You don't need a laptop with staggering specs to write code. The best laptops for programming maximize functionality in a few key areas that matter most.

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The best laptops

Our recommended models for every use case and platform.

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The factors to look out for are RAM, CPU threads, screen resolution if you don't intend to have external monitors, and battery life if you want to code on the go. A solid keyboard is also a plus if you don't want to purchase an external keyboard.

RAM, or Random Access Memory, is kind of like the short-term memory of your laptop. The more RAM you have, the more programs you'll be able to run at once without experiencing lagging. 

The CPU, or Central Processing Unit, processes and executes instructions. You don't need the most powerful CPU to write code, but having more threads/cores is always helpful.

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The screen resolution, battery life, keyboard, and weight of the laptop you choose come after the RAM and CPU in importance. If you plan to use the laptop for video editing or design work, you could prioritize the graphics card as well; if you have to attend video calls, a good webcam and mic are essential. 

Here are the best laptops for programming. 

MacBook Pro

Best laptop overall

CNET Pros & Cons Pros

• Customizable to how much CPU and RAM you need
• The upper limits of how much RAM and CPU you can have are staggering
• Liquid Retina display
• Now compatible with 8K displays

Cons

• Availability for new M2 Pro and M2 Max models starts on Jan. 24

More Details

Tech specs:RAM: Up to 96 GB with M2 Max chip  CPU: Up to 12 cores  Battery life: Up to 22 hours 

On Jan. 17, Apple announced its new MacBook Pro with top-notch processing power that expands the capabilities of previous models. It also includes 8K display support for the first time. The new Apple M2 Pro chip has up to 32 GB of unified memory, up to 12-core CPU, and up to 19-core GPU. The new Apple M2 Max chip has up to 96 GB unified memory, up to 12-core CPU, and up to 38-core GPU. Apple markets the M2 Pro and M2 Max as "the most powerful and efficient chip ever in a pro laptop" with a battery life of up to 22 hours. The new Pro is available beginning Jan. 24 and it starts at$1,999.

The MacBook Pro has always been a dependable choice for everyone from coding novices to programming experts. Even if you go with an older model with 16 GB RAM or fewer CPU cores, you'll still be in good shape.

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Microsoft Surface Pro X

Best tablet/laptop hybrid

CNET Pros & Cons Pros

• High-resolution touchscreen
• 15 hours of battery life
• Comes with detachable Surface Pro Signature Keyboard and Surface Slim Pen 2 at Best Buy
• Two USB-C ports, one USB-A port, and a dedicated charging port

Cons

• Smaller 13-inch display

More Details

Tech specs:RAM: Up to 16 GB  CPU: 8 cores Battery life: Up to 15 hours 

The Microsoft Surface Pro is completely mobile and ready to go with you. It runs on Windows 11 and features an all-day battery life of up to 15 hours. It has a touchscreen that could work in your favor if you're a student interested in taking notes with the included Surface Slim Pen 2 or if you like that added functionality. With a 13-inch screen and a detachable keyboard, it's a tablet-laptop hybrid. It weighs less than two pounds, making it extra portable and functional -- but you won't lose out on programming power. One aspect of the Surface Pro that I like is that even though it's a small laptop, it still has four ports, including a dedicated charging port, so you can connect to external monitors instantly, charge your phone, charge the laptop, and use a USB drive all at once. 

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LG gram

Best large-screen laptop

LG Pros & Cons Pros

• High processor and RAM
• Large screen
• 2 TB of storage
• Weighs 2.98 pounds

Cons

• Intel Iris Xe graphics card won't work well if you game regularly

More Details

Tech specs:RAM: 32 GB  CPU: 12th-Gen core i7  Battery life: Up to 17 hours 

This isthelaptop for programmers who want a large display on the go. The LG gram 17Z90Q has a sizable 17-inch screen with an AntiGlare 2560x1600 display -- but it still manages to be under three pounds in weight. This ultra-lightweight slim laptop packs in power with 32 GB of RAM, 2 TB of storage, and a 12-generation Intel core i7 processor with Intel Xe Graphics. The graphics card works for casual gamers, but it's not the best if you like to play games regularly. The LG gram comes with Windows 11 Home.

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Dell XPS 13 Plus

Best touchscreen laptop

Pros & Cons Pros

• 1 TB of storage
• 13.4-inch OLED touchscreen
• Weighs 2.77 pounds
• Has a thickness of 0.6 inches

Cons

• Intel Iris Xe graphics won't support intense gaming
• Screen could feel small for some
• Battery life will not support all-day use
• Only two ports

More Details

Tech specs:RAM: 32 GB  CPU: 12th-Gen core i7  Battery life: Up to 7 hours 

The Dell XPS 13 Plus has an OLED antireflective touchscreen, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage, and Windows 11. It is ultralight, weighing 2.77 pounds, and ultraslim, with a thickness of 0.6 inches. The CPU is an Intel 12th-generation core i7 Evo processor, which has high performance. The RAM is very high at 32 GB, which means it can support the programming needs of engineers, researchers, and other professionals. The downsides to this laptop are its lack of ports (only two Thunderbolt ports), battery life, and graphics card. 

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Asus Vivobook Pro Notebook

Best programming laptop for gamers

Newegg Pros & Cons Pros

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card
• 1 TB of storage
• HDMI port
• Backlit keyboard
• 16-inch screen
• Audio jack
• microSD reader

Cons

• For a creator's laptop, the design is lacking

More Details

Tech specs:RAM: 32 GB  CPU: 12th-Gen core i7  Battery life: Up to 11 hours 

The standout feature of the Vivobook Pro is the graphics card. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti is a high-end graphics card that allows for gaming at max settings. For programmers, the high system memory of 32 GB, the powerful Intel 12th-Generation Core i7 processor, and the large 16-inch screen all set the stage with substantial capabilities. The screen is ideal for coding, gaming, movies, video editing, and design so you can easily balance work and play on one device. I like the ports on this laptop -- you get an HDMI port, a USB Gen 1 Type-A port, two USB 2.0 Type-A ports, a Thunderbolt 4 port, an audio jack, and a micro SD card reader. If you're into both programming and gaming, this is the laptop for you. 

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What is the best laptop for programming?

The best laptop for programming is the MacBook Pro because of its customizable range, impressive RAM, powerful CPU, and high battery life. The other options on this list are equally impressive in different ways. Here's how each option on this list stacks up.

Laptop	Price	RAM	CPU	Battery Life
MacBook Pro	Starts at$1,999	Up to 96 GB with M2 Max chip	Up to 12 cores	Up to 22 hours
Microsoft Surface Pro X	Starts at$899	16 GB	8 cores	Up to 15 hours
LG gram	Starts at$1,799	32 GB	12th-Gen core i7	Up to 17 hours
Dell XPS 13 Plus	Starts at$2,099	32 GB	12th-Gen core i7	Up to 7 hours
Asus Vivobook Pro Notebook	Starts at$1,499	32 GB	12th-Gen core i7	Up to 11 hours

Which is the right laptop for you?

The right laptop for you depends on which functions you prioritize over others. Here are the use cases of each laptop. 

Choose this laptop...	If you want...
MacBook Pro	Dependable programming power with high capabilities
Microsoft Surface Pro X	Portability and a versatile tablet-laptop
LG gram	A large screen and an ultralight feel
Dell XPS 13 Plus	An OLED touchscreen and the Intel core i7 eco platform
Asus Vivobook Pro Notebook	A creator's laptop with a high-end graphics card and a large screen

How did we choose these best laptops?

You don't need the best computer ever made to write code. The main essential capabilities needed to code are a strong processor, storage, battery life, keyboard, and screen. Those last two components can be modified with an external monitor and keyboard, so they weren't top of mind when I selected these laptops. A powerful graphics card, a high refresh rate, a touch screen, and other extras were just that -- extras that could be nice to have but weren't essential. I focused on the experience of sitting down to code, and how I would want a solid battery life to take my work with me, a solid processor so that the laptop would be able to keep up with me, and as much RAM as possible so that I could run multiple applications at once. 

What laptop do most programmers use?

The answer to this question depends on the setting. College programmers are more likely to use a MacBook with great battery life and portability while programmers who receive laptops through work may use a PC. Budget-conscious programmers could also veer towards the PC route, as MacBooks are more limited in price and on the higher end of the spectrum. At the end of the day, it comes down to preference and budget.

How much RAM do programmers need?

The laptops on this list go up to 32 GB of RAM, although you might need less. Remember that RAM, or Random Access Memory, stores the data of the apps that you're currently using so that you can access them quickly. It's kind of like short-term memory: it fills up quickly, has a limited bandwidth, and is focused on the immediate tasks at hand. If you have limited RAM, say 8 GB or less, your computer is going to run more slowly, especially if you have tons of applications running or even a lot of memory-draining tabs open. Different applications, such as those used for video or photo editing, can have different RAM requirements.

Why is a MacBook best for programming?

MacBooks top this list for their quality and versatility. MacBooks generally have high-quality screens that make them comfortable to work on for extended periods of time. They are also thin and light, while packing a punch of power, so you can travel lightly but still effectively. On Jan. 17, Apple announced its new MacBook Pro with top-notch processing power and 8K display support. The Apple M2 Pro chip has up to 32 GB of unified memory, up to 12-core CPU, and up to 19-core GPU. The Apple M2 Max chip has up to 96 GB unified memory, up to 12-core CPU, and up to 38-core GPU. Apple markets the M2 Pro and M2 Max as "the most powerful and efficient chip ever in a pro laptop." Battery life is up to 22 hours. The new Pro is available beginning Jan. 24 and it starts at$1,999.

Are there alternative laptops for programming worth considering?

Yes, there are. The following alternatives are used widely and offer competitive specs.

Dell Precision 3000

$2,019 at Best Buy

Razer Blade 15

$3,300 at Best Buy

Lenovo Yoga 7i

$1,700 at Best Buy

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