Your next laptop for coding and programming to work as smoothly as possible, eliminating bottlenecks and letting you run multiple programs at once. That's why we've rounded up the best laptops for programming — with massive savings available if you find a good deal during Prime Day.
The best laptop for coding or programming depends on your own usage patterns. Fundamentally, you'll want at least a new high-end CPU and 16GB RAM. There's no specific need for a dedicated graphics card, unless you're running hefty machine learning workloads or working in scientific or visual modeling, but if you spot a model with an Nvidia or AMD GPU for a good price, you should definitely consider it.
Our guide includes various options for different price points and needs, from portable lightweights to heavy-duty workstations, and we've used various benchmarking tests to figure out which model is the best for you, from CPU tests to display calibration.
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The quick list
The MacBook Pro is a machine that's ideal for programmers with plenty of screen real estate and a powerful processor to handle workloads with ease.
The best of the best is the 16-inch MacBook Pro (M4 Max), which is exceptional in every category
The Dell Pro 13 Premium boasts great performance in a compact package if you're willing to compromise on minor bugbears.
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The Asus ProArt PX13 has a stunning screen and powerful hardware for excellent portable power.
The new Microsoft Surface Laptop is a fantastic device that packs plenty of high-end hardware into a small chassis for less than $1,000.
The HP Elite Dragonfly Gen 4 is a sophisticated laptop that weighs just over 2 lbs and looks the part too.
The Razer Blade 16 is engineered for high performance and includes a powerful GPU for AI or visual workloads.
This 2-in-1 device can unlock your portability while you're on the move, and it comes with a stunning screen.
Best laptops for coding & programming we recommend in 2025
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Best laptop overall
✅ You need a big screen: You want full immersion at all times, especially when there's option to use an external monitor.
✅ You want really lengthy battery life: This laptop will last you well over a full day when you're using it.
❌ You don't need to run demanding workloads: The M3 Pro chip offers more firepower than the vanilla M3 — which itself is a great CPU.
❌ You need something more portable: There are smaller and lighter devices out there, including the 14-inch MacBook Pro.
🔎 The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) is a terrific device for programming and has plenty to offer if you need something with plenty of power. ★★★★½
Ideally, programmers will need the best components and a healthy dose of RAM for a laptop that can handle the right sort of workload. There's little that you can put past MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) given its custom Apple silicon is among the best that money can buy.
It also comes packaged with 18 GB RAM as a minimum, as well as integrated graphics cable of handling any machine learning or artificial intelligence (AI) related tasks. This is given a boost thanks to the newly integrated Apple Intelligence features that enhance on-device AI workflows.
That all comes packaged with a sharp 16-inch Liquid Retina XDR display that can shine incredibly brightly — and a rich collection of ports such as HDMI and Thunderbolt 4 ports to keep you connected at all times. Beyond its core hardware, we are also impressed with the battery life MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro), which Apple claims can reach up to 24 hours — although in reality this is much more likely to reach the high teens. The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) also comes with a fast charger as standard.
You may well consider the MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4), which is powerful enough to handle compiling tasks while also being suitable for coding on the go — but you get that little extra firepower with the MacBook 16-inch (M4 Pro). You also benefit from a much larger display to really immerse yourself in your work. It's less versatile, for obvious reasons, but still light enough to transport reasonably comfortably and work on the move — you won't need to worry much about plugging it into an external monitor either where none is available.
This is not a cheap laptop, however, and might be considered overkill if you don't require a machine that can handle the more intensive tasks, in which case you should consider the M4 version — which is still plenty good enough.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | The largest MacBook you can buy with a stunningly immersive display |
Functionality | Has everything you could ask for from a premium MacBook |
Performance | Excellent performance but you can upgrade to the M4 Max for ultimate firepower |
Most powerful laptop for programming
✅ You want the best money can buy: There's no competing with the M4 Max chip for intensive programming workloads.
✅ You want to work with visuals: The immersive 16-inch display is perfect for game development or other graphics-based work.
❌ You are striving for value: The M4 Max MacBook is very expensive, and the base M4 model can handle most you throw at it.
❌ You need a portable machine: There are much lighter and smaller machines out there than can handle what you need them to.
🔎 The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max) is the ultimate powerhouse and effectively a portable workstation — but only worth it if you need the best of the best. ★★★★
The MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Max) is an absolute beast and the most powerful laptop that a coder or programmer can buy — but it comes at a heavy cost.
The M4 Max chip is the best Apple has to offer right now and barely breaks a sweat no matter what you throw at it — including the most intensive machine learning model training tasks. The M4 Max also comes with a 30-core GPU to handle graphics rendering or AI workloads, so you can guarantee you have a machine set up for anything, Indeed, whether you work with graphics, with AI, or compiling code on a daily basis, this laptop can take on the world and leave you with plenty of capacity to spare. That, coupled with its excellent battery life.
You also benefit from one of the best displays that you can find in a laptop, which is particularly useful if you're working with visuals or in game development. Its GPU core count also means you can plug it into several external monitors and expect things to continue running smoothly, depending on how you need to use the device.
It's worth saying, however, that most professional software engineers or developers will be just fine using the M4 Pro MacBooks or even the base M4 model, depending on their specific needs. The M4 Max is really only reserved for those who either have the cash to burn or want a machine that can take on the most intensive tasks. In that sense, if you're striving for value, we'd look elsewhere — given you may end up having a lot of spare capacity that goes unused.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Great minimalist design |
Functionality | Heavy and not as compact as the smaller MacBooks but plenty of ports |
Performance | Unrivalled performance — but verges on overkill |
Best Windows laptop for programming
✅ Buy it if you need a huge battery life: Lasting close to 25 hours in our test, the Dell Pro 13 Premium's battery life is extraordinary.
✅ Buy it if you want high connectivity: This is a great machine to use while on the move, and includes an array of useful ports.
❌ Don't buy it if you want a large screen: This is a fairly small device and its display isn't much to write home about.
❌ Don't buy it if you want a stylish computer: We didn't love its overall aesthetic and you won't turn many heads with it.
🔎 The Dell Pro 13 Premium offers plenty where it matters, especially in terms of its battery life and performance, making it a great coding laptop for working on the move. ★★★★
Dell's newly redesigned family of laptops has taken the line of premium Windows machines in a new direction, with the Dell Pro 13 Premium one of the most interesting laptops for coding and programming.
The new Dell Pro 13 Premium replaces the previous XPS line and includes the latest components — including an Intel Ultra 2 258V CPU. While it's pricey, this machine also packs a punch in terms of its battery life, meaning you can last close to 25 hours on the move without needing to recharge.
The new design resembles a MacBook Pro in many ways, but it's far less inspiring due to the gray coating on its chassis. That said, the build quality is excellent and it is exceptionallylightweight. We enjoyed using it immensely on the go, as a result, although typing using its keyboard might take some getting used to due to the short travel distance of its keys. This very much carries on the theme we saw in the recent XPS laptops. The panel is also a little underwhelming, but good enough for most uses outside of any visual-based work and extensive video playback.
This machine is also highly functional, with an array of ports at your disposal, including USB-A and HDMI. That means you can enjoy a clutter-free experience while working on the move. This is a little pricey, and it is predominantly aimed at professionals, but is certainly a worthwhile investment if you're looking for a great Windows machine to code with.
Read our full Dell Pro 13 Premium review.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Bland, corporate design |
Functionality | Extremely compact and has plenty of ports |
Performance | The new Intel chips aren't a massive upgrade, but battery life is exceptional |
Best for coding on the move
✅ You want a 2-in-1 with a graphics card: With a powerful Nvidia graphics card, this is primed for intense work or video playback.
✅ You want to code on the move: This machine is highly light and portable.
❌ You need a big screen: The 13.3-inch display is stunning but won't draw you in compared with larger machines.
❌ You aren't going to make the most of its versatile form factor: This is a pricy laptop, so it's only worth purchasing if you're going to use it to its full potential.
🔎 The Asus ProArt PX13 is a fantastic lightweight machine that has the added benefit of a stunning screen and a hybrid form factor. ★★★★
You aren't likely to find a dedicated graphics card in a lightweight 2-in-1, which is one of the main reasons we were drawn to the Asus ProArt PX13. While this machine is designed for creatives, you can certainly make the most of its high-end hardware and great graphics output if you're a programmer or software engineer.
One of its most appealing features is its hybrid form factor, meaning you can switch up between the conventional clamshell form and various tablet or touchscreen configurations. Weighing just 3 lbs (1.4 kg), it's a great choice for those who need great performance in a compact package so they can code while away from the desk.
Under the hood is a blisteringly fast AMD processor and a fantastic Nvidia graphics chip – meaning you can run all kinds of software or compile code with ease. The 3K OLED display is also gorgeous, with deep inky blacks and vibrant colors. All of this comes at a steep cost, however, so make sure you're really going to make the most of its hybrid form factor.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Elegant and versatile design |
Functionality | Highly portable and great for coding on the move |
Performance | Fantastic performance thanks to high-end components |
Best budget laptop
✅ You want exceptional value: For under $1,000 you get excellent performance in a compact package.
✅ You plan on working on the go: The Surface Laptop 7 is thin, light and runs really cool while on the go thanks to its NPU.
❌ You want an OLED device: The LCD panel is strong but won't match up with the vivid colours and inky blacks of OLED technology.
❌ You want something with more versatility: You may want something you can use as a tablet, or with more ports than the 13-inch Surface Laptop.
🔎 The Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (13.8-inch) offers exceptional value for money — with high-end components and an excellent overall build quality in under $1,000. ★★★★½
Microsoft has just refreshed its range of Surface Laptop devices — which is now in its seventh generation — with 13.8-inch and 15-inch versions that come fitted with powerful internal hardware in a compact and portable package. The AI-ready PCs are a great fit for programmers on a budget who want to make the most of their hard-earned dollars while finding a machine that's powerful enough to run demanding tasks.
Although we have reviewed its larger cousin, the 15-inch variant, we especially love how portable the 13.8-inch version is, weighing almost 3 lbs — and it comes with a high-end ARM-based Qualcomm chip that rivals Apple's custom silicon, alongside a crisp LCD touchscreen display. All of this comes at just under $1,000 — which is a fantastic deal given how much many high-end machines can go for. There are one or two compromises you will be making, however, including the fact you don't get as much storage space with this configuration — just 256 GB.
There's also the fact that the new Microsoft Surface Laptops are, unfortunately, a little plain-looking to the eye. Microsoft has also ditched the soft Alcantara material that lines the keyboard and trackpad for an all-aluminum design that sits in line with other machines. As a result, this clean-cut and minimalist design lacks some oomph and won't be for everyone, especially those looking for a laptop with a bit more flair. But that says nothing about the same fantastic build quality you should expect from high-end Surface machines, and they certainly feel great to use regardless.
Thanks to the in-built NPU, you also benefit from amazing battery life and performance can reach new heights thanks to the fact you can offload a lot of intensive workloads to this smart little component, which traditionally a CPU or GPU may have handled. For under $1,000 you could do much worse than the Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, although consider upgrading to a more beefed up version for a little more storage space.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Laptop 7th Edition review.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Minimalist design can appear plain |
Functionality | Lacking in ports but highly portable and compact |
Performance | Great components and an NPU |
Best lightweight laptop for coding
✅ You want the lightest high-end laptop: At 2.2 lbs, there's little beating the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 for how lightweight it is.
✅ You don't need the most powerful machine: Last year's components and no GPU mean it's slightly underpowered — but perfect for most workloads.
❌ You want a larger display: Its 13.5-inch screen is on the smaller side and won't be suitable if you need something more expansive.
❌ You want the best value for money: Despite its fantastic build quality and weight, there will be options out there that offer more power for less.
🔎 The HP Elite Dragonfly G4 is the last in a fantastic series of ultra-lightweight notebooks that marry style with substance in a compact unit. ★★★★½
The HP Elite Dragonfly line of business notebooks was an exceptional family of devices that married style with substance — boasting an exquisite design and build quality coupled with premium components for a high-powered overall experience. That is until HP reportedly discontinued it. But you can still pick up the final entry in the family, the HP Elite Dragonfly G4, for under $2,000 — and it's plenty powerful to run many programming workloads.
For something so light to feel so premium is also a boon — but has, by now, come to be expected from a manufacturer that specializes in versatile machines. Not only does it only weigh just 2 lbs approximately but it includes a full plethora of ports including two USB-Cs with Thunderbolt 4, a USB-A port with Power Delivery, HDMI and a headphone / mic combo jack — which is far more than you may expect in even many high-end 16-inch laptops. This really is a laptop unlike many others.
Despite the HP Elite Dragonfly Gen 4 featuring the previous generation CPU, we would still recommend it as the best lightweight laptop you can use. The platform at the heart of the HP Elite Dragonfly G4 should be capable enough of handling moderate-to-heavy workloads, but the lack of a GPU might also bite if you want something that can lean into the machine learning space or if you wish to work with visuals. Similarly, the display is nothing to scream about at the sight of OLED panels but offers clear and crisp visuals.
There's little putting past it for the majority of tasks you'll need a high-end machine for — and ultimately it's not going to be beaten for how lightweight it is. If you can move past the lack of state-of-the-art components in a machine that is, by now, approximately a year old, you will have a fantastic device at your hands that is perfect for using to work on the move.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Engineered to impress and stylish |
Functionality | One of the lightest laptops ever made |
Performance | Strong performance but specs are slightly outdated now |
Best laptop for graphics
✅ You need something to run the most intense workloads: A high-end GPU and powerful CPU make this an exceptionally high-performing machine.
✅ You routinely work with graphics: Pairing its Nvidia graphics card with a stunning 240 Hz OLED screen makes it a must-have.
❌ You want a portable laptop: This is one of the heavier and bulkier laptops in our guide and isn't suitable for working on the move.
❌ You're working to a budget: The Razer Blade 16 will set you back a fair whack, especially if you don't need something this powerful.
🔎 The Razer Blade 16 is an exceptional gaming laptop that can give your programming endeavors a massive boost — but be wary of its pricing and poor portability. ★★★★
Although a gaming laptop may not be your first instinct when looking for the best laptop for coding or programming, these machines are engineered for high performance and smooth graphical output — and often come with stellar screens. That is certainly true for the Razer Blade 16 (2025), which acn give your coding endeavors a productivity boost – let alone a device that you can use to spin up the latest gaming titles. We especially love its minimalist design and impressively premium build quality — it looks stunning and it feels great to use.
Beneath the bonnet, its internal components are among the best you can find with an AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor with an extremely powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card. Alongside 16 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD in the base configuration, you have a machine built for workstation-level performance. The inclusion of the Nvidia chip also means you can comfortably rely on this machine for intensive video or 3D rendering tasks alongside compiling code. If you're working with visuals or graphics too, in game development, for example, you will also love the vibrance of the 16-inch OLED display. This technology tends to reproduce vibrant colors and exceptional contrast — with a black illumination level of practically zero — meaning deep and inky blacks. But it also benefits from a super-smooth 240 Hz refresh rate, and a QHD+ resolution.
There are a few downsides, including the fact it's a bulky machine and very heavy, so don't expect to have an easy time lugging it around with you if you're often on the move. It's also steeply priced — although we wouldn't go so far as to say it represents poor value for money, because you're still getting a monstrously powerful machine and a stunning display in a well-engineered and exquisitely designed chassis. Gaming laptops, however, also tend to have weaker battery life than their cousins designed purely for maximum productivity, so you'll need to bear that in mind too when considering the Razer Blade 16 or any gaming machine for that matter.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Exquisite minimalist design |
Functionality | Highly versatile and can suit many requirements |
Performance | Exceptional performance thanks to high-end chips |
Best hybrid/2-in-1 laptop
✅ You want an OLED display: This laptop offers plenty of oomph in its dazzling OLED screen, which isn't the brightest but boasts high color accuracy ratings.
✅ You want a portable device: This 2-in-1 is highly versatile, slimline and relatively lightweight at 2.95 lbs (1.34 kg).
❌ You want the most powerful machine: Benchmarking data suggests the Intel Core Ultra 7 (Series 2) chip isn't a massive upgrade on the previous generation.
❌ You want more heavy-duty visual processing: The Intel Arc Graphics chip performed well but you aren't going to get as much juice as you would with a dedicated graphics card.
🔎 The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is an exquisite machine to use, thanks to its hybrid form factor and OLED panel. While performance flags a little, it's plenty smooth enough to code with. ★★★★½
The HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is easily one of the best devices from the manufacturer's new line-up after it migrated away from the Envy and Spectre branding of old. What makes this a great laptop for coding and programming is its versatility and lightweight nature — with sleek dimensions and a great build quality.
Under the hood, the Intel Core Ultra (Series 2) processor is an upgrade on last year's in terms of its efficiency, which translates into a longer battery life. The performance gains are marginal, which is the only downside, but the graphics output is much improved. Connectivity options are relatively limited, unfortunately, with only three USB-C ports at your disposal — so you'll need to carry an dock if you're away from the desk. That's a minor price to pay for its compact dimensions, though.
The crowning glory, however, is a crisp and vibrant 120 Hz OLED panel that draws you into its display. This is an absolute delight to use and makes it a wonderful option to work with on the go. Combine this with a great keyboard and touchpad and you have an excellent machine on your hands that is a delight to use.
Read our full HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 review.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Compact, thin and light — and a stunning blue finish |
Functionality | Very versatile and portable |
Performance | An all-rounder that will suit most needs, but not the most intensive of workloads |
Our expert consultant
Keumars is the technology editor at Live Science. He has written for a variety of publications including Space.com, ITPro, The Week Digital, ComputerActive and TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a technology journalist for more than five years, having previously held the role of features editor with ITPro. His expertise reviewing laptop goes back seven years, and he's gotten hands-on with models of all different shapes, sizes and price points in this time.
Best laptops for coding and programming frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Which laptop is best for coding and programming?
We think the Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro) is the best laptop for coding and programming due to its powerful programming power, excellent high resolution display, and brilliant keyboard which makes it a pleasure to type code into.
What kind of laptop do I need for coding?
We'd generally recommend a laptop with a high-end processor and a minimum of 8 GB RAM for lightweight coding and programming, or 16 GB minimum for more advanced tasks. More RAM is better suited to larger, more complex processes but 8 GB should be able to handle most basic demands. You'll also need something with a decent GPU if you want to work on the more visual development side.
What laptop screen should I use for coding?
Larger screens such as a 16-inch display are bigger and clearer and reduce eye strain, especially when working with long strings of code. However, this also reduces portability and battery life. If using external monitors for the majority of the time we'd recommend a slightly smaller screen on a laptop if you also need good portability.
What is the difference between coding and programming?
Coding is the term we use to cover writing in language that is specially designed for computer hardware. Code is usually written in short sections that go line by line, so the results usually look more like poetry at a glance than like written paragraphs.
Whereas programming is the umbrella term for a large discipline that covers a variety of jobs. A program is a complete, usually well organized assembly of code, art assets, sounds, and more that work together for a specific purpose.
Apple Macbook or Windows PC laptop, which is better?
Both types of laptop systems have their merits. Windows laptops generally have components that are easier to upgrade yourself, like storage and RAM, whereas Apple Macbooks can be developed in such a way that components which seem identical in spec on paper can perform much more efficiently.
How we test laptops
Choosing the best laptop for coding and programming could feel like a bit of a minefield, but much of it depends on how advanced your needs are. You may, for example, only need a low-budget machine if you're just starting out, or you could do with something that's more heavy duty with a powerful GPU if you're a seasoned software engineer or want to dabble in machine learning.
We test all our laptops to the same standard whether MacBook or Windows, running various benchmarks and tests — as well as getting hands-on with the machine — to determine what it's like using it and how it performs depending on what you might be looking for in a device. We run CPU and GPU benchmarks using Geekbench 6 to test a laptop's performance, while we run CrystalDiskMark to test how well its hard drive or SSD can handle data transfers.
Testing a laptop's display involves using a specialized display calibrator that can detect brightness levels, color accuracy, color volume, any undersaturation or oversaturation in the RGB space, as well as distortions against what we expect. We compare and contrast these results to determine how well the display may be suited to, say, video editing or other uses.
We also test the battery life of all laptops we review in a consistent way to make comparisons viable. We run a looped video in specific conditions with all automatic brightness and contrast settings turned off and we measure how long the laptop lasts before it runs out of battery.
Beyond benchmarking, we use these laptops day-to-day and run informal stress tests like playing several 4K YouTube videos at once, browsing, and using other applications a typical user might open. We also type with the device and get a general feel for what it's like carrying it around with us.
