Best laptops for programmers for software development in 2022. This article shows you the best laptops to buy as a software engineer, the best features to look for in a programming laptop, and what to consider before buying your dream developing laptop.
Our ultimate pick of the best laptops for programming money can buy. Here we will compare and explore the Best Laptops For Programming to guide you to select the best laptop for coding as per your requirements. Get to know the top laptops for coders, developers, and sysadmins.
If you’re looking for the best laptops for programming in 2022, then you’ve come to the right place. No matter if you’re a professional developer, or a hobbyist getting started, we can help you pick the best laptop for your needs. Programming is the method of creating and executing a computer program to achieve a specific computing result or complete a specific task. The ideal laptop specification for developers, who are either programmers or designers, varies depending on the area.
Laptops for programming are no different than a normal laptop. What makes it different are the high-end features like RAM, processor, graphic card memory, storage, and others.
We’ve compiled a selection of machines to help you achieve just that: maximum productivity for the task at hand. Whether you’re looking to cut down the time you spend compiling code or kick-start a new hobby or career in tech.
What are the best programming laptops to get now?
The top 5 laptops for programmers to buy:
MacBook Pro – Best programming laptops for software developers in 2022
Flaunting an eye-popping 16-inch quad HD LED-backlit IPS Retina display, the Apple MacBook Pro model is undoubtedly the best laptop for programming. It comes with 16 GB RAM and is powered by the 9th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, making it a programming powerhouse.
Apple’s large MacBook Pro 16-inch is the best laptop for programming money can buy right now. Replacing the Intel-powered model from 2019, the MacBook Pro 16-inch (2024) comes with a choice of Apple’s powerful M1 Pro or M1 Max chips, and these make short work of compiling and running even the most complex code.
Not only does the MacBook Pro 16-inch compile code quickly, but it’s also powerful enough to run your code in test environments, including emulated devices that allow you to see how your game or program works on a variety of products. We were incredibly impressed with how Xcode performed on the MacBook Pro 16-inch, so if you’re a developer who specializes in Mac or iOS apps, then this is a brilliant choice.
The large 16-inch screen is gorgeous and makes looking at pages of code comfortable, and the ProMotion adaptive refresh rate means scrolling through code is smooth and responsive. The improved keyboard is another massive boost to this laptop’s coding ability, as it’s the incredible battery life that will allow you to keep coding throughout the day without needing to plug it in.
Dell XPS 15 OLED for software development
Is the Dell XPS 15 good for programming? Its high-resolution 15.6-inch display is great for working on, and with high-end processors (and even graphics cards in some configurations), the Dell XPS 15 can compile code incredibly fast – making it ideal for programmers.
The Dell XPS 15 (2024) is in our view the best laptop for programming right now for people who want a Windows 10 (or Windows 11) laptop. As with previous XPS laptops, this 15-inch beauty combines a stunning design, excellent build quality, and some of the most powerful mobile components you’ll find in a laptop. It’s thin and light, which not only means this looks and feels like a premium laptop for programming on, but it’s also comfortable to carry around with you as well.
You can shave down the price for the XPS 15 OLED by opting for an FHD+ panel instead of the OLED or UHD+ options. It may also improve the battery life of the laptop as our review model, fitted with the 3.5K OLED panel, managed just 6 hours and 58 minutes of uptime during testing. If battery life isn’t so important and your budget can stretch to it, the Dell XPS 15 OLED could be your programming platform of choice for years to come.
HP Spectre x360 – best 2-in-1 laptop for programming
The HP Spectre x360 is a great laptop for developers, especially for those who are always on the move. It comes with Intel’s 10th generation processors with options of 8GB or 16GB for RAM. It also packs a fast SSD, making it an overall speedy package. Under the hood, the Spectre x360 14 sports an 11th Gen Intel Tiger Lake CPU with integrated Iris Xe graphics. This kind of power, especially when paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, makes the Spectre an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a laptop that packs a punch for programmers.
Is HP Spectre x360 powerful? There’s no laptop lighter that can play games better, or manage heat more efficiently. As the sum of its parts, the HP Spectre x360 is a sexy, powerful machine that will do whatever you ask of it. The Spectre’s 2-in-1 design is a benefit to anybody looking to develop apps with mobile devices in mind. With a quick fold, the vivid, edge-to-edge 13.5-inch panel becomes an impressive touchscreen tablet. This is great for quickly showing off a prototype or getting a feel for how your project works in real-time. HP’s laptop also impresses with a comfortable keyboard and a generously sized touchpad.
Google Pixelbook Go – best Chromebook for programming in 2022
Google’s Pixelbook Go is the best Chromebook money can buy right now, and it’s also a fantastic laptop for programming. Coming with a more affordable price tag than its predecessor, the Pixelbook, Google’s latest Chromebook still packs plenty of the premium features the original came with, including amazing battery life, and one of the best keyboards we’ve used on a laptop – an important consideration when looking for a laptop for programming in.
Can you program on a Pixelbook? As of Chromes OS 69, it is possible to run full Linux apps on the Pixelbook. This capability was added specifically to facilitate development functions. All it takes is to go to Settings > Linux to activate the feature, then launch the Terminal application and sudo apt-get install <IDE package name here>
Can I code Python on a Chromebook? A simple way to run Python on your Chromebook is by using the Skulpt Interpreter Chrome app. Skulpt is an entirely in-browser implementation of Python. When you run the code, it is fully executed on your browser.
It features some impressive specs for a Chromebook, which ensures that Chrome OS positively flies on this device, and puts its performance on par with many of the more expensive Windows laptops and MacBooks.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon – best business laptop for programming in 2022
Is the Lenovo X1 Carbon good for coding? The Best All-Around Programming Lenovo Laptop – The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is the first that we are recommending for a mid-range coding laptop. This laptop is equipped with up to 11th Gen Intel Core i7 processors maximum of 4.20GHz which is more than enough for coding. Lenovo’s X1 Carbon is one of the best laptops you can buy. At 2.5 pounds, it’s lightweight, thin, and very portable. It offers plenty of power for most tasks, all-day battery life, and—unlike its competition—plenty of ports for all of your accessories.
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon keeps all the things that made the original ThinkPad so great and tweaks it to near perfection. A best-in-class keyboard, a durable lightweight chassis, a generous supply of ports, and a great aesthetic all make a reappearance. New to this revision is a powerful 11th Gen Intel Core CPU with Iris Xe graphics, a new 16:10 14-inch display, and an improved battery life which blew past the 15-hour mark in our tests.
Configurations also allow for up to 32GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, and what results is the best ThinkPad X1 Carbon to date. More still, you get a very competent machine for programmers of all branches to make use of. Its impressive battery can keep you working on the move, and you’ll be able to code in comfort for hours thanks to one of the best laptop keyboards available.
What to look for when buying a laptop for programming in 2022:
Programming can be done on many different types of machines but many programmers want something more than just a basic laptop. While you don’t necessarily need a powerhouse of a laptop to code on, if you need to compile your code, and test out the games you’re working on, for example, then you’ll want a laptop with plenty of RAM and a modern multi-core processor. They are able to compile code much more quickly. And, the less time you have to spend waiting for your laptop to complete complex tasks, the more time you have to do other things – such as take on more projects.
There are a ton of laptop makes and models out there—from the overpowered desktop replacements and gaming laptops to the thin and light ultrabooks, and the expensive MacBooks to the budget Chromebook models.
While some models are explicitly marketed for some industries and uses, like business, creatives, students, and gaming, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a laptop specifically made for programmers.
So, if you’re looking for a new device to get your coding done, take a look at the essential characteristics programmers want from a laptop.
- Display: The laptop display is one major thing that a programmer should consider. That’s because this is what you’ll be looking at nearly 99% of the time when working.
- Big Built-In Screen
- External Display Support
- Processor: As with any application, it’s always better to have a high-performing processor. However, we do recognize that not everyone has an unlimited budget
- RAM: Whether you’re buying a laptop for office work, programming, or gaming, today’s minimum recommended RAM is 8GB.
- Storage: If you want your computer to perform quickly, you should ensure it has an SSD. In 2022, 256GB is the bare minimum for computers.
- Operating System: Your OS choice will depend on what type of programming you’re doing. Are you working with mostly Mac systems? Or do you also compile programs for Windows? Do you prefer Linux systems, or do you need to work with all OS types?
- Keyboard: While they’re not as glamorous as processors or monitors, you will appreciate a decent keyboard as a programmer.
- Battery Life: If you’re always on the go, you may want a laptop with a battery that will last you all day. Some of the currently reigning champions of this category include the Apple M1 MacBook Pro, the Lenovo ThinkPad X1, and the HP Envy 14.
If you’re the type of programmer who can work anywhere, you’re going to appreciate a powerful programming laptop with you. That way, you can work efficiently wherever you are.
So, if you’re a freelance programmer or if your company lets you work outside, then you can truly call yourself a digital nomad. Besides, COVID-19 has made work from home more popular than ever.
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