The best laptops for programming deliver superb performance and boost your coding experience, and these are the ones we highly recommend.
If you’re a programming enthusiast or a professional programmer, you know how crucial it is to have a reliable, powerful computer to carry out your projects. In a world of constant technological evolution, it’s important to keep up with the latest trends and tools that allow you to optimize your work and achieve exceptional results. Whether you’re just getting started in this fascinating field or looking to upgrade your current equipment, here you’ll find the most recommended and innovative options to fuel your creativity and help you achieve success in the digital world.
Here are the Best Laptops for Programming
Microsoft Surface Pro 9 Review
The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 is the top pick for the best programming laptop. The Surface Pro 9 stands out as the most powerful and versatile 2-in-1 laptop available, delivering ultra-fast performance, a high-resolution touchscreen, and all-day battery life. This model features an Intel Core i7-1255U processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage, ensuring lightning-fast performance and ample space. The Surface Pro 9’s 13″ PixelSense touchscreen is perfect for using optical pens like the Slim Pen 2.
Powered by a 12th-generation Intel Core processor, it offers a battery life of up to 15.5 hours, making it ideal for long workdays or study sessions. Whether you need a tablet or a graphic design laptop, this device adapts seamlessly. Compared to its predecessor, the Surface Pro 8, the Surface Pro 9 introduces some enhancements while retaining its core strengths, such as the latest 12th-gen Intel Core processors and Wi-Fi 6E for faster internet connectivity.
Plus, it’s available in new colors like Sapphire and Forest, along with the traditional Platinum and Graphite options. In terms of ports, the Surface Pro 9 is equipped with two USB-C ports with Thunderbolt 4 support, a Surface Connect port, and a Surface Type Cover port. The 13” PixelSense Flow display boasts a resolution of 2880x1920p or 267ppi with a 3:2 aspect ratio, offering bright, crisp, and vibrant visuals suitable for any type of content—ensuring you won’t miss a detail, even in darker scenes. The touchscreen is another standout feature, especially when used with the Slim Pen 2 (sold separately) alongside the Surface Pro Signature Keyboard. The battery life is impressive, typically lasting more than half a workday, making it convenient for frequent use outside the home. The stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos provide powerful, precise audio, ideal for streaming TV shows and movies. While the sound quality is decent for music, using dedicated speakers or headphones will offer a better experience.
Alienware m18 R2 Review
For the gamers out there, the Alienware m18 R2 stands out as the top gaming and programming laptop. Massive-screen laptops are rare, making the Alienware m18 a unique option if you crave that extra screen real estate. It features an RTX 4070 GPU, which effortlessly powers a 2560×1600 resolution monitor at a 165Hz refresh rate with high graphic settings. Plus, it comes with an impressive 32GB of DDR5 RAM, ideal for programming and CAD tasks.
Powering this beast is the Intel Core i9-13900HK processor, one of the market’s most robust options, offering versatility for both work and play. The Alienware m18 R2 excels whether you’re coding or gaming, maintaining cool temperatures and smooth performance under heavy loads. You might wonder why a large gaming laptop is beneficial. Unlike smaller 14″ and 15″ models, the 18-inch screen allows for more extravagant specs.
Imagine having an Intel Core i9 processor paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, all packed into a sleek design. Despite these powerful components, the m18 R2 stays cool thanks to Alienware’s proprietary cooling system. When it’s time to set up your mobile battle station, you’ll find a range of ports, including HDMI 2.1, a mini DisplayPort, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB 3.2 Gen 1 port, and a power adapter port.
The laptop also features a 1.8mm key travel Cherry MX ultra-low profile mechanical keyboard. It’s clickable enough to provide a satisfying typing experience without being too loud. You can further customize the keyboard with millions of RGB colors to match your style. With its powerful Core i9 CPU, the Alienware m18 R2 delivers excellent results on benchmarks like Geekbench 6 and Cinebench. If you need a laptop that offers out-of-the-box performance, great cooling, customizable lighting, and a tactile keyboard, the Alienware m18 R2 is your go-to choice for high-powered gaming.
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 Review
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12, which we believe is the best workstation programming laptop .The ThinkPad X1 Carbon series is Lenovo’s flagship line, and despite being aimed at business users, it’s perfect for home, university, and professional use. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 features a 14-inch screen designed for productivity. At its core is a 15-watt Intel Meteor Lake U-class Core Ultra processor, great for everyday tasks but not for heavy computing. It includes a neural processing unit for localized AI processing. While the integrated Intel graphics are efficient, they don’t match the power of the ARC graphics found in more powerful Core Ultra chips.
Memory options go up to 64 GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and it supports one M.2 2280 Gen 4 drive, which aligns well with its class expectations. A neat addition in this generation is the ability to double-tap the TrackPoint to access a quick menu, allowing you to tweak camera, microphone, and battery settings easily. All 14-inch screen options come in a 16:10 aspect ratio, suitable for various content types. The base model has a 1920 x 1200 touch-sensitive panel with 400-nit brightness and 100% sRGB coverage. A privacy version boosts brightness to 500 nits and restricts viewing angles to prevent prying eyes.
The top-tier option is a 2880 x 1800 OLED panel with 99.3% DCI-P3 coverage, a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, and 400-nit brightness, providing an exceptional visual experience. Touch support is optional, which is a plus since many OLED laptops lack this feature. Above the screen, you’ll find either a 1080p webcam or an optional sharper 2160p model, both with a sliding shutter for privacy.
We appreciate its lightweight design, excellent input devices, solid connectivity, impressive display options, and long battery life. Even under heavy benchmarks, the ThinkPad remained relatively quiet, making it a standout choice for any professional. Highly recommended for its quality and performance. Just a quick note: if you’re interested in any of the products, I’ve updated the description below with links to get you the best deals available right now, so make sure to check those out for the most current prices and offers.
Apple MacBook Pro 14 Review
We have the Apple MacBook Pro 14, which earns our vote as the best Apple programming laptop This 14-inch MacBook Pro combines minimal design with high performance, making it a solid choice for any developer. Under the hood, you’ll find either an eight-core M1 Pro chip or a ten-core M1 Max chip, ensuring stability and speed for multitasking. The integrated 14-core GPU delivers excellent graphics performance, perfect for 4K video editing, gaming, or intensive design projects. With its powerful M1 Pro or M1 Max chip, this MacBook Pro delivers outstanding power and equally impressive battery life, lasting up to 18 hours in tests.
The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display stands out with its extreme dynamic range and 1600-nit peak brightness, making it perfect for content creation and everyday use. This display is similar to the MacBook Pro 16, known for its brightness and color accuracy. Graphics optimization has been improved, preventing the GPU from being overtaxed. However, with only 8 GB of unified memory, the system can struggle when both the CPU and GPU are heavily loaded, unlike the iMac with 48 GB of memory.
Connectivity options are robust, including an SD card slot, HDMI port, and three Thunderbolt 4 ports, ensuring you can connect all your peripherals. The advanced sound and camera system also deserve mention. The 1080p FaceTime camera, paired with three studio-quality microphones and a speaker surround system, ensures you look and sound great on video calls. The MacBook Pro 14 makes for a fantastic workstation laptop. Whether you’re editing thousands of photos or working on 4K videos, this laptop offers the power and features you need.
Dell XPS 15 Review
The Dell XPS 15 is considered the best overall programming laptop for 2024. The Dell XPS 15 is a top-tier ultrabook that merges professional design with powerful hardware crafted from 100 percent CNC-machined aluminum. The minimalist design not only looks sleek but also helps with cooling. The nearly borderless display features eye-safe technology to reduce harmful blue light, making it easier on your eyes during long work hours. With a 12th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, this laptop meets all your graphic design and programming needs. Its 15.6-inch 4K UHD OLED screen delivers stunning colors and sharp details. Portability and style are key features of the Dell XPS 15, making it an excellent choice for designers and developers on the go. It’s compatible with Adobe Creative Cloud, Corel Painter, and GIMP, ensuring you have the tools you need for any project.
Though similar in design to its 2021 predecessor, the 2024 model offers a sleek aluminum chassis that gives it a premium look and feel. Weighing 1.91 kilograms, it’s not the lightest, but it provides a solid build that’s reassuringly sturdy. The keyboard is spacious, with soft carbon fiber supports that make typing comfortable. The keys have good travel and tactile feedback, making document creation and email responses a breeze. The large touchpad is responsive, registering touches, swipes, and other gestures accurately. The display excels with sharp, vivid colors and an average brightness of over 370 nits. On the connectivity front, the XPS 15 includes three USB-C ports, an SD card slot, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack for security. A Kensington lock is also available. The laptop supports Wi-Fi 6 and the newer Wi-Fi 6E standards for faster internet connectivity, along with Bluetooth 5.2. With its robust Intel Core i7 CPU, vibrant OLED display, and powerful GPU, the latest Dell XPS 15 is a perfect all-rounder for power users and travelers needing a versatile portable machine. Overall, this model offers premium performance at the best possible price-quality ratio.
