Settling on the best laptop for programming and coding is a difficult task, but finding the right device for you can make a huge difference in productivity.
The variables that contribute to making avlaptop particularly useful for software development can vary widely, as one developer may value one category more than the other. That being said, considering the amount of time you will spend in front of the device, it's important to get a few key areas right including the ergonomics, performance, and display of the laptop.
Although the range of devices used by developers around the world varies quite significantly, performing well in all of these areas is essential for any programming device, as niggling flaws will only be amplified as you spend more time with the device.
We've put together a handy list of the best laptops on the market at the moment according to the range of features coders value most when picking their daily driver.
What to look for in a programming laptop
Display size
The display can make or break a device, and this is no different in software development. Although the majority of experienced programmers will use an external monitor of some sort, this is not universal and for those with smaller displays, or none at all, the display of their laptop is absolutely crucial.
Laptops typically come in sizes ranging from 13 inches to 16 inches, but the short answer is bigger is better in nearly all cases. Looking at multiple lines of code between project files can be tricky on smaller screens and running a simulator on the same window can make for an uncomfortable experience if coding just on the laptop itself.
Another important consideration is the aspect ratio of your laptop display. Developers will often rotate their external monitors 90° in order to get added vertical room to fit more lines of code. In the same vein, a laptop with a 16:10 or 3:2 aspect ratio will
If you know you will be working with an external monitor, you can save some extra heft and opt for a smaller screen device, but if you think you will frequently find yourself coding on just the laptop, we'd recommend something nearer the 15in range to ensure you can get you work done without sacrificing too much on productivity.
Type of keyboard
Laptop keyboards almost always use some form of membrane switches, meaning they use a piece of rubber or silicone beneath the keys to actuate when pressed. This differs from mechanical keyboards which have individual mechanical switches under each key. Although there is a community of developers out there who insist on using a full-size mechanical keyboard, many others are happy using their laptop decks, but there are still a few different factors to consider.
Ultimately you are looking for a keyboard that you can get up to speed on quickly and has the required sensitivity, key travel, finish, and size that allows you to get into your full typing flow.
In terms of size, laptop keyboards typically come with two options, full size and those that feature number pads. You will often find the number pads on laptop keyboards go unused in programming and they can, in certain installations, offset the keyboard away from the center of the display, which can be off-putting if using the laptop's keyboard to type regularly, rather than an external board.
The actuation of the key switches is another important factor, tactile feedback on each press can help you type confidently being able to feel exactly when the switch has been actuated, whereas a mushy feeling deck can lead to double key presses and bog you down.
Travel is another aspect to consider, where most laptop keyboards are relatively slim. You want enough travel to really let your fingers fly, which will help you reach your top typing speed. Most modern laptops will feature a backlit keyboard but it is worth keeping this in mind as theory can be invaluable when trying to work in a darker environment.
Processing power and storage
Compared to other workloads like data analysis, video editing, or 3D modeling, software development is not the most compute-heavy workload around, but it still requires enough juice to run multiple applications at once.
As a result, to be able to have multiple virtual machines, IDEs, or containers open you will want a device with 8GB of RAM and a high-performance quad-core CPU as a baseline, but those working on larger projects may want to expand this for some headroom.
Deciding on your storage option can be a bit of a balancing act when it comes to trying to keep costs down while also future-proofing your device. We would recommend opting for an SSD as they will mean you can load projects, compile code, and launch apps much faster, but they can be more pricey than their HDD counterparts.
Luckily, SSD prices have been falling consistently in recent years, so the price gap between SSDs and HDDs should continue to shrink, in which case SSDs are definitely the way to go.
The best laptops for programming
If you are going to be bringing this laptop to and from the office during the week, have a device that is easy to carry and doesn't weigh you down when you're traveling.
If this sounds like you then Huawei's MateBook X Pro may just be the laptop for you. Weighing in at under 1k, the MateBook feels ultra-light without sacrificing on performance, ergonomics, or battery life.
The MateBook X Pro has a stunning 14.2in display that you will not get bored of looking at. It's on the smaller end of what we would recommend but this obviously helps keep it light and the 3:2 aspect ratio is a plus for getting extra vertical headroom when coding.
Performance-wise the MateBook X Pro is no slouch either, with the only model available in the UK sporting 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a powerful Core i9 processor, and a super quick 2TB SSD, with respectable staying power in terms of battery life.
The keyboard on the MateBook X Pro feels very comfortable, with 1.5mm of travel, and although less important for software development, the trackpad scored very highly in our testing too.
The only drawback for the MateBook X Pro is its less than practical port selection, with just two 3 USB-C ports and no headphone jack, which Huawei said they had to sacrifice for weight. In addition, although light as a feather the MateBook X Pro's price tag is rather hefty at £2,099.99 for the only model available in the UK, although our fellow European readers can get a pared-back model that will still meet all their performance needs at €1,999.99.
Read our full Huawei MateBook X Pro review for more info
The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i has been well-regarded as the go-to Chromebook that nails the price-to-performance equation while offering solid performance, and an impressive keyboard for a modest sum.
The IdeaPad Flex 5i is available with a Core i3 1215U or Core i5 1235U depending on how limited your budget is, with the more premium option giving you some extra power and an expanded 512GB SSD.
Regardless of which option you go for, both versions of the IdeaPad Flex 5i qualify as members of Google's more premium Chromebook Plus ecosystem.
Lenovo's strength in keyboard design shines through on the IdeaPad Flex 5i with a deck that offers a good typing experience. The speedy, lightweight action was easy to get used to and the layout doesn't give you any unwanted surprises.
The display on the IdeaPad is the one area where its budget price is most noticeable. Its contrast levels, brightness, and color accuracy were modest at best, although the panel is still perfectly usable for software development workflows where these are less critical functions. While it is no show-stopper, the display's 16:10 aspect ratio also helps the IdeaPad 5i feel better suited to software work, which is a nice consolation.
Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus review for more info
MacBook's are a popular choice among many software developers due to their reliability, industry-leading design quality, superb keyboards, display, and performance. MacOS's cross platform compatibility could also be a draw for some programmers looking for a device that gives them a terminal that works virtually identical as it does on popular Linux distributions.
The M3 MacBook is no exception here, with a stunning 14in 16:10 liquid retina XDR display that you will not get board of staring at through the day, although if you are not a fan of the notch at the top of the display this good be a reason to swerve the current MacBook lineup.
Apple has previously had some problems with their keyboards, but the Magic keyboard featured on the M3 MacBook is well-regarded as one of the best laptop keyboards available and offers luxuriously large keys that are well-spaced, and satisfyingly clicky actuation.
Performance wise MacBooks are currently leading the industry with super efficient speeds unlocked by Apple's silicon, with battery life that will blow you away.
MacBooks are frequently criticised for their price but the lower spec option of the M3 model will give an incredible device with arguably the best display, keyboard, performance, and battery life on the market at an affordable price, making it a brilliant choice if you are looking for a do-it-all machine and don't mind switching to MacOS.
Read our full Apple M3 MacBook review for more info
When it comes to the best Chromebooks on the market, it's difficult to look past the Asus ExpertBook CX54, which is one of the most impressive Chrome OS we've tested to date.
Richly deserving of the Chromebook Plus designation the ExpertBook CX54 performs very well in almost every category you will be looking for in a device for programming.
The bright 4K display is rich and vibrant with a 16:10 display which lends itself well to development workflows using more than one window.
With a Core Ultra 7 chip and 16GB OF RAM, the ExpertBook CX54 is the fastest Chromebook we've ever tested and will have no issue handling whatever you throw at it.
It's a similar story with the keyboard which is just that little bit better than the rest of the keyboards on Chromebook Plus devices, with a light but tactile actuation, familiar layout, and generously spaced and sized keys.
The ExpertBook showed a solid battery life in our testing and will definitely get you through the day if you are on the move.
Overall Asus has knocked it out of the park with the ExpertBook CX54, and it certainly is one of the best Chromebooks on the market, but the hefty price tag is way above what most readers will be used to for Chrome OS devices.
But if Chrome OS particularly appeals to you, and you are looking for a device that really lives up to the Chromebook Plus name for your development needs, look no further than the Asus ExpertBook CX54.
Read our full Asus ExpertBook CX54 for more info
As previously mentioned, Lenovo has a long history of amazing keyboards, and this is 'typified' by the deck on the 7th generation ThinkPad P1. ThinkPads are renowned for their strong keyboards and the P1 Gen 7 is no different.
It maintains the familiar and much-loved ThinkPad layout, and yes the nub is still there, and is incredibly sturdy with little to no flex, meaning you can really let your fingers fly when getting into your flow.
The deck has the industry standard 1.5mm of travel and precise key action with a satisfyingly smooth actuation that is damped to ensure a smooth transition between key presses.
If you are looking for a keyboard that will stand up to hours of use without inhibiting your speed, the ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 is certainly the way to go, and the rest of the device is no slouch either.
An eye-catching 2.5K IPS display scored well in our testing, and the 16-core Core Ultra 7 165H paired with 32GB of RAM performed admirably, keeping up with industry benchmark M3 MacBook Pro.
The ThinkPad P1 Gen 7 comes with an impressive 1TB Kioxia SSD and also features a second SSD slot for expandability, something of a rarity in today's age of soldered-on motherboards.
Be warned, the top-end models of the Lenovo ThinkPad1 P1 Gen 7 can get eye-wateringly expensive, but if you're only looking for one of the best typing experiences available, then you can forgo the added bells and whistles and will still get a brilliant device.
Read our full Lenovo ThinkPad1 P1 Gen 7 review for more info
Best laptops for programming FAQs
Do I need a large screen for programming?
Bigger isn’t always better, but when it comes to coding, a large amount of screen real estate can be incredibly useful. Not only does it allow you to see more lines of code at once without endless scrolling, but it’s also great for multitasking. You can keep your chosen IDE open in one window, and StackOverflow right alongside without having to waste time switching back and forth.
Many programmers find themselves at a desk for long periods of time, and for this some favour mutliple monitor setups. In this case, the importance of screen size gives way to the quality of the display itself as windows can be spread across multiple monitors as needed. Setups such as this may also negate the need for lighter laptops, or better keyboards, as laptops are typically mounted on a stand and connected to an external keyboard and mouse.
On the other hand, if you’re on the hunt for a laptop to be carried on your commute, larger screens could contribute to an unwelcome addition in weight. For example, a 15in laptop will typically pack more heft than a 13in and the same is true for laptops with larger batteries.
In general, we feel a 14in or 15in laptop represents the optimum balance between portability and screen size for most developers.
Should I buy a laptop with a numberpad for programming?
Physical number pads offer some extra functionality for laptop users, but they can be a waste of space for some. It's generally the case that when you're using a standard keyboard, you will either use it all the time, or never touch it, depending on your tastes.
Physical number pads are sought after by some users, but they are often little more than a waste of keyboard space. Although they have their uses, such as for typing special symbols or for faster number entry, these are rarely used by many users and as such don’t outweigh the significant size and weight disadvantages associated with including a number pad.
Though no laptop on this list features a number pad, a sign of their increasing rarity on modern laptops, there are still some business laptops that come equiped with a number pad. For those for whom they are a necessity, external number pads can be purchased to add their functionality to any laptop.
Which OS is best for programming?
Some developers have grown to prefer Apple MacBooks for programming, for a number of clear reasons. The entire range packs a punch in terms of performance, the UNIX-based macOS pairs nicely with a number of different programming languages, and they are among the most aesthetically pleasing laptops on the market.
However, macOS is by no means the only option when it comes to programming. Microsoft Windows is the most widely used operating system in the world, and since the addition of Windows Subsystem for Linux, its versatility has increased dramatically. Finally, there’s Linux itself, which – despite the ever-present spectre of compatibility issues – remains a popular choice for developers looking to completely immerse themselves in the world of programming. Linux comes with a range of distributions or ‘distros’, and the best Linux distros make welcome environments for programmers.
To get the best overall coverage, our advice would be to pick up a Windows device, and either dual-boot Linux onto it, or use the inbuilt Linux tooling to customise your workflows - unless you’re an Apple-specific developer, in which case a MacBook could be your best bet.
How we test laptops for programming
Like every laptop we review, the units on this list have been put through a number of tests to measure their technical performance across a range of categories. For display testing, we use a colorimeter and the open source DisplayCal measurement software. This allows us to check the contrast ratio and maximum brightness, as well as the colour accuracy and reproduction.
This is done by testing what percentage of a given colour gamut the display can represent, as well as measuring the average Delta-E rating, showing how closely those colours match the target hue. We generally test against the sRGB colour gamut, but for certain laptops, we may also test against the DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB gamuts, if the display has been specifically calibrated for them.
To measure a machine’s performance, we use a suite of custom benchmark tests, which simulate a series of different workloads: a single-core image conversion test, a multi-core video encoding job and a stress test where both the previous tasks are run simultaneously while also playing back a video.
Each test gives us an individual result, which are then combined to form an overall score. This is usually the main result we’ll quote as part of a review, but we’ll also discuss individual test results where relevant. These test results are supported by Geekbench 5’s single and multi-core benchmark tests to identify any anomalous results, as well as AS SSD’s storage speed benchmarks.
Battery life is another important area of testing, which is measured by playing a looped video in airplane mode with the screen set to a consistent brightness level, and measuring how long it takes the battery to deplete. This allows us to compare battery life between machines in a consistent manner, but doesn’t necessarily give an indication of real-world longevity, so for this we track the battery life over the course of our testing period, measuring how long it lasts when used for real-world workloads of varying intensities.
