By investing in one of the best laptops for coding and programming we can create games, earn money by enhancing e-commerce platforms for our careers and invite a whole new world of STEM learning to kids. All while being on the go, instead of tied to a desk in the office or at home.
Modern desktop computers can be made from scratch, or assembled wholesale from a manufacturer and performance is sky-high but so is the price. Plus, there’s no flexibility when it comes to working on your code remotely. Instead, jump on a PC laptop or Macbook, load up your favorite coding software and from anywhere in the world you’ll be able to start creating.
Not all laptops and notebooks are created equally though. We’ve fully reviewed and tested the best laptops for programming and given them a thorough hands-on review. Two areas we’d recommend investing in is a laptop with a powerful central processing unit (CPU) and a decent speed and capacity of RAM. Being limited by your ability is one thing, but after a while of learning you’ll want to fly with your coding, not be hindered because you’ve invested in a laptop spec a grade lower than you ideally need.
If you’re working on games programming it might be worth considering a laptop with a dedicated Nvidia or AMD graphics card, instead of integrated graphics that run from the CPU. This helps reduce the load on the processor and takes advantage of graphics-hungry processes.
Laptops with large screens, we have found, are easier to use for coding and software development, but all laptops have the ability to be plugged into external monitors too, so the grab-and-go approach is more feasible with a powerful laptop.
Not sure where to start? We also have a guide covering the differences between coding vs programming, a beginner’s guide on how to learn to code, and a guide to the best online coding courses so you can get started wherever you are in the world.
Best laptops for coding & programming we recommend in 2024
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Best laptop overall
Professionals have long favored Apple’s machines, and that remains true with the MacBook Pro 16 – it ticks every box required for high-end programming.
Apple’s 10-core M1 Pro processor is a powerhouse. Combine that with the 32GB of memory and the 16-core graphics chip and you’ve got a machine that will handle any programming situation, from complex coding and compiling to running virtual machines. The battery easily lasts a full day, too.
The Liquid Retina XDR is sensational. Its 3456 x 2234 native resolution and 1000-nit brightness level means everything looks gorgeous, and you’ve got the width and on-screen space to spread work around.
The keyboard is crisp and comfortable, so it’s well-suited for all-day typing, and this machine has an SD card slot, three Thunderbolt ports and Magsafe power connectivity. It looks superb, and it’s got rock-solid build quality.
Downsides are minimal. Some people won’t like the camera notch, and the MacBook is a little heavier than many other productivity portables. There’s no HDMI 2.1. It’s expensive, too: the model we reviewed costs $2,899/£2,799. Pricing starts at $2,499/£2,399, and the cost can easily soar beyond $3,000/ £3,000.
This is the sort of laptop that will last for years, though, and it’s an unbeatable programming machine. There is a newer M2 version out now as well, which we’re currently testing, but it’s largely the same machine with a slightly faster chip.
Best Windows laptop
Dell’s XPS machines are the firm’s answer to Apple’s MacBook Pro, so it’s no surprise that the Dell XPS 15 is impressive. It looks fantastic, with a robust aluminum body, and its keyboard is comfortable and fast – ideal for long days of typing.
On the inside, the XPS is available with Intel Core i7 and Core i9 processors. Both are excellent: the Core i7 chip can easily tackle most mainstream programming situations, while the Core i9 part is well-suited to running virtual machines and emulated environments too.
It’s easy enough to upgrade this machine with more memory and storage, and you even get a modest Nvidia GPU for extra graphical grunt in content-creation tools. And while the Dell XPS 15 is not cheap, prices start at £1,999 / $2,299 for a notebook with a high-resolution screen, so it’s more affordable than a MacBook.
The XPS is available with three screens: two IPS models and one OLED panel. For programming, we’d recommend the higher-resolution IPS or OLED displays, which are both excellent. They’ve got 16:10 aspect ratios, which deliver extra vertical space, and the slightly wayward color accuracy doesn’t impact on programming.
Elsewhere, the XPS 15 has enough battery life to make it through your working day. And while it does have a couple of Thunderbolt ports and an SD card slot, there’s no HDMI output and no full-size USB connectivity.
Best for on-the-go
The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is a great laptop for programming if you want a stylish, lightweight device with great battery life and a touchscreen.
The 15-inch version is our preferred choice, and there’s lots to like: the 3:2 display has a high resolution, impressive quality, and top-notch compatibility with Microsoft’s excellent Surface Pen.
The soft keyboard is comfortable, and the exterior is robust enough to handle life on the road. The Surface’s body is only 14.7mm thick and it only weighs 1.54kg, so it’s lighter than most 15-inch productivity laptops, and its battery life stretches beyond twelve hours. The only downside is a lack of ports.
On the inside, the 15-inch model comes with AMD Ryzen 7 and Intel Core i7 processors. They’re low-power chips, but they can still handle mainstream processing. The AMD chip is better than the Intel part, so stick with that, and bear in mind that there’s no dedicated graphics.
Prices start at a reasonable $899/£799 for the 13.5-inch base model, though we’d recommend you go for the 15-inch AMD Ryzen 7 configuration which will set you back a bit more at $1,699/£1,649, so the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 is cheaper than its beefier rivals. It’s great if you need programming power away from the house.
Best budget laptop
The HP Envy x360 13 is the cheapest machine in this round-up, with prices that almost always duck under $1,000/£1,000. For that money you can pick from a wide array of AMD and Intel processors, but we’d always recommend AMD Ryzen 7 chips with 16GB of memory – those are superb choices for programming, even if full-power laptop chips offer a bit more pace.
The HP is the only convertible in this group, too, adding another dimension to this notebook. Swing its 360-degree hinge around and use the included stylus and you can deploy this machine as a tablet.
The HP’s lightweight body and 13.3-inch display means it’s easy to carry this machine around, and it has a reasonable port selection and a fast, comfortable keyboard. You’ll get between nine and eleven hours of battery life, so it’ll last through most working days.
Bear in mind, though, that the lower price does mean some compromises. You can’t go beyond 16GB of memory or 512GB of SSD space, and there’s no discrete graphics. And while the 1080p display is fine for everyday programming, it’s easily bettered elsewhere.
Despite that, there’s loads to like: the Envy is affordable, well-built, and fast enough for mainstream programming, so it’s a great mid-range choice.
Best travel-friendly Mac
The Apple MacBook Pro’s 16-inch model might be our favorite programming portable, but its smaller stablemate is fantastic too – especially if you need to code on the road.
The MacBook Pro 13 only weighs 1.4kg and it’s slim, so you’ll barely notice it in your bag. On the inside, Apple’s smallest MacBook Pro has an M1 chip with eight cores, and it’s an excellent bit of silicon with ample power for mainstream programming workloads. It compiles quickly, it’s a capable multi-tasker, and it’s especially good for Mac OS and iOS developers.
Apple’s 13.3-inch display has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, which means crisp imagery for programming tasks, and it’s got bright, bold colors. Fifteen-hour battery life means you can program for your working day and both commutes. This machine has a comfortable keyboard, and the customizable Touch Bar adds another layer of usefulness.
This smaller MacBook Pro isn’t available with more than 16GB of memory, so high-end programmers may look elsewhere. Connectivity is limited, too – this notebook only a headphone jack and a couple of Thunderbolt ports.
Those issues and the MacBook’s size mean it won’t work as a main machine for most programmers, but it can tackle programming on the road – so it’s an ideal secondary option. If you want the 16GB model, prepare to pay at least $1,499/£1,499.
Best for portable power
We like this Lenovo as an all-round work PC, and that’s a solid base for a coding laptop. Here’s the crux: the Lenovo Slim 7i Pro X is both powerful and portable, and weighs an eminently manageable 1.45kg.
It’s available with a decent Nvidia RTX 3050 graphics card, an option you should pick if you plan on coding something that will have 3D elements.
The keyboard feels good, which always earns a laptop a healthy stack of appreciation for all-day work. And while the screen is not huge, at 14in, it sure is sharp. This makes windows packed with info easier on the eyes.
Our Intel CPU review model’s battery didn’t last hugely long off a charge, which may be an issue if you’ll spend long stretches away from a charger. However, AMD CPU versions are available too, and typically are a bit easier on the juice due to the way performance is cut down more when running off battery power. You’ll pay around $1,435 and £1,330 for the Intel model, $1,287 or £1,189 for the AMD ones.
Best for being lightweight
There’s always a more extreme choice if you want a lightweight laptop for programming on the move: The Apple MacBook Air. This notebook only weighs 1.29kg and it’s barely half an inch thick, so it’s never going to weigh you down.
Remarkably, Apple has still found room inside the Air for an M1 processor. That’s impressive – combine that with 16GB of memory and you’ve got the power to handle any mainstream programming task, even if the fanless design here means that the MacBook Pro 13 maintains high-end speeds for longer.
The reliably quick internals are paired with a responsive keyboard and a typically great screen. The 13.3-inch diagonal might not deliver loads of space, but the 2560 x 1600 resolution means everything is crisp. Expect eleven hours of battery life from this machine.
Apple’s slimmest machine is tiny, powerful, and robust. For a 16GB model you’ll have to pay £1,199 / $1,199, so it’s not ruinously expensive either. Negatively, you can’t make big memory upgrades, and the Air only has two Thunderbolt ports.
Still, the Air is a top choice if you want a powerful programming laptop that’s as light as possible. Be aware, though, that the MacBook Pro 13 has better battery life and more storage upgrade options, and is only slightly larger
Best for gaming
The Alienware x14 is a gaming laptop, but don’t let that put you off if you need a small notebook for coding – it’s sturdy and enormously powerful.
It’s equipped with impressive Intel Core i5-12500H or i7-12700H processors – the former is well-suited for mainstream coding while the latter handles tougher jobs – and can be configured with large SSDs and either 16 GB or 32 GB of memory.
Alienware’s rig has a fast, crisp keyboard and its sturdy chassis has Thunderbolt 4 ports, full-size USB connectors and a microSD card slot. Its webcam has Windows Hello facial recognition, and the entire device weighs just 3.94 lbs (1.79 kg) and is 0.57 in (14.5 mm) thick – so it won’t take up much space.
The 1080 p display isn’t large, but it has ample quality for indoor and outdoor work and a 144 Hz refresh rate for gaming – a fine partner for an Nvidia GeForce GPU.
The Alienware’s gaming pedigree does mean you get middling battery life – expect five hours. The trackpad isn’t very big. And the x14 isn’t cheap, either: the entry-level models cost $1,499 / £1,549, but you’ll have to pay at least $1,599 / £1,905 for a Core i7 processor.
There’s always a price on compact design, though, and if you’ve got the cash then the Alienware x14 delivers great programming performance in a small, sturdy design.
Best all-rounder
The Spectre is one of the best-looking laptops we’ve seen for ages, and it’s got a specification to match its stunning alloy exterior.
The good-looking, robust chassis contains a 16 in OLED touchscreen that delivers incredible quality alongside a 4K-busting resolution. The convertible design means this rig can work as a laptop, tented screen or tablet – and the HP comes with a top-notch stylus.
Those features add versatility, and there’s plenty to like elsewhere. The keyboard is fantastic, the rig has Thunderbolt ports, a microSD slot and an HDMI 2.1 output, and its excellent 5 mp webcam ensures video call clarity. The HP has a fingerprint reader, a battery that lasts all day and a chassis that weighs 2 kg, which is a good figure for a 16 in notebook.
On the inside, the combination of Intel’s Core i7-1260P processor and A370M GPU is ideal for most coding tasks, although it won’t cope with the toughest programming situations.
That’s a reasonable compromise when this rig costs around $1,500 / £1,500, though – that’s a tremendous price for a 16-inch OLED convertible with so many upsides. If you want a programming portable with a slice of creative versatility, you’re in luck.
Best for versatility
Gaming laptops are often the best choices for portable programming, and with good reason – as the Lenovo demonstrates. Intel’s Core i7-12700H is one of the best mobile workhorses around and it’ll pound through any coding task.
Every version of the Legion includes Nvidia graphics, at least 16 GB of memory and a fast SSD, so you’ve got enough power for after-hours gaming, content creation and anything else. It’s never particularly hot or loud, and its subtle exterior means it’s comfortable in offices and LAN parties.
There are other areas where this rig makes sense for coders. The 16in display is a large, high-quality unit with a high resolution, so you’ve got plenty of space for spreading windows around, and you get a solid keyboard, plenty of ports and both wired and wireless connectivity.
The Legion isn’t perfect. There are no biometric sign-in options, and it weighs 5.4 lbs (2.49 kg) so it’s pretty heavy. Push the battery and the Lenovo only lasts for a couple of hours – at best, you’ll get through until lunchtime.
The Core i7 CPU, big screen and decent design deliver impressive coding power, though, and the Lenovo Legion 5i Pro Gen 7 doesn’t break the bank – it starts at $1,329 / £1,699. Core an i7-12700H notebook, that’s a great price.
Best self-build
This is something of a bonus entry into our list. You might not consider the CrowPi-L for coding, but if you want to start programming (and electronic tinkering in general), there are few better options.
Open the box and you’ll see loads of parts – but the build process is pretty easy. When the rig is assembled, you’ll have an 11.6 in laptop that’s reminiscent of a netbook. Despite the tiny size you get a decent slate of features: there are several full-size USB ports, a USB-C charging port, a GPIO adapter socket and a microSD card slot. The keyboard is superb and you’ll get about six hours of usage from the battery.
There are negatives. The 11.6 in display is tiny and has a low resolution, and the speakers, camera and microphone are all poor.
The pricing situation needs explaining, too. The basic CrowPi-L costs just $239 and it’s $299 if you include the Crowtail kit, which contains 22 extra modules. Neither includes the actual Raspberry Pi, though – adding that costs $131. In the UK, the basic kit is just £229, but it costs £409 if you want the Crowtail kit and Raspberry Pi included. And, because it’s a Raspberry Pi, don’t expect benchmark-breaking speed.
The low-power Raspberry Pi, build-your-own design and compact size mean the CrowPi isn’t suitable for everyone. But if you (or your kids) want to learn about electronics and coding, this is a great buy.
How we test the best laptops
Live Science tests a huge and diverse range of products, from Legos to binoculars, and from exercise bikes to dehumidifiers. Depending on just what we’re reviewing, a product will be subjected to an array of different tests relevant to its purpose and use. This may include in-lab benchmarks, extensive use in our test centers or thorough road-testing in real-world conditions.
We’ll examine performance against the manufacturer’s claims and test the accuracy of those claims to the very best of our ability, sourcing input from independent experts where needed. We will also evaluate a product on its ease of use, ergonomic success and performance relative to its competitors. Price will also be a factor with value for money affecting our overall evaluation and review rating.
Through this combination of extensive testing, research and expert consultation, Live Science is confident that it offers readers authoritative advice on all the products it reviews.
Best laptops questions answered
Which laptop is best for coding and programming?
We think the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch is the best laptop for coding and programming due to its powerful programming power, excellent high resolution display, and brilliant keyboard which makes it a pleasure to type code into.
What kind of laptop do I need for coding?
We’d generally recommend a laptop with no less than four cores running at 2GHz each and a laptop that has 4GB of RAM minimum. More RAM is better suited to larger, more complex processes but 4GB should be able to handle most basic demands.
What laptop screen should I use for coding?
Larger screens such as a 16-inch display are bigger and clearer and reduce eye strain, especially when working with long strings of code. However, this also reduces portability and battery life. If using external monitors for the majority of the time we’d recommend a slightly smaller screen on a laptop if you also need good portability.
What is the difference between coding and programming?
Coding is the term we use to cover writing in language that is specially designed for computer hardware. Code is usually written in short sections that go line by line, so the results usually look more like poetry at a glance than like written paragraphs.
Whereas programming is the umbrella term for a large discipline that covers a variety of jobs. A program is a complete, usually well organized assembly of code, art assets, sounds, and more that work together for a specific purpose.
Apple Macbook or Windows PC laptop, which is better?
Both types of laptop systems have their merits. Windows laptops generally have components that are easier to upgrade yourself, like storage and RAM, whereas Apple Macbooks can be developed in such a way that components which seem identical in spec on paper can perform much more efficiently.
