Programmers have a lot of choices when it comes to notebook PCs. While coding doesn’t necessarily call for ultra-powerful hardware, there are some premium components that can make life far easier for anyone who spends hours staring at a laptop trying to fix their code.
The LG Gram 17 is a top choice because of its high-resolution, 17-inch screen, all-day battery life and compact construction. Read on for some less expensive picks as well as other features you should look out for.
What to know before you buy a laptop for programming
Screen size and resolution
Fitting as much text as possible on a single screen helps to maximize productivity, especially when writing and debugging projects. To make sure you can keep an eye on as many lines as possible, opt for a laptop measuring 14 inches or larger with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 or better. While it’s possible to get work done on a clamshell or 2-in-1 notebook, it’s not nearly as efficient.
Portability
The main point of laptops is that they’re easy to carry with you and use in offices, coffee shops, parks or anywhere else you’re comfortable working. Since programming doesn’t usually call for components like discrete GPUs that take up space and electricity, you should be able to find one that’s not too thick or heavy.
The other aspect of portability is battery life. Keep in mind that manufacturers are notorious for inflated battery life claims, and there’s no standardized test to accurately inform consumers about how long each laptop lasts between charges. In terms of physical configuration, for example, 4K displays usually have below-average battery life, and such a high resolution isn’t even noticeable in most laptop form factors.
Laptop for programming features
Reasonably powerful components
You don’t need a powerhouse of a PC to do most programming tasks, but there’s definitely a level of performance required. Some extremely common functions, like running virtual machines within an operating system, call for a decent amount of power just to get started. Your storage and processing power needs to increase somewhat once you start to use multiple VMs to test and troubleshoot advanced programs.
Having a late-generation CPU makes a big difference in multiple ways. New processors tend to favor multi-core and multi-threaded designs, which essentially allows a single chip to emulate as many as 16 CPUs at once. In addition to their processing power, modern CPUs are built with highly efficient transistors that minimize energy loss due to heat and maximize battery life.
Another important component for programming is RAM, which acts as an ultra-high-speed buffer that keeps systems’ most relevant data queued up and ready to access at a moment’s notice. Much like processing power, your need for this short-term storage will get bigger as your projects scale in size and complexity.
The importance of a good keyboard
All coding starts with typing, so it’s important to choose a laptop with a good keyboard. Key travel distance in all notebook PCs is relatively short, but you may notice differences in feel. Inexpensive laptops can fall victim to mushy keys and inefficient layouts, which can negatively impact speed and consistency.
Most coders agree that numeric keypads and touchpads aren’t very useful, so whether you opt for a number pad or high-end trackpad comes down mostly to your preference.
Laptop for programming cost
A new laptop with recently released hardware and plenty of screen space can run you anywhere from several hundred for something functional to around $2,000 for a high-performing unit from a premium manufacturer.
Laptop for programming FAQ
What about a second monitor?
A. A single screen should suffice when you’re just learning or working on simple apps, but large-scale projects sometimes need quite a bit more real estate for reference and testing purposes. Luckily, most new laptops come with the ports needed to connect an external monitor. If you find one with a full-size HDMI port, take note of whether it supports HDMI 2.0 or not, in case you ever plan on outputting to a 4K monitor or TV at the standard PC refresh rate of 60Hz.
Alternatively, any laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 or 4 port is guaranteed to support both the HDMI and DisplayPort over USB standards. Thunderbolt 3 and 4 use a USB-C cable and can transmit up to 100 watts of electricity at the same time as a video signal, so choosing a Thunderbolt 3-enabled notebook can make it a lot easier to dock with a stationary setup in your home or office.
Do graphics cards matter?
A. Unless your job also involves digital video design or you like to play games after you’re finished working, don’t worry about graphics power. A discrete GPU like an Nvidia GeForce or AMD Radeon card won’t benefit your workflow but will significantly increase a laptop’s price and decrease its battery life. Plus, the GPUs integrated within today’s mobile chipsets are more powerful than ever and are able to play some AAA games, so you don’t need a gaming laptop just to program.
Which laptop should I get for programming?
Best of the best laptop for programming
LG Gram 17: available at Amazon
Our take: Not only one of the thinnest and lightest 17-inch laptops on the market, but it also offers cutting-edge components, plenty of storage and a high-quality display.
What we like: A 2560 x 1600 resolution makes it easy to fit a lot of lines on the screen properly scaled. 2TB of storage is enough for the most demanding jobs. Battery life is almost unrivaled, and the display covers nearly the entire DCI-P3 color gamut, a rarity among laptops.
What we dislike: It’s pricey. It still takes up a good bit of space in a backpack or on a desk. Most of the keyboard’s former ergonomic issues have been resolved, but the backspace key is still a little small.
Best bang for your buck laptop for programming
Asus VivoBook S15: available at Amazon
Our take: Utilizing AMD’s latest high-efficiency processor, it delivers impressive performance and a quality fit and finish for a low price.
What we like: It’s actually surprising how powerful this budget-friendly option is. There are versions with either 8GB or 16GB of RAM, and if that’s not enough, you can open it and add more. Other convenient features include a backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader.
What we dislike: At just over 4 pounds, it’s heavy for a 15-inch laptop.
Honorable mention laptop for programming
Dell XPS 15: available at Dell
Our take: This is the latest iteration of one of the most well-known and well-built notebooks ever, and it’s every bit as premium as you’ve come to expect.
What we like: Heavily customizable from the manufacturer with a bold and bright screen and a premium fit and finish. The Full HD+ resolution and 16:10 aspect ratio are great for productivity. Overall, it’s built to last for years.
What we dislike: Somewhat overkill for most programming tasks and requires an adapter or docking station for ethernet connectivity.
Christopher Thomas is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
