When you’re working on a laptop all day long, you need a sturdy, durable, and efficient machine but when you need a laptop for programming, you also need power and performance. There’s a lot of forethought and planning when you’re looking for a laptop that you’re going to program, develop new apps, web services, and software. You’re focusing on key aspects of a notebook including how the keyboard feels, battery life, screen size and resolution, and much more. You’re not looking for just a few things on the list, but a device that checks off everything. While there are a lot of prosumer-focused laptops, it’s hard to navigate which ones will fit all your needs.
In this feature, we’re going to help you navigate to find the best laptops for programming!.
Dell XPS 13
The Dell XPS 13 is a beautiful laptop with a 13.3-inch that’s inside the chassis of an 11-inch laptop. The smaller size frame with a larger screen is thanks to Dell’s infinite screen which is a bezel-less display. When you’re looking at a screen all day, you’ll want one that’s clear, and high quality so you don’t strain your eyes. The screen offers Full HD IPS 1920×1080 resolution, but on some models, you can get a QHD display that’s 3200×1800. In our Dell XPS 13 review, Nirave found the QHD display to be excellent and one of the best on an ultrabook to date.
The small laptop is ultra portable allowing you to take it on a business trip or out of the office. The Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM lets you multitask from testing programs to coding, to surfing the web. The processor can even handle heavier software like Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite. The 256GB SSD is more than enough to store all your files and necessary programs to get your work done without you having to worry about limited space. Overall, the Dell XPS 13 is a great Windows laptop that’s small and ultraportable.
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 8GB
Screen size: 13.3 inch 3200 x 1800 pixels
Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5
Buy the Dell XPS 13 Now
Dell XPS 15
The Dell XPS has the same infinite display as the XPS 13, allowing the 15.6-inch laptop only to have a frame of a 14-inch laptop. Which makes the 15 inch XPS portable when you want to escape the office and program outside or at a coffee shop. The battery will last 7 hours or more, enabling you not to worry about staying close to power outlets, but if you do run low, the USB-C port lets you quickly charge from any device or power bank. The Intel Core i7 processor lets you work on all your programs without missing a beat, and with the integrated GTX 960M graphics card you can go from working to rendering video or playing games.
The 256GB SSD allows you to store all your files and programs you’re working out without the worry of limited space. The Dell XPS 15 is a powerful machine that’ll never miss a beat, no matter what you throw at it. It’s also portable a lighter than other machines of the size and power, making it a great buy for anyone who needs to travel often. Indeed, in our Dell XPS 15 review, we rank it as one of the best Windows laptops ever made and Nirave said it was the only machine that has tempted him to switch back to Windows from macOS!
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6 inch 1920×1080
Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i7
Buy the Dell XPS 15 Now
Apple Macbook Air 13
The Apple Macbook Air 13 is a thin all-aluminum laptop that you may already know about. The aluminum chassis has become an industry standard and makes the thin and portable laptop feel premium. The battery life on the Macbook Air is also unsurpassed with all day battery that’ll let you travel from your home to office without needing a charge. It allows you to program all day and forget your charger at home.
The Intel Core i5 processor will enable you to multitask from working on programming to playing light games between your job. The 13.3 inch 1440×900 screen lets you snap windows side by side, see what you’re working on precisely, or watch videos on a great looking screen. Using MacOS also has it advantages over Windows with programming specific programs being developed for Mac before, if ever, coming to Windows. The only real downside to the Air is the 128GB SSD which feels limiting when your programming or store a lot of files on the laptop.
Specs:
Storage: 128GB SSD
Memory: 4GB
Screen size: 13.3 inch 1440 x 900
Operating System: MacOS
Processor: Intel Core i5
Buy the Apple MacBook Air 13 Now
Apple Macbook Pro 13
The Macbook Pro 13 is another performance laptop that you’ll see in startup offices across the country. The Macbook Pro 13 is similar to the Macbook Air but is pack with more space and a Retina 2560×1600 display that looks great when your programming or watching videos. The Intel Core i5 enables you to multitask between programming, prototyping, and testing without missing a step. The laptop claims 10 hours of battery life, letting you jump from your home and office or anywhere in between without worrying about the battery dying on you.
The laptop is thicker than the Macbook Air but has 3 USB ports, an HDMI port, and Thunderbolt ports for transferring data at ultra-high speeds or connecting multiple monitors. The trackpad has multitouch and is the all new Force Touch trackpads. The Force Touch trackpad lets you control sensitivity and gives you functions like three finger touch to navigate backward or open different apps. All-in-all, the Macbook Pro 13 is a smaller device with more than enough power and customizability to get all the programming you need to get done.
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 8GB
Screen size: 13.3 inch 2560×1600
Operating System: MacOS
Processor: Intel Core i5
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 13 Now
Apple Macbook Pro 15
The Macbook Pro 15 is one of the most powerful machines made by Apple. They pack a lot into the small laptop from 256GB SSD to store all your files and programs to the Intel Core i7. The processor is the best you can buy from Intel and gives anyone the ability to program, play games, edit, and render video, and do it all with the confidence the laptop can handle it. The 15.4 inch 2880 x 1800 Retina display looks beautiful and clear whether you are programming late into the night or slacking off with a few hours of gaming. The 15-inch screen gives you more screen real estate to snap windows or have more code displayed on the screen.
With all the performance the battery will only get 9 hours of battery life, but that’s good enough to get through the day. The Force touch trackpads allow you to change the sensitivity or change the multitouch controls for navigating back or opening new windows. Overall, the Macbook Pro 15 is one of the most powerful machines you can buy from Apple, and if you want performance, the laptop would be an excellent choice. The only downside to the power and performance is the high price tag for the Macbook.
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 16GB
Screen size: 15.4 inch 2880 x 1800
Operating System: MacOS
Processor: Intel Core i7
Buy the Apple MacBook Pro 15 Now
Dell Latitude 15 E5570
The Dell Latitude 15 looks like an unassuming Windows laptop with its all black design, but it’s more than capable for anyone who needs to have a laptop that’s got great performance. The Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM will let you multitask and work on anything without lag or pauses. It’ll breeze through processor intensive task without a problem, and keep you working instead of wondering why you’re laptops not working. The 15.6 inch 190×1080 HD display is great for programming, watching videos, or just surfing the web.
The 256GB SSD is more than enough space to store all your files and programs you’re working on. The laptop claims 8 hours of battery life, which will get you through a majority of your day. You might have to charge up once but will get you through your days of travel. Not only that, the clean and minimal design doesn’t attract attention and doesn’t scuff or get dirty easily. Overall, the Dell Latitude is a great Windows laptop for programming if you want something that doesn’t attract attention and has all the performance you could ever need.
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6 inch 1920 x 1080
Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5
Buy the Dell Latitude 15 E5570 Now
Asus Zenbook UX303UB
The Asus Zenbook is an ultrabook with performance perfect for programming late into the night. The Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM will let you multitask, program while you’re referencing other documents, and even test your programs while you have multiple windows open. The 13.3 inch 1920×1080 touchscreen display gives you another input method if you simply want to touch something on the screen or move code around with the touch of the finger. On top of the high performance, the laptop can last up to 7 hours on battery which will get you through a day’s work of programming, but if you’re going out for a long time make sure to bring the charger.
The laptop looks amazing with a metal finish that feels premium in the hands. The 256GB SSD will let you store all your files and programs without worry of filling up space too quickly. The laptop also features multiple ports to plug in a mouse, other displays, or charge your phone while on the go. All-in-all, the Zenbook is a great laptop to program on if you travel a lot and need something slim and light on the Windows side of things.
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 8GB
Screen size: 13.3 inch 1920×1080
Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5
Buy the Asus Zenbook UX303UB Now
HP Elitebook 1040 G3
The Elitebook is a business class laptop, with a premium design and feel. The specs aren’t lacking either, with an Intel Core i5 and a whopping 16GB of RAM, Those two combined gives you the performance and power to multitask like never before, program and slack off all at the same time without the worry of lag or over taxing your laptop. Then with the 14 inch 1920×1080 HD display, you can clearly see what you’re working on whether it’s programming or a few video games.
The 256GB SSD gives you more than enough space to store all your files and programs without the worry of limited space. There is multiple USB ports, an HDMi port, and SD card reader to ensure you can always stay connected and use other screens or a mouse with your laptop. Overall, the laptop is a great performance laptop from HP perfect for programming around the office or home.
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 16Gb
Screen size: 14 inch 1920×1080
Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5
Buy the HP Elitebook 1040 G3 Now
Acer Aspire E15
The Acer Aspire E15 is a great looking laptop with great performance and specs. The Aspire comes with an Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and a Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics processor. The Intel Core i5 alone would allow you to program and run any heavy programs with ease, but with the 940MX you’ll have more than enough processing power to do just about anything you’d want from use Photoshop or even play some games. On the 15.6 inch, 1920×1080 screen programming will look crisp and clear whether you’re watching a video or working on programming.
The 256GB SSD will be more than enough space to store all your files and programs without the worry about filling up space to quickly. There’s a disc drive if you ever run into a case that you need to use it – it’s there. There is also multiple ports to plug in a mouse, other displays, and other devices. Overall, the laptop is a great performance machine that’s affordable perfect for programming.
Specs:
Storage: 256GB SSD
Memory: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6inch 1920×1080
Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i5
Buy the Acer Aspire E15 Now
Asus K501UW
The Asus K501UW has powerful gaming performance that will give you ease of mind when your programming or slacking off with a few games. The Intel Core i7 is powerful alone, but combined with the GTX 980M; there is unparalleled performance. The performance might be a little more than you need for programming but it’s better to have a laptop that will breeze through task rather than stuttering. The laptop is more powerful than the Macbook Pro 15 inch, and half the cost of the most spac’d out version.
The 512GB SSD will give you more than enough space to store all your files and programs that you’re working on. Then the 15.6 inch, 1920×1080 HD display is big enough to have multiple windows open, all the while looking crisp and clear. The laptop might sound large and bulky, but the laptop is thin and light. The premium brushed aluminum look great whether you’re out working or just using the device around your house. Overall the Asus laptop is perfect for anyone who wants to have a workhorse for programming, but one that can do much more when needed.
Specs:
Storage: 512GB SSD
Memory: 8GB
Screen size: 15.6 1920×1080
Operating System: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core i7
Buy the Asus K501UW Now
Wrap up
Using a laptop every day for work means you want a device that’s going to last the test of time. Searching for a laptop, you’re going to use work exclusively means you’re looking at everything from battery life to portability. It’s a hard world to navigate the world of prosumer laptops, but we’re here to help without with your search so you can stop searching the web for your next laptop and focus on programming the next big app! If you think we missed a notebook, or you have one that you use for programming tell us in the comments below!
Also, tell us in the comments below which laptop you picked for all your programming needs!
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