Finding the right laptop for you can be a daunting task, with so many options available. However, the advantage of different choices is that there is something for everyone, whether you're a gamer, developer, or casual user. If you're a programmer or coder, you'll want a laptop that has a good processor, enough RAM, significant storage, and a high-resolution display. Game developers will also want a good dedicated graphics card. And a comfortable keyboard is a must for all.

There are various laptop options for all types of programmers and coders and for every budget. We've compiled a list of the best and highest-rated machines.

Our Picks for the Best Programming and Coding Laptops in 2023

An excellent Windows laptop for programming and coding is the Dell XPS 15 9530 model. The specs offered by this machine far exceed what most programmers need. If you consistently work on large projects, the 32GB DDR5 4,800MHz RAM and Intel 13th-Gen 14-Core i9-13900H Evo processor offer more than enough power and will allow you to use multiple applications and datasets simultaneously.

As spec-ed, this version of the Dell XPS 15 9530 comes with the NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU. But if you don't need a dedicated graphics card or looking for something less powerful, you can save some money by downgrading to the RTX 4050 or the Intel Arc A370M. Of course, if you need more, you can upgrade to the RTX 4070 as well.

You also get an ample amount of 1TB SSD storage while the 15.6-inch 3.5K OLED InfinityEdge display bursts 400 nits of peak brightness. Again, the Dell XPS 15 is very customizable. So you can save by getting a Full HD+ IPS display, which is actually brighter and more color-accurate than the higher-resolution OLED model.

The keyboard deck is soft to the touch, creating a satisfying typing experience, and the responsive touchpad is roomy. The laptop ships with Windows 11 Pro, and it features two Thunderbolt 4 ports, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, a headphone jack, and an SD Card reader with Intel Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity.

Overall, it’s a quality laptop for developing complex applications and large codebases and is an excellent choice for serious programmers.

The best MacBook for programming and coding is the MacBook Pro 16-inch. For the ultimate power, you can opt for the M2 Max chip. But for most coders, the less expensive M2 Pro chip should be more than enough. With the M2 Max, you get a 12-core CPU, a 38-core GPU, 32GB of unified memory, and 1TB of SSD storage. If you truly want to "Max out," you can upgrade these specs to a colossal 96GB of unified memory with 8TB of storage.

However, the price for this power is high and could be overkill for many programmers. Opting for the M2 Pro chip instead offers a less expensive price yet plenty of power. You also get a battery life that rivals the best that any laptop can provide at 22 hours and a spacious, comfortable, backlit keyboard with a roomy and responsive trackpad.

The 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display is large, stunning, and can reach astonishing peak brightness levels. However, if you prefer a smaller display, a configurable 14-inch model offers much the same spec options. Ports-wise, the MacBook Pro gives you three Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI, a handy SDXC card slot, a welcome headphone jack, and a MagSafe 3 port for charging.

For a budget-friendly alternative, consider the 2023 model of the ASUS Vivobook 15. The sweet spot to opt for is the 20GB RAM/512GB SSD model for a nice balance between specs and cost. However, you can choose from anything between 12 to 36GB of RAM and 256GB to 2TB of SSD storage—all the while remaining firmly in the budget price range.

With an integrated graphics card, it may not have enough power for the most graphics-intensive tasks. But, together with the Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, there’s enough muscle for most programmers, and the laptop can handle most demanding tasks worry-free.

With a 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display, you have a good size and resolution for a programming laptop. There's also a number pad for those who will be entering a lot of numbers. The full-size, backlit keyboard is comfortable to type on, although the keys do feel a bit widely spaced. The trackpad is also placed off-center, which may take a little getting used to.

However, the battery life leaves a lot to be desired. So, if you plan on taking your programming away from the desk, you’ll need to bring your charger and be close to a wall outlet.

If the super-pricey 16-inch MacBook Pro exceeds your budget, the MacBook Air 15.3-inch is also a powerful beast, yet is available at a less eye-watering price. The chip on this model is the regular M2 chip, and not the Pro or Max. However, it isn’t incorrect to say that it still offers incredible power. The base model ships with an 8-core CPU and a 10-core GPU with 8GB of unified memory and 512GB of SSD storage. For an extra fee, you can upgrade to up to 24GB of unified memory and up to 2TB of storage.

If you prefer a smaller display, there is a 13-inch variation with the same configurable options. Or you can even opt for an older M1 chip that still has ample enough power for programming and coding. You also get the trademark high-res Liquid Retina Display, offering up to 500 nits of brightness with P3-wide color and incredible detail.

Further, you also get Apple’s legendary Magic Keyboard, renowned for its soft, large keys and ambient light sensor and an exceptional battery performance of up to 18 hours.

An excellent entry-level option for programmers and coders is the Microsoft Surface Laptop 4. The AMD Ryzen 7 Surface Edition is a powerful processor that outperforms Intel Core processors in terms of multithreaded performance. It has eight cores and 16 threads, providing the horsepower for compiling code and running programming tasks.

The integrated graphics card is not so powerful, but still good enough for most programming. You’ll want to consider adding a dedicated card for graphics-intensive programming. But, with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, you can run multiple applications together, and the 512GB of SSD storage is ample for most projects and delivers fast boot and load times. If you prefer more RAM and storage, there is a 32GB/1TB option with an Intel Core i7 processor.

The keyboard is among the most comfortable you can find, with optimized key travel and a deck covered in soft Alcantara material. You can type comfortably all day, and with a battery life of around 12–13 hours (advertised at 17.5 hours) and a beautiful 2496 x 1664 touchscreen display, you have the ideal entry-level laptop for programmers and coders.

The HP Spectre x360 is an ideal laptop for tasks such as compiling code and debugging large codebases. It boasts a powerful 13th-Gen i7-1355U processor with 10 cores and 12 threads that won’t slow down when running multiple applications. In addition, the 16GB of RAM is enough for most coding and programming, and the 512GB of SSD storage should also suffice.

However, the RAM is not upgradeable, so if you plan on running resource-intensive apps simultaneously, you might want to consider another option with at least 32GB. Further, the graphics card is integrated and insufficient for serious game development. However, if you need more storage for larger codebases or media files, there are 1TB and 2TB alternatives for an extra cost.

It’s a good choice for anyone looking for something smaller, whether you need a more portable and lightweight laptop or you just prefer a 13.5-inch display. The 1920x1280p, 60Hz, IPS display is a touchscreen and has a peak brightness of 400 nits and 100% sRGB coverage. You can also fold the laptop into tablet mode, making it an excellent choice for programmers and coders who prefer a 2-in-1 design.

The comfortable backlit keyboard features snappy keys with a satisfying click to them. The touchpad is responsive, accurate, and roomy enough for 4-finger Windows gestures. And, with a 12-hour battery life, you can take your programming away from the workstation whenever you feel the need for a change of scenery.

The Acer Swift 3's shining beacon is its AMD Ryzen 7 4700U CPU. It’s a very capable processor with eight cores and integrated Radeon graphics. Teamed with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, the laptop can handle demanding projects and run multiple development tools at the same time. You also get fast access and application loading, as well as sufficient storage space with the 512GB SSD, while the 14-inch Full HD IPS display provides clarity and color accuracy.

However, the trade-off is a dim display. While color-accurate, it isn’t particularly vibrant, and peak brightness is relatively low. If it is a bright, color-saturated display you seek, you’re better off choosing a different laptop. It’s not that the screen is unbearable or looks terrible; it’s just that there are better options in this regard. Yet, it does put in a powerful performance at a more-than-fair price. There is also a range of configuration and bundle options to help you decide what’s best for you.

For a midrange laptop, you also get an excellent battery life of around 11 hours—enough to let you move away from the workspace. And its lightweight and slim build enhances its suitability as a laptop for on-the-go programmers. There’s also a good range of ports, and the springy keys offer a pleasing click with every stroke. The keyboard is illuminated, and the touchpad is roomy and responsive enough to comfortably perform Windows gestures.

Choosing the Right Laptop for Programming and Coding for You

Most in-the-know people will tell you that you need at least 8GB of RAM and 500GB of SSD storage. You’ll also need a quality CPU, with an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 at the minimum. Display-wise, it would be best if you looked for a 13-inch Full HD display at least.

However, you don’t only have to pay attention to the specs when buying a laptop for programming and coding. Before taking the plunge, you must also consider factors like keyboard comfort and features, display quality, and battery life.

The 16-inch MacBook Pro with the Pro or Max chipset offers colossal power. It also features the battery life and keyboard comfort you need for extended programming hours. With its stunning display, it also checks all the boxes programmers and coders require. It's not cheap, though, and if you want a more affordable option, the MacBook Air with the M2 chip is the one to go for. Despite the lower price, it still offers incredible performance and all the same luxurious features.

However, if you want a real budget option, the ASUS Vivobook 15 boasts excellent performance with many configuration options. It also has all the other features favored by programmers except for a long battery life. At this price, there has to be some sort of trade-off, and it’s nothing that you can’t solve with a wall outlet.

The Dell XPS 15 (9530 model) is our top pick for a laptop for programming and coding. Not only does it have mighty specs, but the dedicated graphics card also makes it an excellent entry-level selection for game development. You also get all the other bells and whistles, from a comfortable keyboard to a stunning, bright display and a proper variety of ports.