Best laptop for programming | Good programming laptop 2020

The task of choosing the best laptop for programming and developers is not at all simple, as there are few specifications and features that should be considered to handle this demanding job without delays and with a good level of performance. Your processor should perform well, while doing multi-tasking. For this we have simplified the task for you, by listing below the best laptops for coding in 2020. We have chosen the Good programming Laptop or best laptops for coders and mobile app developers after rigorous testing and through customer evaluation. Best programming  Laptops 2020?

  • Python, PHP, C#, JavaScript, C, C++, Objective—C, Swift

Developing an android or an iPhone app, or developing a software, or coding a website; can be fun with a computer with perfect specifications and features needed for high-end and high-quality coding and programming tasks. Laptops and Computers for App development and software development must have high-performance CPU and a graphics card with high storage capacity (Although SSD is preferable).

The below list applies to .NET Framework, Visual C++, Java platform, Android SDK, Java EE, OpenGL, iOS app development using Swift and many other programming and app development tools. The below list can handle serious app development and programming software tools. Follow the below list to know the Good programming laptop and best laptop for programming

What should we look for in a laptop for Coding, Software Programming or computer Science major? In the below list I will review What specs you should  consider or go for When evaluating the purchase of a laptop for your App development or software development needs, and I will give you some recommendations in this regard from the point of view of Professional coders  and experienced developers. If you are a professional Software engineer or an experienced App developer and are trying to purchase a good laptop for coding, then you should know that As a Developer, Coder or a programmer, you need a latest fast intel processor; an i5 or i7 is a must. While. I3 could also handle these programming software’s, but I don’t recommend it.

Secondly, if your laptop has a SSD storage drive then you have hit the right deck. Because, SSD drives are much faster than traditional HDD drives. And, from my personal experience SSD’s are 4x – 6x faster than HDD’s.

Third is the graphics card, to handle graphics intensive applications. And, also laptop should appeal to a professional coder as well. All you need is to install your preferred Software or App editing applications or software development kit or framework like .NET Framework, Visual C++, Java platform, Android SDK, Java EE, OpenGL, iOS app development using Swift.

First of all for a professional programmer who dedicates 100% to programming and software design would not recommend using a laptop, it is preferable a computer with 2 or 3 screens, since for example to program webs always have to be with the backend code And the front-end, then it is very practical to place the code for eg php on one screen, java script code on another screen, etc.

Now if you need a laptop, hopefully you have another screen for the convenience of using 2 screens, also that is not low-end like celeron.

Also you have to think in which languages ​​you want to program because if you want to program for android you have to have ram quantities because android consumes many resources.

However the minimum laptop would have to be an I5 with at least 3 gigs of ram

Same for .net without forgetting that for .NET you need to install sqlserver that equally consumes resources

Now for languages ​​like php, python, c, c ++, you do not need as much machine

Now the final rule is that for a computer that is dedicated to this professionally always more is better, so if you have the resources you buy something good.

An expandable laptop, replaceable RAM slots, disk drives and battery. Video outputs, multiple USB and a large screen. The laptop that I describe, obviously pull more by the portable than by the laptop. If you do complex developments you will have to pull by a lot of power. Well, if you’re an Apple technology programmer, you do not have a choice, it must be one of that brand with the configuration available at the moment.

I recommend a gaming laptop with the features described above. In case your budget is low, the one that suits your possibilities but you can expand. Changing the drive by an SSD and adding more RAM will give your computer a new life, and you can do that later.

Other Scenario:

To choose a laptop that can use a programmer, it will depend on your Stack (that is, the technologies you use) and what you will develop, ie mobile applications, video games, etc.

For developers of Android applications and those who develop desktop applications with Windows, the need for a large screen will be essential to be comfortable with the design of interfaces, so you have to consider the use of screens with more than 14 inches .

As for the hardware features, I would recommend at least:

  • Intel Core i5 higher than 1.8 Ghz.
  • At least 4GB of RAM, recommended 8GB.

This is based on the fact that Android Studio consumes a lot of resources and takes too long to load them, and not solor that, in running many tasks like running the emulator. Something similar but, but to a lesser extent happens with Visual Studio for Windows.

For those who develop video games , the ideal will be a more powerful computer and similarly, screens 15 inches or more, since the design of 3D scenarios can be tedious. Certainly a laptop is not suitable in this regard for that task, but if we are forced to use it, we must opt ​​for powerful computers.

Unity3D tine almost the same effect on a computer as Android Studio, the initial load of resources is important but in this they are maintained for as long as we use it, since in real time we are running scripts and animations.

Get the most powerful laptop you can get : If you have to choose a laptop to work, carefully examine its features and invest if you can those that have more raw power. Better an i7, than an i5 than an i3. Remember that there are variants of i7 so you have to examine in detail, the clock frequency, the cache, etc.

Many buy a laptop thinking that they will give a specific purpose and does not require much power. Then they go on to ask why the processor or processors are always 100%, and why the applications are ‘frozen’ while the antivirus in the background you eat resources, you listen to a musical theme, you see a video of jokes on Youtube in the browser that you opened 20 windows, and you released a compilation of that giant mega project for a client.

On the other hand, any development tool will continue to evolve and will always demand more and more from your team, so it is a race that in the long run increases the team’s demands on an ongoing basis.

PS: Let’s not talk if you have to use Virtual Machines … you want to have a computer with power.

Memory : As Much As Possible (as much as possible). In 2020, a laptop with 4GB of Ram is a joke, unless you are developing with a text editor routines in assembler and DOS mode. As you begin to install software on your laptop, they will begin to take more and more resources, until your notebook becomes a cart. You’ll remember it when you open your browser and get up 6 or 7 pages with references to Node.js, tutorials, PHP, C #, and Stack Overflow where you will be reviewing the last error you got when compiling your application. My current recommendation is a minimum of 8GB (12GB or better 16GB / 32GB)

Screen : The boy is not always good . I have two laptops one 13.3 inches and one 14 “. I have the personal impression that 14 inches is the minimum acceptable size for a developer , since starting at 13.3 inches, the fonts will be appreciated smaller. It is clear that the letter can be enlarged, but then, it takes less space. It is a matter of taste and visual fatigue.

On the other hand, I would recommend that the displays are at least full HD (1920×1080) which is a measure that has become quite standard in the market. I do not have higher resolution screens, so I can not comment on that.

Auxiliary screens: yes, please . Avoid buying a laptop that lacks HDMI. This would mean that the laptop is old or lacks resources. Have an auxiliary display (with HDMI input preferably, or you can adapt it) so that you can extend your desktop to another screen. Working with 2 screens will increase your productivity enormously. On the other hand, you can connect your laptop to large screens (over 40 “) to make presentations or watch movies. Take an HDMI cable with you. It will be useful. Some ultraportables use a micro-HDMI, in that case you must have a cable with suitable adapter.

Hard drives : solid state, please . In my experience, a solid state 256GB disk is preferable to a 1TB mechanical disk. The speed of access, transfer and relative price is a balance that slopes towards solid state disks. If you are very concerned about the available space, consider a portable disk and make the most of cloud services, if possible.

Currently it is rare that you develop applications that are not based on github, Bitbucket or Google Drive, Dropbox, Amazon or Azure. So the projects have a good level of redundancy. If the computer is broken or something nefarious happens the development software is replicated on other computers, while the development is in some service in the cloud. This I could check in the worst way when they robbed my laptop 2 years ago. For the thief access to the same was blocked through a curtain of keys, and I was able to resume development immediately in another of my teams.

Technology: Use what you have in your favor. If you use a portable disk, make sure your next computer supports USB 3.0. The previous version (USB 2.0) allows to transfer in the BEST of the cases and with wind in favor 8MB / s. If you have a computer with USB 3.0 and a portable disk that supports USB 3.0 (both must support it) the file copy speed is much higher (in the order of 50 to 60MB sustained ). I suspect it may be better, but it’s what I’ve usually seen.

Free up USB slots as much as possible. On the other hand, the use of Bluetooth is almost a standard. If you are using a USB wireless mouse, switch it over a Bluetooth mouse. You’ll save a USB connection, plus the current USB mice consume very little power and have the option to auto shut down. My last Bluetooth mouse came out 10 dollars and 6 months ago it has the same battery (above rechargeable (!)).

DVD or not DVD: the current ultraportable trend advocates leaving the use of DVD. To be frank, the use of the cloud and the high-capacity (64GB or more) pendrives has left the DVD completely out of date and it is extremely rare (at least in my case) that you have to read a DVD. Almost all the software that is currently sold is made online and then a download link is provided. A DVD image is downloaded faster on the Internet than the time it takes to burn a DVD with the image.

Performance : the battery is very important. Consider laptops that at least can give you 6 hours of performance, although I have seen equipment that guarantees 10 hours of work offline. In real life, this is unlikely. You will always require the battery more than the specifications stipulate. If the features of the equipment says that it supports up to 10 hours without an electrical connection, consider yourself satisfied if at 6 hours of intense work your laptop is not with the tongue outside asking you for a close shot.

Keyboard: standard size if possible. The size of a keyboard is very important for a developer. Discard miniature keyboards, because you have to adapt to them. I think the market is wide enough for you to find a keyboard in which you feel really comfortable. Years ago I had a Thinkpad laptop. The keyboard was wonderful, reliable, comfortable and very convenient.

If the keyboard has direct access to the function keys (some have function keys, others use a combination of the Fn (function) key together with the numerals.) Think of which one is more comfortable for you or if you can form a habit with it .

Quality does not always mean exorbitant prices: you may think that all these characteristics lead to a laptop with excessive prices and you need a wallet fat enough to reach your ideal laptop.

In my case, I have obtained second hand equipment of excellent quality (i7, 8GB, 256GB solid state, 14 “screen) at very reasonable prices (U $ 500).

  1. New Apple MacBook Pro MPTT2LL/ABest laptop for programming Good programming laptop 2017

Advantages: 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.9GH, 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory RAM, Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB memory, Touch Bar and Touch ID
Disadvantages: High Price
Apple MacBook Pro MPTT2LL/A is the best programming laptop 2020. This Apple MacBook is the first in our list of best laptops to program for its excellent balance between power and price. Processor 2.9GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor with Turbo Boost up to 3.9GH and 8 – wire threading, combined with its graphics card Radeon Pro 560 with 4GB memory and 16GB 2133MHz LPDDR3 memory RAMGuarantee that you will have enough power to run and render all your programs in comfort, including your favorite graphics engines.
The processor mentioned above runs at a speed of 2.9GHz (3.9GHz with Turbo Boost) and has a 64-bit architecture that will take full advantage of the laptop’s RAM. The battery also does not disappoint, being able to last about 12 hours with relatively heavy use.
Its 15.6-inch screen at a resolution of 1366×768 pixels is nothing out of the ordinary, but it is more than enough for most and you will always have the option to connect the laptop to an external monitor via the HDMI port .
Most important advantage is that it has an SSD 512GB SSD storage and it is not as if the programming required extreme transfer speeds.  As an extra bonus, this laptop will also allow you to play next-generation video games with an excellent balance between fluidity and visual quality. Check Full Specs and Review
  1. Microsoft Surface LaptopMicrosoft Surface Laptop Best laptop for programming Good programming laptop 2017

Microsoft Surface Laptop is the best laptop for programming 2020 with a performance 7th generation Intel core i7 processor .

Advantages: More economical than the first option, Surface Laptop features a 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 256 GB of storage, 8 GB RAM, and up to 14.5 hours of video playback, Sleek, elegant design; ultra-thin and light laptop
Disadvantages: Less powerful than the first option, no dedicated graphics card, not suitable for gaming, Mid Price range for High performance laptop
We advanced to the second place of best laptops for programmers  for less than 1500 to 2000 dollars with Microsoft team. Specifically, this model is perfect for programmers who do not want to spend more than $1500 on a laptop.
And it is a laptop that is still powerful enough to handle any programming software and to run all your programs with relative ease. Of course, it is not optimal when running several virtual machinesbut to move in development environments like eclipse and Xampp you will be more than enough.
Its processor ( 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor with 64-bit architecture ) has 2 cores and 4 threads of subprocessing and runs at a speed of 4.0GHz. It also has 8GB of RAM but unfortunately does not have a dedicated graphics card, so it will not be as efficient when rendering animations or complex graphics engines. Some of what many disregard when they start programming.
However, its integrated graphics ( Intel HD graphics ) is more than enough for those who are just entering the world of video game programming, as well as those who program less demanding applications in the graphic field.
On the other hand, its screen maintains the best quality with edge-to-edge 13.5” PixelSense Display with touchscreen and ultra-thin bezel.
The advantage of not having a dedicated graphics, is that the laptop requires less power so its battery lasts longer. We talk about an average of 13 to 14.5 hours per charge with a relatively heavy use.  Check Full Specs and Review
  1. Apple MacBook Air MQD42LL/A Newest Version

    Apple MacBook Air MQD42LL/A Newest Version Best laptop for programming Good programming laptop 2017
    Apple MacBook Air MQD42LL/A Newest Version Best laptop for programming Good programming laptop 2020
Advantages: More compact design, 1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz, 256GB SSD storage, Intel HD Graphics 6000, 8GB RAM.
Disadvantages:  RAM is not up-gradable ( 8GB ) and has no dedicated graphics card.
In the third place we have a tactile model to give a little more color to our comparison of laptops to program. This Macbook Air is more expensive and slightly less powerful than the 2 devices mentioned above, but justifies it with a more compact design and its weght and size focused on those who need more portability.
Its screen is only 13 inches and despite that, runs at the resolution of 1440×900 pixels pixels. Its processor (1.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 processor with Turbo Boost up to 2.9GHz ) is slightly lower than the previous, but also has 2 cores, 4 threads of threading and runs at a decent speed of 1.9GHz.
Note that this notebook also has 8 GB of RAM ( 1600MHz ), SSD drive of 256GB and a range of about 12 hours; So its difference from the previous laptop is not so great (at least in these 2 categories).
The disadvantage is that it also does not have a dedicated graphics card (instead it has an Intel HD Graphics ), so it will not be very efficient when rendering the animations of your programming or your graphics engines. However, if you are starting to study programming and want a team with good portability to take your code wherever you go then it is a great option. This model can be among the best sellers in this category.  Check Full Specs and Review
  1. ASUS K501UW-AB78 Laptop for Programming

    ASUS K501UW-AB78 Laptop for Programming best programming laptop 2017 best laptop for coding
    ASUS K501UW-AB78 Laptop for Programming best programming laptop 2020 best laptop for coding

ASUS K501UW-AB78 is the best laptop for programming as well as gaming. .

Advantages: Powerful 6th-generation Intel Core i7-6500U 2.5GHz (Turbo up to 3.1GHz), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M gaming graphic card; 8GB RAM DDR4; 512GB SSD Storage, Gigabit Dual-Band 802.11AC ultra-fast Wi-Fi.
Disadvantages: Heavier than other laptops, Upto 5 hours battery life for extensive gaming (Although good for programmers – Up to 9 Hours)
When faced with the other laptops mentioned above, this Asus laptop does not loses the processing battle.
This screen runs at a resolution of  1920 by 1080 , so you will not have problems viewing content in HD.
  • 15.6” Full HD anti-glare display
  • Simple and classy brushed aluminum design
  • Full-sized chiclet keyboard with backlights
  • Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M discrete graphics
  • 8GB memory with 512GB Solid State Storage
  • Fast Internet connectivity with latest generation 802.11ac
However, this processor also has a 64-bit architecture , so it will also take advantage of the 8 GB of RAM ( DDR4 ) of this laptop to the maximum. This is one of the best and more powerful laptop . To be more specific, we are talking about an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M gaming graphic card.

You will be able to handle graphics engines or demanding animations with much efficiency, ant it is very powerful. In turn, it would be rare for you to work with animations when you are learning to program, at least in most cases.

It should be noted that you will not have to worry about the autonomy, as this laptop also arrives at 5-6 hours per load with relatively heavy use. In the same way, the internal storage is maintained in the 512 GB in SSD format Check Full Specs and Review

  1. Acer Aspire E 15 Budget Laptop

    Acer Aspire E 15 Budget Laptop Laptop for Programming best programming laptop 2017 best laptop for coding
    Acer Aspire E 15 Budget Laptop Laptop for Programming best programming laptop 2020 best laptop for coding

Acer Aspire E 15 is the best budget programming as well as gaming laptop  Check Full Specs and Review

Advantages: 7th Generation Intel Core i5-7200U Processor, cheaper price,NVIDIA GeForce 940MX with 2GB of GDDR5 Video Memory, 8GB DDR4 Memory, 256GB SSD, Up to 12-hours Battery Life
.
Disadvantages: Low Storage, Not good designed.
We are closing our benchmark of best laptops to program 2020 with another i5 programming laptop under $600, $700$, 800 courtesy of Acer. This notebook also allows you to optimize and program  apps much more easily than a standard laptop.
Another advantage to note is that it has an SD card reader and a USB port , so you can connect external storage units.
As if that were not enough, this processor also has Intel Turbo Boost technology , so you can automatically overclock to a 3.1GHz maximum The battery also is powerful, being able to last up to 12 hours per charge.
What it did lose power was its screen, which has a size of 15 inches with Full HD Widescreen Comfy View LED-backlit DisplayThis by far exceeds the high definition standard, but is still lower than the other screens in this list.
  1. Dell Inspiron i5577-5335BLK-PUS Laptop

    Dell Inspiron i5577-5335BLK-PUS Laptop for Programming best programming laptop 2017 best laptop for coding
    Dell Inspiron i5577-5335BLK-PUS Laptop for Programming best programming laptop 2020 best laptop for coding

Dell Inspiron i5577-5335BLK-PUS is one of the best laptop for programming and developers 2020. This laptop from features a latest fast 7th generation Intel Core i7 processor  that supports turbo boost up to 3.8 GHz. Ut us a quad-core intel processor. It also comes with a performance NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics. Other features include 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Check Full Secs and Review

Technical Specifications
Processor i7-7700HQ Quad Core
Operating System Windows 10 Home 64-bit English
Memory 16GB DDR4 2400 (8GBx2)
Video Graphics NV GTX 1050 4GB GDDR5
Hard Drive 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Media Card Reader 2 in 1 SD/MMC Card Reader, USB 3.0
Display 15.6″ FHD AG (1920 x 1080)
Wireless Connectivity 802.11ac + Bluetooth 4.2, Dual Band 2.4 & 5 GHz, 1×1
Sound & Keyboard Sound: MaxxAudio Pro (Windows), Stereo Speakers & Subwoofer; Keyboard: Backlit Keyboard
  1. Lenovo ThinkPad T470 Programming Laptop

    Lenovo ThinkPad T470 Programming Laptop best developer laptop 2017 best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students
    Lenovo ThinkPad T470 Programming Laptop best developer laptop 2020 best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students

Lenovo ThinkPad T470 is the best 14-inch programming, Coding and app development laptop for Computer science students doing CS Major. It is also a best business laptop that comes with 8GB RAM and 1TB hard drive. Features Intel Core i5-7200U (up to 3.1 GHz) processor and Intel HD Graphics.  Check Full Specs and Review

  1. ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501 Laptop

    Lenovo ThinkPad T470 Programming Laptop best developer laptop 2017 best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students
    Lenovo ThinkPad T470 Programming Laptop best developer laptop 2020 best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students

ASUS ZenBook Pro UX501VW is one of the best 6th generation 2.6GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 laptop for professional coders and Computer science students. It comes with a 512GB SSD, 15.6″ Touch IPS 4K Ultra­-HD display, and 16GB DDR4 RAM and 2GB Nvidia GTX960M Graphics card.  Check Full Specs and Review

  1. Samsung NP900X5N-L01US NotebookSamsung NP900X5N-L01US Notebook best developer laptop 2017 best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students

Samsung NP900X5N-L01US is the best 15-inch FHD programming laptop with 7th-gen Intel Core i7 processor. It features a 256GB SSD Storage, 8GB Memory, Backlit Keyboard and Fast Charging (20-min Charge for 2.1 Hours of Use). Also has a in-built Fingerprint Sensor. Check Full Specs and Review 

  1. HP Notebook 15-ay011nr Laptop

    HP Notebook 15-ay011nr Laptop best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students
    HP Notebook 15-ay011nr Laptop best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students

HP Notebook 15-ay011nr 15.6-Inch laptop is the best laptop for coding 2020 that comes with latest fast i5-6200U Processor 2.3GHz with turbo boost up to 2.8GHz and Intel HD graphics. Other features include 1TB 5400RPM Hard Drive, DVD Writer, Windows 10, 8 GB DDR3 and 15.6″ diagonal Full HD SVA antiglare WLED-backlit. Check Full Specs and Review

11 Acer Aspire V3

Acer Aspire V3 best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students
Acer Aspire V3 best laptop for coding best laptop for programming and computer science students

This laptop is super powerful, it has become the goal of many programmers. Its characteristics are the following. Check Full Specs and Review

  • It has a RAM is 16GB DDR3 SODIMM and the HDD HDD is 1TB What does this mean? Will perform multiple concurrent tasks agile (Too useful)
  • Includes a 4th generation Intel® Core ™ i7-5500U processor (2.4 GHz, 3.0 GHz Turbo, 4 MB Cache)
  • It has Dolby Digital Plus Home Theater technology that gives the Acer Aspire V3-572g i7 excellent audio.
  • Does not overheat.
  • Features 15.6 “LED HD (1366 x 768) 16: 9 Gloss

 12 HP Envy 15

This laptop is exaggerated fast We love it! It also has a lovely design, something that does not usually happen on computers designed for programmers. Its characteristics are GREAT:

Check Full Specs and Review

– It has an aluminum structure and is exaggeratedly thin (12.9mm)

– Weighs 1.27 kg Hallelujah! A moderately light notebook.

– The battery can last up to 10 hours

– It has an Intel® Core ™ i5 processor of 6.  generation , up to 512 GB SSD

– It has full HD or QHD + screen, seeing the photos on this PC is touching reality.

– You have a fingerprint reader.

13 Apple Macbook Pro

Yes, I know, we are not very friendly to Apple, however this laptop is perfect for code development and graphics-based programming. So it is worth bringing it to collation, in addition it is very aesthetic. It has the following characteristics:

– The 15-inch model has five million pixels and the 13-inch model has a little more than four million.

– It has Trackpad Force Touch that provides a precise click.

– It has Intel Dual Core and Quad Core processors.

– Flash storage based on PCIe faster.

– Offers up to 10 hours of battery life.

Check Full Specs and Review

14 Dell XPS 13

This PC has an impeccable performance, measures only 6mm (at its narrowest point) and although it is not designed with programmers in mind, it is perfect because of its features:

– It has a HD display of 33.782 cm (13.3 “)

– It has glass secured Gorilla.

– Starts in just 8 seconds

– It has second generation Intel Core i7 processors and HD 3000 graphics.

Check Full Specs and Review

These are the best Laptops to program in any language Do you know another?

Conclusion

The list which you have seen above, provides you with the  best laptop for web development and good laptops for programming. So, if you are a professional coder or an experienced web developer or a software app developer then you can share your views in the comment below and can help our reader with your suggestions.

Please, provide your own list of best programming, coding and web development laptops of 2020, which you think are worth?

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