any serious programmer knows that building web applications, games, and software is a demanding job. Low device memory, poor processing speed, and unimpressive screen quality only make a challenging coding session more difficult.

Many manufacturers often use low-quality materials and components on regular PCs, which can lead to disappointment for you. You will have to face too many lags, glitches, crashes, and sudden shutdowns.

Worse still, it could take you months to get the job done if your system crashes. No one wants that.

For these reasons, you need to choose the best laptop for programmers that the article suggested above.

Choosing the best laptop for programming work is not as difficult as you think

Ultimately, choosing the best laptop for programming will depend on two main factors, which are your actual usage needs and your budget. This list contains options both low-cost as well as high-end and with a variety of uses, but is by no means comprehensive. If you are looking for a less good alternative, you can refer to our article 'Best laptops under 12 million according to each criterion' to find for yourself the most reasonable choice.

Hope you can choose a product that suits you!

Jessica Tanner

Update 03 July 2024